Surface faceplants

Lady Ortunas · Outlaw Joined: 09 Jul 2006 Posts: 109

I've looked and can't find an answer to my question and situation which is this:

I started riding last summer (2001 Hyperlite Cruiser 140)and took off the fins almost immediately. I started doing the surface 180's, 360's no problem along with riding switch, getting up switch, butterslides, etc. But I couldn't clear the wake with the board I was using no matter what I did and I felt like I had the proper technique down.

So I bought a new board, a 2006 O'Brien Vixen 132 (more my size as well). Being that I liked my board loose, I removed the center fins but could do nothing about the molded fins obviously. Instantly, I had no trouble with W2W jumps (still learning TS W2W, but gradually improving thanks to this bulletin board).

Unfortunately my new problem is that I've lost my ability to do any of the surface tricks I was doing before because the molded fins seem to take me out every time. So now I'm back to how I was before, because I can't get my board to switch without eating it. No more fun 360's out in the flats. No more butterslides. No more switching from goofy to regular and doing little jumps and things. Unless I want whiplash and I've had plenty so far.

Any suggestions on how to adjust and get back to doing all of the stuff I was before without wrecking everytime?

LakeIolaLuke · Posted: Jul 15, 2007 3:36 pm Post subject:

Try pumping a little bit before you do your 180, like doing an ollie an never leaving the water. This will take ther pressure off the board enough to break the fins loose.

sabastianunf · Posted: Jul 15, 2007 6:31 pm Post subject:

A little bounce can help break the fins loose but it can also make you hit the water harder as well. Still worth a try - but also make sure your board is flat on the water and try getting a little slack in the rope. When the board is flat on the water the rocker of the board will keep the fins from digging in so deep. Also as you get a little slack in the line - you start to slow down it will make it easier to rotate and less likely to catch an edge.

Lewis215 · Newbie Joined: 06 Jul 2007 Posts: 29

i use a 06 byerly borad with the ceter fins and can do surface tricks, just like when you cut hard your one egde is only in the water.. try to do that more so your board is angled enough so the fins do less damage. i don't know if that makes sense, just pry the fornt lip up out of the water as you slide.

Lady Ortunas · Outlaw Joined: 09 Jul 2006 Posts: 109

Cool thanks everyone I will give these things a try. Any other suggestions?

Fast351 · Outlaw Joined: 08 Sep 2003 Posts: 133 City: Dayton, MN

If you have "The Book" I think it's on either DVD1 or DVD2, they cover all the stuff you talked about. Go back and do the progression. Start with 180's inside the wake, riding in the cuff position, etc.

One of the things that really helped me when I started doing that stuff is to bend your knees, and put a little weight on the back of the board to keep the front edge out of the water.

Oh, and slow the boat down to about 16-17 MPH. Falls hurt much less than at 22.

michigan boarder · Soul Rider Joined: 03 Jun 2007 Posts: 333 City: MI

I agree with Fast351. You should def. slow the boat down then as u get better w/ surface tricks at that speed bump up the boat speed a bit better.

derrickw41 · Newbie Joined: 02 Jun 2006 Posts: 45 City: TC

screw surface tricks, work on some air 180s if clearing the wake is easy