progressive learning curve

norton74 · Newbie Joined: 09 Sep 2005 Posts: 8

I started wakeboarding 2 1/2 months ago. I have had some problems learing a couple of tricks and I know that it will take more time on the water, but I was hoping that some of you could tell me what I should be able to do at this point. Again I have been riding for 2 1/2 months. I ride around four times a week for about one hour each time.

Blindside_137 · Posted: Sep 10, 2005 4:44 am Post subject:

well i picked up riding last spring and ride maybe 1 week every other month and i still cant go W2W. but i can do ollies, surface spins, and ride switch.

at 2 and1/2 months it would be a good time to really work on your switch riding and that opens up tons of new tricks.

you can try to ollie, ollie 180s, one wake 180s

and if you can go w2w then later on try a w2w 180

Oasis137 · Addict Joined: 21 Aug 2005 Posts: 687 City: J-Town

I've been riding about 2 months and only go out on weekends. I can wake2wake and 180wake and surface 360.....ext ext. I plan on getting a w2w 180 next time i go out. I can ride switch but not jump the wake switch. I think that im advancing ok. If i had the balls i would already have done the 180 and moved on to harder tricks. So like i say this weekend is going to be the time to do that.

pooser · Wakeboarder.com Freak Joined: 13 Jan 2003 Posts: 4738

WAKEBOARDING IS NOT A RACE. A trick list does not measure how good of a rider you are. just have fun.

norton74 · Newbie Joined: 09 Sep 2005 Posts: 8

I didn't say that I was in a race with anyone. I am having fun! Some of my friends told me that I was progressing faster than anyone they have seen and I should continue to ride threw the winter, so that I win some comps next year. Not knowing much about wakeboarding I thought that maybe I could find out from some others if I am really progressing fast.

Blake · Posted: Sep 10, 2005 7:03 pm Post subject:

The Headless Chicken, Brilliantly put. I have been riding 7 years going on 8 years, and there are guys on here that are throwing sicker tricks down then I can who have only been riding half the time. I am glad you are picking it up quick and all, and most importantly I am very pleased to hear you are having a good time while doing this, but I want to say that learning basic things fast makes no difference at all. You might be a step or two ahead of yourself, and to think you will win some comps is a tad boastfull on your behalf. I am not trying to come off as a dick, but trust me, you will be humbled really soon. When you get to the comps, there is going to be riders in your division that have been riding for 5 years, that just dont want to throw many inverted tricks or big spins because they arent comfortable with them for comp conditions. I have ridden with guys in expert classes, who could be in the outlaw bunch very easily... Pushing yourself is one thing, but you are on track to burn yourself out. I can give you a list of things to perfect that would keep you busy for a year and looking like a newb if you want... Just pm me if you want this. I would perfect your 2 wakers hs and ts, and switch hs 2 wakers... And then move into double up timing.

Again, I am not trying to come off as a dick, but just pace yourself, and stay humble!

pooser · Wakeboarder.com Freak Joined: 13 Jan 2003 Posts: 4738

norton74 · Newbie Joined: 09 Sep 2005 Posts: 8

Blake,

Thank you for your advice. This is the deal. I road race bikes. I have been racing bikes for many years and this year I got burned out, so I got a wakeboard boat and went to the lake. I didn't even know how to get up, I just wanted to try it. I started hanging out with Kyle Wells and some other really good riders. In that process I picked up on most basic skills very fast. (I am not bragging) In the first month I got my progressive edge and nice H/S & T/S w2w with clean grabs. This month I got all my 180's down with clean grabs and nice landings. I then learned my b/s 360's and got that clean. From there I went into a battwing and now a backroll. That is my trick list. My friends that teach me are very big on making everything clean and smooth with nice style before moving on.

The reason behind my post was this. The only thing I no about wakeboarding is what my firends have told me. I don't know if the tricks I do are hard or easy. I don't know if every one can do them, and I really don't care. I am just having a lot of fun doing it. But some of the new tricks that I am learning hurt like heelll when I mess up!! Kyle has told me many times that I am progressing super fast, and that I should really stick with it and I could be on his level in a year or so. If that is the case then I will continue to work hard on new tricks and increase my level. But if I am really just the average guy then I will slow down my pace and not even think about comps next year. However if kyle is not BSing me then I will continue working hard to progress and I will attend comps next year. I love raing and being under the presure in that sport, so I am sure that I could convert that into wakeboarding. I know that I have watched guys in road racing that were just average riders, and there firends told them they were wonderful racers, so the guys went out and got hurt trying to keep up with us for nothing. and on the other hand I have seen guys get on a bike for the first time and within two years they are expert and even pro riders.

I wrote the post just asking what the norm is, so that I could rank myself. With out going off what my friends say. I truly hope that know takes this post as bragging or putting my self above others. I just want to know if I am progressing fast than the average?

norton74 · Newbie Joined: 09 Sep 2005 Posts: 8

[quote="The Headless Chicken"]