Wakeboard virgin - help with the basics!!

Yfendo · Newbie Joined: 17 Sep 2006 Posts: 2

Just started wakeboarding a few weeks back, both myself & the boat driver have no previous experience of wakeboarding.
On the first few attempts I was unable to get out of the water. I came home with bruised knuckles & toes.
I've tried to follow the tips offered on other postings but now wonder if we are driving the boat wrong. We have been gunning the engine from a stand-still (skiing style), is this right or are we doing something else wrong?!

hyperlite58 · Outlaw Joined: 15 Mar 2006 Posts: 228

well u can gun it but it sounds like ur having a hard time hanging on so i would try strting out a little slower just to make it a bit easier

Xanadu · Outlaw Joined: 09 Sep 2006 Posts: 129 City: Ottawa

1. if the rope is being pulled out of your hands, slow down at the start.
2. dont try to stand up too fast, wait until you're going like 10mph before you try to stand up, other wise you'll just fall back over.

Deyeme · Newbie Joined: 07 Aug 2006 Posts: 36 City: Troy

I don't think there is much of a "wrong boat" for getting started, but there is VERY MUCH a "wrong start" !

I learned and currently ride behind a Kawasaki Jetski STX 3-seater. Not exactly great for mad air, but you can ride around and learn some surface stuff behind it. Anyway, if you "gun it" with that, It'd probably rip your arms right off. So my wife and I both learned to "feel" the pull from the one on the board, and give/take criticism on starts too fast, too slow, etc.

The driver and the boarder have to work together to get the boarder up out of the water. If you can, try to find someone that's driven for a newbie before, and have him/her pull you up for your first start.

Justin 25 · Addict Joined: 29 Aug 2006 Posts: 797

Yfendo, it should be a slow start and build up to about 18 mph. If that doesn't work go faster, and it should work.....(by faster i DO NOT mean faster than 18-20 mph) It's definitely better to go slow than fast, faceplants aren't fun at high speeds.

Xanadu · Outlaw Joined: 09 Sep 2006 Posts: 129 City: Ottawa

Justin 25 · Addict Joined: 29 Aug 2006 Posts: 797

Xanadu, haha, yeah.....too fast your arms get ripped off too slow your board is a foot under the water....can't beat that. Laughing

SeaLyon · Posted: Sep 21, 2006 2:08 pm Post subject:

We always start out fairly slow and get on top the board right off the bat. You can stay squated until the speed is up.there is way to much board space to try and force your way up like on a ski.

jlaws · Addict Joined: 16 Sep 2006 Posts: 832 City: NC

hang on tight, with all your might

Yfendo · Newbie Joined: 17 Sep 2006 Posts: 2

Thanks for all your advice. Passed on your comments to my mate who drives the boat.
Got out on the water again yesterday. Started off slow, gradually building the speed and popped up straight away!! Stayed up for perhaps quarter of a mile before I put too much weight on my heels and fell backwards into the water (got to check the other Newbie posts to see what I'm doing wrong here).
Second start, popped straight up again!! Gonna have to ditch the skis now, this wakeboarding is much more fun!!!!!
Thanks again to all those who posted replies - keep it up!

jer4011 · Newbie Joined: 23 Sep 2006 Posts: 26 City: Pensacola

My wife went out with us and couldn't get up. She told her boss at work about it and he let her borrow a DVD called The Book (instructional video). It said lay on your back with board floating in front of you. Let the boat pull your chest to your knees and then your butt towards your ankles. From there you should come out of the water side-sliding. NOw just turn the board into position. After watching the DVD with her, I helped her practice the process on land just pulling on the rope for her and the next time we went out she got up the first time. I hoped I explained this right, it helped her alot.
Good Luck

Justin 25 · Addict Joined: 29 Aug 2006 Posts: 797

Yfendo, nice job. Now just work on your moving around Very Happy