Help gettin air?!?!

svt_gEEk · Outlaw Joined: 17 May 2005 Posts: 152 City: Tupelo

Alright guys, I went out boarding this weekend and decided to really try and get some air and quit bein a pansy. Well, I went out there and my friend, which is on about the same skill level as me, he was amazed at how high up I got. When I got on the boat, he looked at me and said "Dude you got some air!" Much to my disappointment when I looked at the pictures I wasn't but a foot or two off of the water! What am I doing wrong. I am cutting out and then starting a progressive edge in, I may be letting up on the edge a little right at the wake but not much if I am, when I get to the wake I stand up really quick like I'm jumping. Am I doing it wrong.....do I just need more practice and better timing, is it the boat, the rope??? I'm really confused here....could someone please help. I can post a picture if you guys can tell me how.

Sincerely,
Desperate for BIG AIR!

Freestyler · Newbie Joined: 12 Jun 2005 Posts: 26 City: Springboro

just host it somewhere send us the link...www.we-todd-did-racing.com is where i host everything.

svt_gEEk · Outlaw Joined: 17 May 2005 Posts: 152 City: Tupelo

Here's a link. This is one of me on the way down but I didn't actually get much higher than that.

http://www.we-todd-did-racing.com/wetoddimage.wtdr/wOTc1MzgzNnM0MTNkZmQzMXk1NDE%3D.jpg

daytomann · Newbie Joined: 01 Sep 2004 Posts: 24 City: Oklahoma City

The first and foremost problem is that you are behind an I/O Razz

. You got a small/flat looking wake and the rope looks to be attached to the tow hook on the back of the boat. Being attached to that tow hook is going to keep you "pulled down" so its going to be hard to get MUCH higher. Those two things will limit you greatly. Hey, I started behind an I/O with no tower also. I couldnt do crap (compared to what I can now) untill I started riding behind a boat with a tower and/or a real wakeboard boat.

Untill then, you just need practice, practice, practice.
You can practice and try to keep your edge up the wake, you'll make progress. Its all in edging and timing, bend your knees as you edge towards the wake, keep the edge all the way up the wake, try not to get all bent over as your edging in, stand tall when you hit the wake, dont "jump". One ting I just noticed is that you are holding the rope out high and far away from your body. From the time you start your edge all the way up to the time you are in the air, try to keep it low at your hips and close to your body. Its another part of good technique.
If you invest in a tower, even if you mount it to the I/O, and some fat sacks, then you will start to go bigger more easily. Untill then, just try to have fun and dont expect to go MUCH bigger.
Good luck!

ballywho · Wakeboarder.Commie Joined: 05 Feb 2005 Posts: 1725

daytomann, you have absolutely no idea what your talking about. At all. I ride off an outboard ith no fat sacs with no tower and I can get about 4 feet of air.

A video ould be much more helpful but that is pretty good. Here's your problem. NEVER UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES, FOR ANY REASON, LET OFF YOUR EDGE. AT ALL. It will kill your pop. Also the jumping motion isn't necesary. Just progressive edge up to the ake and stand tall. Finally trim your engine up to clean up the top of the wake.
_________________
us recession 2008

daytomann · Newbie Joined: 01 Sep 2004 Posts: 24 City: Oklahoma City

Insanetoast · Newbie Joined: 13 Feb 2005 Posts: 21 City: Wisconsin

I have to go with ballywho on this one. The tower and boat will help a lot but really you don't need it until your pulling off inverts, witch from the looks of it youre not quite at that point. The picture shows clearly that your letting off your edge. you should be almost at a 90 degree angle towards the wake, your at more of a 45. If you're rich, go out and buy a boat but it really doesn't matter to that extreme.

daytomann · Newbie Joined: 01 Sep 2004 Posts: 24 City: Oklahoma City

Sorry to highjack the thread.
Its cool insanetoast...
I certainly dont mind if people dont agree with me, thats cool.....BUT flaming is uncalled for. Sorry to everyone else, except Ballywho, for the response to his post but one flame deserves another. Its just too bad that some fools START flaming in the first place. It is what makes a good forum turn bad.
So, my flame suit is on, I will not respond.

