Just plowing water...pretty darn frustrated!!!

daytona955 · Newbie Joined: 15 Jun 2005 Posts: 33 City: Flowery Branch

Ok my friends and I went out today for the first time. We had one smaller guy with us that was about 5'07 145 and we popped him up out of the water every time. My other friend and I, both over 230 lbs and taller just kept plowing water and getting the grip snapped from our hands. We are behind a chaparral 2350 Sx with a mercruiser 5.7L 260 horse I/O, no tower just a tow hitch at the back of the swim platform.

First question about the boat, how should the driver start out for beginners? Slam it down or just ease onto the throttle slowly? The drive down all the way or up some? 75 foot rope or shorter?

Second, I read about the positions and such, but it seems that I am just plowing water or my board starts to go under and then the force generated by this just rips the handle out of my hands. We were starting by just jamming on the throttle like when we kneeboard. Could this be our problem? Like I said, it just popped the smaller guy right up out of the water...

daytona955 · Newbie Joined: 15 Jun 2005 Posts: 33 City: Flowery Branch

Oh yeah, board is a 142.

stevehollx · Newbie Joined: 02 Jun 2005 Posts: 24

when you feel that force on the board, you gotta take your foot and spin 90 degrees to the normal riding position. You are waiting too late to do this.

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

pipes · Newbie Joined: 08 Apr 2005 Posts: 13

I am similar in size at about 260lbs and had this happen when I was learning to get up. After reading the advise of many on this forum it only took about 4 tries to get up. When water is plowing someone on here mentioned to point toes toward boat thus allowing the board to act like a wing and plane easier. The board will go under water a little bit when getting up but as long as it is angled correctley like a wing it will rise to the top as the boat gains speed. This helped alot, I also found that you if you stay tucked tight to board you can get up completly with the board perpendicular to the boat and once on top of the water simply turn the board and stand up. You can also turn the board earlier and that works also. Straight arms also helped I notidced that with a slight bend in arms I could not hold but with arms locked straight it was much easier. Also start out with your arms on either side of your forward leg. I am by no means an expert but I just learned to get up as well and while it only took a few tries I did experience some of what you mentioned. Hope this helps once you get up it is awesome I'm Hooked!!

BTW, Driver is important as everyone on here says. At my weight you would think that full tilt would be needed but that was not so. A gradual steady and slow increase in speed is the key.

Wakebrad · Ladies Man Joined: 11 Dec 2003 Posts: 12257 City: Dallas

pipes, great advice. I would specifically like to re-emphasize that you want to keep your arms locked straight out and knees as close to your chest. And yes the driver should ease you up, not slam it full throttle

pipes · Newbie Joined: 08 Apr 2005 Posts: 13

You may have already read this but if not it might also help!

http://www.wakeworld.com/Articles/2002/GettingUp.asp

howabouttheiris · Addict Joined: 16 Jun 2005 Posts: 677 City: Austin, TX

good advice....

I am a lumbering giant as well....

YOU DO NOT HAVE TO KEEP THE BOARD ABOVE WATER ON THE START.
As long as you toes are slightly higher than your heels, you will eventually surface.

It really bugged me to hear the "just let the boat pull you over" advice, as I was nearly stalling it and not going over the top.

howabouttheiris · Addict Joined: 16 Jun 2005 Posts: 677 City: Austin, TX

as for speed....

wide open.

as for trim...

down all the way to get on plane ASAP.

(Fat folks like me sink, and do not want to be knee deep for very long)

daytona955 · Newbie Joined: 15 Jun 2005 Posts: 33 City: Flowery Branch

Good advise, I hope to get out again soon. I am about to start a new job in boat sales in the next couple weeks so time might be limited, but I'll write my sucess or failures here when I give it another go. I think part of the problem may have been our lack of wake driving experience...we just slammed it and hoped for the best, lol.

HatzicMotive140 · Soul Rider Joined: 18 Jul 2004 Posts: 261 City: abbotsford

and stand up when you think there is enough pressure against the board.

LakeTravisWB · Newbie Joined: 16 Jun 2005 Posts: 10 City: Houston

I started last week and had this exact same problem. I spent a day and a half having the handle being ripped from my hands. I first thought that my hands were just too tired. I found out that I was leaning back to far. Once I made this adjustment, I have been up every single time.

daytona955 · Newbie Joined: 15 Jun 2005 Posts: 33 City: Flowery Branch

Does the life preserver make any difference? It seems that the one I have pretty much puts you on your back since the board is so boyant it makes your feet float up...

Kewlboarder27r · Soul Rider Joined: 16 Jun 2005 Posts: 497 City: Mound

star with the longest length or rope as possible that great for beginers(sp) or try it first on a leader of a barefoot boom if you have one

daytona955 · Newbie Joined: 15 Jun 2005 Posts: 33 City: Flowery Branch

Well gonna give it another go tomorrow if we can find a third person to be a spotter. It is amazing how many people want to ride on your boat, but when you need someone to do it everyone is busy, lol.

daytona955 · Newbie Joined: 15 Jun 2005 Posts: 33 City: Flowery Branch

Well I finally made it back out today. After about 6 tries and us trying to see which starting method for the boat was easiest, i managed to get up and ride it for a while. I think the thing that helped the most was placing my arms outside of my knees and turning the board when i started planing. What an exilerating feeling! i guess I am hooked. Thanks for all the replies!

