As if this hasn't been posted before...

simland

I took last year off of wakeboarding to learn how to slalom ski. Mainly because I rang my bell pretty hard trying a backroll.

This year however I feel more aggressive and have started trying to learn the backroll and any other tricks again. My first few w2ws were really pathetic. Even now I feel that I don't get enough air, it would be nice if someone could help me figure out how to get better air. I know my boat is sufficent in providing a wake. I think my board is ok. So I know the main problem is me.

I do get enough on the backroll to clear the wake. I usually land on the down side or in the "gutter" of the wake. My main problem is that I think I close my eyes or spin too fast for me to see the landing. By the time I am ready to land the board has already hit the water and slid out in front of me. I learned that releasing my back hand stops the rotation and this is how I landed the one backroll I have ever landed. But, I haven't been able to produce those results again.

My question is how do I get it so that I can see my landing and prepare rather than throw everything over my left shoulder (regular fotted), spin, release when I feel my body in position to land and proceed to have my board slide out in front of me and land on my tired laurels?

colefooter · Posted: Jun 19, 2004 1:09 pm Post subject:

Okay well i think you may be trying the backroll a little too early, seeming how you said you can barely clear the wake, or that it was pathetic. But it sounds like you are spinning too fast to even beable to control the rotation. Try going a little higher instead of trying to land in the flats. You really don't even need to clear the wake at first.

For spotting your landing definatly keep your eyes open, and look over your leading (front) shoulder. It sounds like you have the rotation down, its just that you are spinning too fast to spot the landing. When you spin fast it makes the board wash out when you try to land.

Hope this helps! Good luck.

wilki911 · Posted: Jun 20, 2004 2:29 pm Post subject:

what is wrong with landing on the downside. that is the smoothest place to land, just ride it down, the gutter isn't great, but the downside is better than the flats. at least i find that. just get a good progressive cut up to the wake, and don't rotate right away. pop off the wake, and once you have good pop, start your rotation.

simland · Posted: Jun 20, 2004 5:46 pm Post subject:

Maybe that's it. I start my rotation right off the wake. I carve up and away coming off the top of the wake. I just have a feeling that if I wait any longer I won't be able to rotate because I have nothing to push off of. If I waited longer maybe I would get more air and could rotate a little slower.

I'm also thinking of just trying a tantrum because it looks like that is easier to land. But the whole "triping" thing is something I have yet to experience so I can see myself getting tossed about the first few times.

Micky · Criminal Joined: 03 Jun 2004 Posts: 69

wilki911 is right, I make a concious effort as im cutting in for a back roll to look at the top of the wake. Then the actions is Pop and rotate. This should give you some height and also if you make an effort to pop you arnt just "chucking it" it should be more controled.

Another bit of advice. The stuffs hurt a lot more if you chicken out of a backroll half way through or just as you get to the wake. Best thing to do is visualise your self doing it and then go for it.

Good Luck m8 Wink

simland · Posted: Jun 21, 2004 6:34 pm Post subject:

haha yea, I learned from doing sports on land that if you half ass anything you will end up much mroe hurt than if you were to go all out. I try to do that in most cases, I just need to get this whole popping thing down. I've been wakeboarding for about 4-5 years now (but only like 1-10 times a year) and I still haven't consistently felt a pop.