mikeeb · Newbie Joined: 12 Apr 2005 Posts: 10 City: mason neck

Dude its all about speed. I just went out tonight and progressed more in one night than in 2 weeks. I ride behind a 20ft grady with an outboard and the wake is intimidating. But I had my dad drive it at 25mph and cut out and gradually in so theres no slack and cut hard at the end. First time I really tried it got 7 ft hight and about cleard the wake with a 55 foot rope. I knew I did it right because i just barely landed it and everyone on the boat jaws dropped. so
1speed the boat up...it will feel fast
2. progressive edge...thats what its all about
3. keep the rope tight to your hip
4. go for it...its only water

patrickengler · Posted: Jun 26, 2005 8:20 pm Post subject:

svt_gEEk, by the looks of your pic you're driving too slow. Your wake has garble on it, where it should be a tight edge on top. You'll never go wake2wake at 15 mph on that boat....bump it up to 21 and you should be good

bhamglassman · Soul Rider Joined: 21 Jun 2005 Posts: 338 City: Bellingham

first off, daytomann needs to chill out, i see where youre coming from but there's no need for that second post.
i'm pretty much supporting what patrickengler said above. you need more speed. you need to drive the boat faster to improve speed and shape the wake better. and more importantly you need to edge better. get a good progressive edge towards the wake by constantly increasing the aggression of your turn in towards the wake. when you hit the wake you want to be edging hardest, and hold that hard edge all the way through the wake. be sure not to absorb the pop from the wake by letting it dictate your stance, you need to stand tall when you hit it.

Blake · Posted: Jun 27, 2005 10:31 pm Post subject:

You are limited as to how big you can go barring that you dont buy a new boat soon. Dont get me wrong here, it is still possible to get decent air of your setup. Your form is the most important thing. I have buddies that can go higher than me from a jet ski than I can from an X star. Its just the nature of the beast I suppose. Besides, going big is not always the answer. Getting big air is truely overrated anyhow. Again, master your form and spins, grabs, etc before you go out and try to land wicked things. I am also under the impression that you are new to the sport, so just sit back and enjoy what you have. There is starcing kids in China that would kill for a chance to ride behind a flat bottom bass tracker boat.

waker1der · Outlaw Joined: 12 Oct 2004 Posts: 102 City: London UK

am i the only one who can see his legs are bent as buggery. svt_gEEk extend your legs through the wake, dont jump, that is the wrong technique, just extend the legs and keep the handle low, especially at the top of the wake

svt_gEEk · Outlaw Joined: 17 May 2005 Posts: 152 City: Tupelo

Alright guys. Thanks for all the advice. It'll probably be a couple of weekends before I get back out on the water to try it, but i think this will definately help me out. As far as getting a new boat....that's out of the question, the boat I ride behind isn't even mine, lol. It's actually not a friend of mine's either. It's my friend's, sister's coworker's boat, lol. He's like 60 and enjoys being out on the water with all of us young whipersnappers, lol. I think he just gets a kick out of seeing us bust our tails on the water, either way I'm glad he's lettin us Very Happy

Just for your information the boat is like a 1998 Larson I/O 19' with the 4.3 volvo penta I believe. Very nice boat, just not made for wakeboarding....it's just a good all around watersport/cruiser boat. Again, thanks for the help and I'll post pics of the next time I go out and keep you updated on my progress Smile

94lightning · Newbie Joined: 23 Jun 2005 Posts: 33 City: canton

svt ? what kind ? sorry off topic just thought i would ask. What kind of board did you say you were riding also. I have alot of the same problems you were having bayliner i/0

bighitbiker3 · Soul Rider Joined: 21 Jun 2005 Posts: 386 City: Seattle

daytomann, You do really need to chill out. A tower will only help once the rope is pulling you down. On my i/o unweigted no tower i can throw inverts and stuff just because im not getting high enough for the rope to pull me down.

Colclough999 · Soul Rider Joined: 21 Jun 2005 Posts: 410 City: Boston

daytomann, yeah bud 4 feet off an outboard is decent, i only get 5-6 and thats almost max for an outboard. there no way that he was at a disadvantage without a tower/wakeboat

Snipermonkey456 · Criminal Joined: 01 Jul 2005 Posts: 62 City: Granbury

1. consider getting a tower
2.bump your speed up to about 20 21 mph
3. keep the handle closer to you waist when you are near the top of the wake
4.extend your legs near the top of your wake, but dont jump mind you
5.edge better

AirProfile · Addict Joined: 17 Aug 2004 Posts: 602 City: Brookfield

first shorten your rope it's a better wake shorter,

second keep your legs nearly completly stright

third hit the wake on an edge not board flat

fourth stomach out arch back in when u hit wake

fifth relax when your boarding
________
The girls next door advice

iridenude · Newbie Joined: 19 Jul 2005 Posts: 3

Dont get a tower its a wast of money. Get a Flyhigh pole and some weight. I started riding behind a pontue and bass boat. I was having the same problem. You need to shorten your rope. 10ft should be good i get w2w easy. Keep on your edge all the way through the wake and stand tall at the top of the wake. If its more comfortable, let go with one hand. Those are my tips! Good luck