Now the next step seems to be going outside the wake...all three of us tried to swing outside the wake and ended up doing face plants. Any sugestions?

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

daytona955 · Newbie Joined: 15 Jun 2005 Posts: 33 City: Flowery Branch

Thanks for the suggestion. I can't wait to get back out there. Both the guys that went with me yesterday are already craving more...I think they put something in the water out there to get ya hooked!

marcuskg · Posted: Jun 23, 2005 3:05 pm Post subject:

i was hooked even before i got out on the water, i watchd soo many wakeboard dvds n the gravity games h2o which is awesome god knows how many times. il have to say it is an extremely addictive sport. how did your session go yesterday daytona955?

triggrman · Criminal Joined: 20 May 2005 Posts: 54 City: Nashville

Lean back......

Vampyre · Addict Joined: 12 Oct 2004 Posts: 622 City: Ooltewah, TN

bugnaked · Newbie Joined: 20 Jun 2005 Posts: 5 City: Broadway

True story. My boat dealer took me out for a test drive on the boat I was going to buy. I have never wakeboadered in my life, I tried three or four times and almost drowned myself trying to get up (255 6'3"). Then he said try this, "Look to the Left." I said "Look to the Left, What the hell are you talking about. He said trust him and look to the left. So I took his word, and when the rope got tight, I looked to the left. And whala, I was up in a half a second. Since then, I have helped three people get up on a wake board by telling them to look to the left. Needles to say, I have waited until they have crashed and burned three or four times before I have told them. Use all the hints in this string and at the last second LOOK TO THE LEFT.

Vampyre · Addict Joined: 12 Oct 2004 Posts: 622 City: Ooltewah, TN

HUH? Are you goofy footed stance? What does looking to the left do? force you to twist your shoulders? I am doing this sitting at my desk, and don't get it Question

Nephilim-777

bigboarder · Posted: Jun 28, 2005 11:48 am Post subject:

I'm 6'6" 240, and had same problem 1st time. I had water skied previously and tried to start with edge of board out of the water. Next time, a friend told me let board sink completely under as boat started to pull and just stand up. It was simple. He also told me to keep arms straight and knees bent.

daytona955 · Newbie Joined: 15 Jun 2005 Posts: 33 City: Flowery Branch

Went back out 2 more times, getting up now fairly easy as long as things start out slow and gradually increase. Planing at around 18-19 mph I am doing ok now with cutting back and forth, but the whole going over the wake thing is no fun, lol. Every time I start over the wake I slam down...The wake the boat makes is pretty steep though, I may just be dipping the nose in to the wake. Any tips on this? I never had this problem when going over the wake on a knee board.

The board I bought is a 142 Hydroslide - Backdraft Wakeboard w/ Grabber Bindings...one of the guys that has been learning with me went out with another friend of ours that has a nicer board and he said it was much more stable. So I guess I might try riding his board and see if it is time for an upgrade already.

I am also curious what looking to the left does for ya...I did not read that one before going out the other day, but curious to try it, lol.

downsideup · Soul Rider Joined: 29 Jul 2003 Posts: 344

Stay on your edge and you'll be fine. How are you slamming?

daytona955 · Newbie Joined: 15 Jun 2005 Posts: 33 City: Flowery Branch

Face first. Like I said I think the nose of the board is dipping into the water or somethingand causing me to tumble over the front of the board. What do you mean by stay on my edge?

daytona955 · Newbie Joined: 15 Jun 2005 Posts: 33 City: Flowery Branch

BTW you guys ever ride Lanier?

downsideup · Soul Rider Joined: 29 Jul 2003 Posts: 344

Nah, I stay on the 'toona. Are you on Wakeboardatlanta.com? You should be.

Are you talking about crossing the wake from the inside out, outside in, toeside or heelside?

daytona955 · Newbie Joined: 15 Jun 2005 Posts: 33 City: Flowery Branch

Goingfrom the center of the wake out into the flats...Toe side have been my only attempts so far. I am not on wakeboard Atlanta yet, guess I'll check it out.

downsideup · Soul Rider Joined: 29 Jul 2003 Posts: 344

Try heelside, it's easier. Approach the wake slowly and just roll down it. Make sure that you don't have too much weight on your front foot. Once you get outside the wake, you'll be in calmer water that is easier to ride around on. Get the feel of your edges and get used to carving back and forth. When you want to cross back in to the center, edge towards the wake and ride slowly up and over. If you get inside toeside, do the same over the opposite wake. Nice and easy. Don't point the board at the wake, just edge towards it and go slowly up and over.

Lather, Rinse, Repeat as necessary.

daytona955 · Newbie Joined: 15 Jun 2005 Posts: 33 City: Flowery Branch

Nice site, I like the need a ride section of the forums. I don't need a ride so much as need riders on occasion. Most of the time it is just my wife and I since we usually go during the week. Hard to find people to go with us to spot.

re re · Addict Joined: 02 Jul 2004 Posts: 723

WBA rocks. You can get riders by posting that you need a third.

daytona955 · Newbie Joined: 15 Jun 2005 Posts: 33 City: Flowery Branch

Seems ttally necessary on Lanier with all the traffic, the driver HAS to pay attention to what they are doing and can't really devote time to the rider.