Father of a Newbie

[23SeaRay]

I grew up with the old Cypress Garden wooden skis so that should date me somewhat. My 15y/o son who weighs 175 and is 5'9" is now trying to learn how to wakeboard. I mention his weight and height since, imo, it's harder tolearn when you get to that size rather than when you're 8. He knee boards and slaloms but he has not gotten the hang of wakeboarding. We tried it this past w/e and he gave up. He says that starting off with the board perpendicular to the rope feels unnatural. I've read a few threads and will have him try the "poo position" as someone's 8 y/o put it. I will also tell him to put more weight on the back foot. We are in a 23' Sea Ray so I don't have a tower. The rope is very close to the water. I also have a cheap board (came as a promotional item free when I purchased the boat). It has no fins whatsoever. Any tips other than what I mentioned. I also should mention - he is using a ski rope - I saw where someone said not to use a ski rope - if you don't use a ski rope - what the h*ll do you use?

From a frustrated dad of a newbie wakeboarder.

[freeflow1]

A wakeboard rope, they're quite a bit shorter. Look around any local shops that have a decent amount of wakeboarding equipment. The cheap board, lack of fins, and ski rope shouldn't really mess with getting up. Remember to keep the knees bent, into your chest for real beginners. As he gets up straighten a little but too much. It's possible to wakeboard crouching on your butt, it's just wrong and not very fun. If he has enough experience with other boardsports (snowboarding especially) he might be able to progress fast enough or be comfortable without fins. Getting up could be easier without fins (he won't fall on his face if he doesn't turn the board right). I'd try to get some for him, though. It can be really squirly for a grom without fins. Don't worry too much about the cheap board, arguably bindings are more important, especially for a beginner. If his feet are killing him, it's not going to be much fun and he's going to quit a lot faster. As much as I hate them now, my old cheap-butt velcros were a good start for me because they never hurt, they just came off all the time. I've watched kids try fifty times on my lake and never even come close to getting up, while others get up after just a handful. If it doesn't work in the first three tries, something is wrong, so STOP DOING THE SAME FRICKIN THING. It's easy as pie once you figure it out. Grab an instructional video if you can. Above all, stay relaxed and remember you're out there to have fun, if anybody starts getty pissy, take a break for awhile because he'll never progress angry. Sometimes I swear a board can smell anger and fear.
Oh, and don't worry about any ragging for being a "buoy boy" (Jamie Beauchesne is from my hometown).
-peace-

[Zack_Attack]

freeflow1,

YEP!

[Honeytoast0303]

i agree with freeflow1, the board, rope, lack of fins, and type of rope wont matter. when i started off i was using a ski rope and the rope was close to the water (still is) because we didnt/dont have a pilon or tower.

i think your having trouble with the technique and with your son. if he gave up that quick, he isnt motivated enough and proably doesnt want to learn how to do the sport.
your gona want to find some padges with techniques on how to get up.
but, im a nice guy and allready took the liberty of googleing it and i found some good pages on info,
http://www.wake.co.nz/tricks/beginnerguide.php
http://waterski.about.com/od/beginnerwakeboardingtips/ht/wakedeep_starts.htm
the first one has some images that might give some good info.

ALIGNMENT-------------RELAX----------------COMPRESS-------------STAND UP

[Zack_Attack]

I know that the above picture is a textbook way of getting up but my "compressed" possition is nothing like that. I kinda skip that one I think. Maybe its because I have gotten better and more comfortable. That is a good illustratoin though. I can't remember what issue it was but I know it was last summer in Wakeboarding Mag there was a great step-by-step of how to get up.

[GuitsBoy]

I just finally pulled a friend up who had been trying unsucessfully to get up for the last 4 years. The biggest difference was that we had a pylon this year. Its much easier to get up. Also, good equipment like a good board, bindings and rope are crucial elements. If he really wants to learn to wakeboard, it may be worth while investing in these, otherwise its a lot of money to lay out if he's not serious. Maybe you could find a learn to ski / wakeboard clinic locally and they might have better equipment and better suggestions.

[gelpimp]

i am no expert, but don't rule out long ropes. if all else fails, give it a try.

you have more slightly more time to think about getting up, the "corridor" between the wake is larger, and the propwash is less rough. Don't laugh at the rope length. 75' is really long, but when you are not worried about jumping, it is great for cruising.

I tried that and it helped me stay up longer and get my balance learn on.


i am 5'10" 135lbs on a o'brien custom 135 w/device bindings. i hate water and i finally got up and rode. the water is not so bad after all. if i can do it, anyone can. i think it just happens.

[gswake]

23SeaRay, any description of what was happening? Fall back, face plant, never even coming up out of the water?

The others have had good advice. My two cents: the most common thing I see when trying to teach friends is that they try to get up too quickly. Let the boat and the board do the work. (Some of that may have to do with our boat not being super-powerful, but it's still a good note.) If he's experienced on a slalom, then it will feel awkward at first. Until he gets used to it, he probably needs to concentrate on keeping his weight over his back foot, and really twist - the handle should be more at the side of his hip than the front.

I promise it gets easier Good luck!

[Wakebrad]

Make sure he has his knees to his chest and arms fully extended the entire time he's getting up. If he tries to pull himself up with his arms it's so much harder. When trying to teach someone new I remind them of that every time. People forget.

The main benefit of a wakeboard rope is that it is non-stretch like a ski rope. This won't matter much for getting up but when he is starting to try to jump it is a necessity. Also get some fins. It's very difficult for a beginner to get up or stay up without fins. Go to a local boardshop and they should be able to hook you up with the right fins.

[TomOgorman]

what we told some beginners behind our boat was that wen they feel pressure enough so that they can start to crouch that then they should try and push more on their toes.

[Mermaid]

23SeaRay, Get him to put his lead knee between his arms when he starts. This works great for me as I was so used to slalom. The boat will pull the board the right way naturally, this way. You can also then give him more speed off the top to get him out of the water.

[freeflow1]

But ultimately, it will be easy. The difficulty he's experiencing now isn't a good representation about what wakeboarding is always like.
Oh, and 23SeaRay, don't forget to keep us updated. I think I speak for all of us when I say we love watching or hearing about new groms starting and progressing.

[WickedClimber]

Zack_Attack, i skip it too i kinda just stay in the relaxed position and then switch to ride normally

also i have a 22 sea ray and no pylon also w/ a ski rope thats 75' long and i have no trouble getting up... also i dont use fins so i basically have close to the exact same boat setup as you... maybe if i can find a vid of me getting up i'll post it

[23SeaRay]

I'll keep you updated - he's read everything and I hope it helps. I'm pretty sure the power of the boat isn't an issue since I'm pushing the boat with a 454. He just got a new kneeboard for his birthday (O'Brien Lowrider) so I'll have a hard time pulling him away from it. Thanx for all the tips - and I'm not insulted by being called a "bouy boy"

[freeflow1]

I skip it too, actually, I always have. Personally I think it's easier, but I've been told I'm wrong many times.

[ckligor]

I would say put on the board in the family room on the carpet, and go through the process. That is the way I have always started teaching people before we even go out. The largest issue with teaching guys is we try to mussle it and you shouldn't. Just relax and let the boat do all the work