Ian_82 · Addict Joined: 24 Mar 2005 Posts: 803 City: Longview, WA

bighitbiker3 · Soul Rider Joined: 21 Jun 2005 Posts: 386 City: Seattle

Ian_82, I hope your kidding but if your not he shortened it ten feet LOL.

jmac2173 · Outlaw Joined: 11 Jul 2005 Posts: 145 City: h-town

idk if you read the other post that I left you in your other thread but I ride an i/o and im telling you trimming up the motor will make all the difference and just practice ur edging you'll get it

numbfoot · Posted: Jul 19, 2005 7:04 pm Post subject:

waker1der, lol yeah i also noticed that his legs were uber bent. Keep um straight and you'll do great!!! Colorful

svt_gEEk · Outlaw Joined: 17 May 2005 Posts: 152 City: Tupelo

In response to the guy that asked what kind of SVT, it's a 2002 SVT Focus, entry level svt but an svt nonetheless Smile

I love it. As for the board I ride an '04 O'brien Oasis with 04 Liquid Force Exo Suction bindings Smile

OH, and here's an update. My friend bought a 91 ebbtide I/O with a tower this weekend and this is my first time behind it, wake was a little scary. I will hit it harder next weekend.

http://putfile.com/pic.php?pic=7/20517153966.jpg&s=x1

DunDunDun · Posted: Jul 26, 2005 5:55 am Post subject:

daytomann, LIAR! i ride behind an 18 foot outboard with 115 hp and i can do frontrolls or whatever the Bubb Rubb they are called. im trying to post a video of it but it doesnt seem to work. and im being poulled by a pilon that is like 3 feet abouve where the tow hook would be

acej92 · Criminal Joined: 11 Jul 2005 Posts: 56 City: MIA

svt_gEEk, you need to get the boat moving a little faster...like 20-21 cuz looking at your pics the wake is pretty sloppy which usually means you're going too slow. you'll get much better air going faster with a cleaner wake

svt_gEEk · Outlaw Joined: 17 May 2005 Posts: 152 City: Tupelo

Oh yeah, forgot to tell you guys, when I was riding behind it last weekend, the trim was all the way down, the lines busted on the hydraulics, but it is fixed now, should get some better wake this weekend. We were going around 20mph in that pic +/-1mph it was kinda hard to control the speed with the trim down and the porpous plate off. It is all fixed for this weekend though and we're gonna have some extra weight on the boat too, should be much better Smile

w4k3b04rd3r57 · Outlaw Joined: 26 Jul 2005 Posts: 131 City: Boca

What you need to do is get a nice progressive edge from maybe 5 feet outside the wake and edge soft..then harder..then harder and bend your knees through the wake and keep the handle at your hip and at the lip of the wake push off the wake like you are jumping off a trampoline and hold the handle close to your body

w4k3b04rd3r57 · Outlaw Joined: 26 Jul 2005 Posts: 131 City: Boca

i would also say maybe add some weight to make the wake bigger and maybe ride a shorter line where the wake isnt as mellow and small Very Happy

HkySk8r187 · Newbie Joined: 09 Jun 2004 Posts: 42 City: Oxnard

non I/O and a tower only help beginner/intermediate people significantly. Pros can get more air than most of us without even using the wake, so what does that prove? It proves that it's all about the rider and technique, not the boat! Yes, if you are on a nice boat with a tower and huge wake you will get more air with less effort, but it's not the only way to do it.

KristianB · Posted: Jul 30, 2005 3:57 pm Post subject:

HkySk8r187, Yes!

From some of these discussions it seems that a 50 k$ boat will make you a pro - otherwise forget it you will get 1' hieght and be a looser for the rest of your life. That is not my picture of this sport at all!

/K

Perrik · Newbie Joined: 31 Jul 2005 Posts: 37 City: Green Bay

Hello everybody, this is my 1st post so I wanted to sa hi and join the discussion of this thread. I'm also a beginner wakeboarder. We use am 18' I/O with no tower and go around 20 mph. I think I've been using the wrong technique trying to jump/ollie at the crest of the wake. I'll try some of the tips that I've read hear like cutting progressively and stand tall at the top of the wake.

One question though, which lenght will be the best to use right now that we are beginners and are trying to get more air and clear the wake?

jmac2173 · Outlaw Joined: 11 Jul 2005 Posts: 145 City: h-town

Perrik, a shorter rope is easier to learn to jump with but you will obviously not be able to build as much speed edging in which will cause you to not get as much air but the closer to the boat you are the narrower the wake is and that makes it all that much easier to go w2w.

wakeboarder324 · Criminal Joined: 29 Jul 2005 Posts: 59 City: scottsdale

I have the same problem I'm riding behind a Four Winns with no tower. The highest I've ever gotten is like 1-2 feet. Do I need a tower to get a lot more air?