First Invert

[JRock*Girl]

I am over doing the same stuff over and over again. It's time to learn something new and get over the fear factor. I feel like I havn't progressed all summer....mainly because I havn't had any confidence behind the x-80 I have been riding behind with it's 28 feet and dual engines. I have been saying this for the last summer and a half, but this time I really mean it. I need to learn something new.

I want to start trying 180's, 360's, backrolls, and tantrums. But I am scared...I have mind block....fear kinda thing I need to get over first, but I don't really know how. It's like when I think I am going to attempt something new I freeze once I go off the wake. What's the best way to go about getting over the fear factor...and what should I start out with? What is going to be the least painful...easiest?

Wakestock is in 3 weeks. I need something new. I have solid grabs, but thats it, but there inly solid in comp. I ride 4x better in competition, its something about the pressure, and not having time to think. I have attempted one backroll, at nationals, and I ended up with a somewhat off-axis blind 180. haha.

I am going to fix my boat (battery issues) and it should be back in tommarow or the next day. And I want to start trying new stuff. I am over riding behind the x-80 and not improving or having confidence.

[wakebored]

JRock*Girl, The best way to get over the fear is to just go out and throw it. Think about what you want to do before you start to edge in and go do it. The problem is thinking it is going to hurt. You need to think more about doing the trick. I sit at home with a rope tied to a door and pratice everything there, then go to a friends house and jump on the trampoline.

Don't be scared. You can do it!!

oh yeah, those shorts make you ride better... so go throw that tantrum.

[WakeBabe07]

The only thing you have to fear is fear itself!!! Just dont thnk about it! If you dont sit there and think..."okay im going to do this move right now" youll do better. I used to have the same problem but then my friend put in my favourite C.D and i was jamming and singing along and stuck a whole bunch of moves that i was scared to do. So just relax and go with it!

[Grace B.]

JRock*Girl, You just have to tell yourself not to be scared and just go out there and do it. I know its easier said than done But once you try it once then you won't be scared to do it anymore. Start with the 180, its the easiest of those tricks. I have attempted some w2w 180s, they aren't too bad! Just don't think about getting hurt and you will be fine. Next time I go riding I'm thinking about trying the back roll! So anyway good luck, you will be fine!

[Tiffanator]

JRock*Girl, I honestly never in my wildest dreams would have imagined that I would one day be going upside down on purpose. When I first started wakeboarding, I thought it was my destiny to learn every grab, stiffy, backscracher and fashon air combo there was, but never anything else. I had some friends who convinced me otherwise though, and encouraged me to try something new. Once I tried it the first time, fell and realized it didn't hurt like I thought it would, I was ok with it. You have just got to get over that initial fear. You don't have to try 180s wake to wake, you can do them 1 wake, or inside out off the wake. Once you get used to the sensation of spinning your body around, then try a small on wake to wake, meaning, take a nice edge, but don't get super pop, just kinda "flop" over the wake.
I have full confidence that you can learn any of the tricks that you want to, you just have to convince yourself of it. If you lived near me, I'd teach you anything you wanted to learn.
Also, having someone on the boat yell at you through a megaphone is great motivation....trust me.
You can email or pm me if you want step by step instructions for some tricks from a woman's perspective.
Later

[sh0rtyme]

JRock*Girl, I actually started out a little freaked out about my first actual "trick" after 180's, but finally just tried a 3, and realized that it didn't hurt any worse than any of the falls I'd taken trying to learn w2w (about 450 faceplants in 5 days). Afterwards, I'd kinda throw my body up in the air being the dumb person that I am until my friend told me to try a backroll. I started out doing a few, nearly landed one, then got some nasty whiplash because I screwed up and landed on my head (I can upload the video of the crash, but if you watch it, you can tell I'm just being dumb because I'm approaching the wake all wrong). Even though I was freaked out because I got hurt, it wasn't as bad as I thought it'd be and I went out a few days later, and tried a few more. Then yesterday, I got a mini-lesson from a friend who's really good at wakeboarding, and landed a roll to revert (I was actually going for a backroll, but let go of my lead hand). There's always the chance that you're going to hurt a little bit after some crashes, but you'll eventually get it and it's super exciting.

Tantrums might be the first invert you try, because the crashes don't hurt very much. I think the backroll is a little bit easier the pull off though. Both are obtained through edge tricks (progressive edging, because you need a strong edge to get the right amount of pop). Good luck!!!

[JRock*Girl]

Last year at Nationals, one of the judges started talking to meand told me I was the most solid girl on the water and I should definatly be trying inverts. But I am sooo much better in competition it's ridiculous. If I oculd compete once or twince a week I would be a much better rider.

I have tried a few 180's. I tried one a few days ago, but kinda cased the wake then let go. I tried a few last year, but only ended up sticking 90's lol. So time to get over this and try some stuff. I just can't get myself to go upside down.

My boat is out of the game for a few days, but as soon as it's back on the water and running, I will try some stuff and I will let you know how it goes. I probably won't video the first few attempts though....I am a bit camera shy lol. I hate our boat....it has had wayyy to many issues for a 2000.

[Tigerblp]

It's like everyone else said.. they really don't hurt unless you mess them up. I've probably tried 200 backrolls and only landed 2.... that's a lot of falls! but i'm still alive and kicking and you will be too

[Jane]

JRock*Girl, I have exactly the same... love to grab, 180's (1 wake) etc. but am afraid of my first tantrum... tried it 2 times but screwed up because I don't dare to 'let go' but I was trilled to do so... let's make a little game of it.. who will stick it (or any other invert) first !?!

[leslisa]

Since I have yet to even master the W2W (although I can now ollie over an object, ride switch, and do surface 180's ), I am in awe of all who try inverts. I'll be rooting for you!!

Lisa