Memoirs of a Newb (kind of a read)

Fling · Newbie Joined: 03 Jul 2006 Posts: 35 City: Atlanta

So its almost been a calendar year since last summer and I figured I would post about my first summer wakeboarding, and hopefully answer a lot of questions that I constantly see on this board that I myself had at one point. I started wakeboarding mid august, so im pretty weak in the trick department, I just worked on the basics. So without ado, the questions I had:

Q: What size board should I get?

A: I got a 138, I should have gone bigger. I had heard a lot about bigger boards being heavy, but that only seems to apply to older boards. So my advice, bigger is usually better. Im a tall guy at 6'3 and 185 lbs so i need a bigger board this year. It doesnt mean i was falling over every second from the board being too small, it is just tough to get good pop and the landings can be hard. Best advice is to try it out (if you can).

Q: Used or new board?

A:After some searching I got a good used board for 200 bucks (04 HL Temet) over in the classifed forum. I bought new bindings and the whole setup cost $350. Less than half the cost of a new setup. Now I am replacing the setup this year, but now I have a good loaner board. I say if its your first setup and your new to the sport, buy used because you dont really know your style of riding and what will be good for you. This applies for a lot of sports / activites. Why waste the cash?

Q: Gloves or no gloves?

A: I used gloves all the time kneeboarding and never had a problem with handlepasses. So i use them wakeboarding, they save my hands from getting ripped up during my powersets that I would do.

Q: Fins or finless?

A: Oh boy, this question. My advice, try it. Its not hard to put them on and off. Surface tricks are easier without and you learn how to edge properly. With fins, landings tend to stick better and edging is much more solid.

Q: Does a tower help?

A: It helped me a lot. I was able to get a pull behind a boat with a tower vs my boat and it was night and day on the amount of air I got. HOWEVER!!!!!! I was in a very bad situation as the ski hook on my boat was busted (not anymore!) so i had to use one of those crappy V lines that connected to the tie down loops. So the second I got air, I was getting pulled down.

Q: How do I stay in shape in the offseason?

A: Excercise. For me I had a simple regiment 3 to 4 times a week that worked most of the muscles i will use to wakeboard.
1 set of 30 pushups
1 set of 30 situps
1 sets of 10 with dumbell curls (pullups are better if you can do them)
Rest 1 minute and then do that 4 more times
After those 4 sets, I would go run 2 miles.
I didnt start at these numbers, i worked up to them. If things start to get easy, just do more situps/pushups/curls/miles.

Also, snowboarding helps a lot to keep you in shape, I just didnt have the fortune to do that all the time.

Q: How do I land <insertrandomtrick>?

A: Go to a wakeboard school or hang out with those that are good. Teaching is best done in person. I tell you it sucked how long it took me to figure out a proper progressive edge on my own. I plan on spending a good week in orlando learning how to get better.

Whew, that's all for now, feel free to ask questions, because I wont be a newb forever and soon ill be an arrogant bastard who cruises these forums waiting to post on the first new topic. Anybody riding in the ATL area or lake hartwell, feel free to give a shout. Im always willing to ride, even today.

spyd4r · Addict Joined: 22 Apr 2006 Posts: 701

cool information for future newbs

Improvise · Criminal Joined: 24 Oct 2006 Posts: 66 City: Columbia

Blindside_137 · Posted: Apr 17, 2007 3:32 pm Post subject:

nicely done my friend...

Elysia · Outlaw Joined: 13 Apr 2007 Posts: 105

uhm...i am in the ATL area....

kdip · Posted: Apr 17, 2007 4:38 pm Post subject:

nice work!

mwb shorty · Outlaw Joined: 07 Dec 2006 Posts: 179 City: Yo mom

that is a nice guide for up and comers

Orange Peel · Newbie Joined: 11 Apr 2007 Posts: 37 City: Gilbert, AZ

Thanks for the info, it is really good info!!

Fling · Newbie Joined: 03 Jul 2006 Posts: 35 City: Atlanta

HHI Dave · Posted: Apr 18, 2007 9:22 pm Post subject:

I'm in almost exactly the same situation as you and I concur with just about every word you said.

Except for the gloves, Nancy. Mr. Green

Seriously though, good post and one that I can relate to. Cool

Also I can't emphasize enough how much difference some competent coaching can make. The three days I spent at TWC probably equated to 3 months of self-taught trial and error in terms of skill sharpening.

WtSteve · Outlaw Joined: 10 Aug 2006 Posts: 112 City: Atlanta

Damn, I really wanna go to TWC but prices just seem off the charts for me right now, not to mention its probobly booked for the entire summer. Coaching is definatly helpful though, one of my good friends boyfriends is an intermediate/advanced rider and he came out with us for a day, and I cannot explain how much a difference it made having someone explain it to you, and even ride doubles with you telling you what to do on the water right before you do it.

Nice guide! Very Happy

Seth818 · Criminal Joined: 15 Mar 2007 Posts: 69 City: Enid

very informative

waketek516 · Criminal Joined: 13 May 2007 Posts: 58 City: Long Island

Good information!

I'm heading down to Shaun Murray's school in July to get some one on one time with good instructors. Laughing