New to wakeboarding - Got any tips?

ohdoor · Soul Rider Joined: 02 Mar 2005 Posts: 281 City: OKC

I've only wakeboarded a couple of times and those times were pretty short and basic. So the past month or so i've become very interested in wakeboarding and want to wakeboard really bad. Over springbreak next week me and my dad are goin out to Eufalla and are plannin on wakeboarding a ton. Do any of you guys have any tips/suggestions on what I should try to learn first like what tricks, etc. Also i'm in need of a board. The board we have is a piece of crap (i'm not even sure what it is but i'll find out when we go) so i'm lookin to find a new board. I've been lookin at the LiquidForce Evo boards. Are they good for beginners? I really like the 138. So yeah any suggestions/tips would be greatly appreciated.

DavidHoff · Posted: Mar 09, 2005 10:06 pm Post subject:

ohdoor, Welcome to the addicting world of wakeboarding.

First off, the LF Evo is a great beginner board, and I'm glad you realize It and are not coming to the forums saying a Parks (Advanced Board) is good for you.

First off, make sure you can get up consistently, then work on weaving, and later crossing in and out of the wakes. After you have this down, you might want to learn switch (opposite stance). Many people make the mistake of going straight to jumping and they don't have good switch riding which limits them from tricks such as 180's and 540's and such, in most cases.

After you've got getting up, crossing the wake, and switch riding down, you should work on wake jumps and/or surface tricks like surface 180's. Do a search on the forums about a "Progressive Edge" and read up about It, because It is the best way to edge and you can hopefully perfect your technique.

That up there is pretty far already, alot of things covered, but If your a quick learner, you can move onto small 1 wake jumps and maybe small 180's If your a very quick learner.

Good luck! And most importantly, have fun!

ohdoor · Soul Rider Joined: 02 Mar 2005 Posts: 281 City: OKC

Alright thanks for the advice. I can't wait to get out to the lake... Very Happy

Bowen · Posted: Mar 10, 2005 8:59 am Post subject:

DavidHoff gave you good advice, I'd stick with what he said...definitely search for "progressive edge" use the search button on the top left.

Also, as soon as you learn to jump heelside, do it toeside. Most people learn to jump and automatically start doing tricks. They don't focus on their toeside which they need to. Believe me, its embarassing when later on down the road you are throwing inverts and spins, but you have to hurry across the other wake because you don't have a toeside jump.

2nacious · Newbie Joined: 01 Mar 2005 Posts: 3 City: San Jose

If youre new to the sport there is a pretty good training video by Hyperlite. It has Sean Murray in it and it teaches you the fundamentals. Worth $20. One thing that I learned from my friends who were teaching me to become a good rider was to make sure you keep it in controll at first. No need to hit it to hard at first. Learn crossing both sides on jums before going on. As DavidHoff said learn riding Heelside/Teoside . Good luck

joedirt00 · Posted: Mar 10, 2005 2:01 pm Post subject:

On the left hand side of the main page there is a link for "Trick Tips" check it out.

There are alot of good info for beginners in there.

ohdoor · Soul Rider Joined: 02 Mar 2005 Posts: 281 City: OKC

Thanks guys for all the advice... I've been checkin out the Trick Tips page and and found the stuff about progressive edge. I've also been watching tons of videos and watching the way people wakeboard. I decided that before I even think about getting a new board i'm just gonna stick with the piece of crap I got out at the lake. I don't need something brand new and really nice for just learning to wakeboard.

wakedad1 · Addict Joined: 19 Sep 2003 Posts: 667 City: Discovery Bay

ohdoor, Good point but when you start to get comfortable it's nice to get a board you're gonna ride for a while. It always takes me some time to get used to new equipment.

ohdoor · Soul Rider Joined: 02 Mar 2005 Posts: 281 City: OKC

Well the weather here in Oklahoma sucks right now... its 40 degrees and is raining. Its supposed to be like this most of spring break so I guess I'll have to wait another week or two. This sucks... I've been wanting to wakeboard so bad.

wakedad1, Thats what I plan on doing. I'm going to use the board thats at the lake (still don't know what it is but know its crappy) for a couple months and then when my birthday comes around in August I plan on getting a new board.

Thanks again for all the advice.