Getting Air and landing it?

[bmesner]

I have read your previous forums on getting air by standing tall and holding the handle low to keep tension. But, I am still not getting the pop off the wake. I am not using a tower or a pole so I can't see how holding the the rope low will help, but the standing tall has began to work. Also, when I cut out of the wake and begin to cut back in I normally lose tension and holding the handle low has not worked. Do I need to increase the speed of the boat (currently under 20mph)? Another problem that I have been having that is when I land the board likes to turn sideways and I have to fight to keep tension on the line so I dont fall straight on my butt. Any advice would be greatly appreciated and taken to the water!

[DunDunDun]

okay, when you cut outside of the wake, wait a second or two, and then cut it. you want to make a progressive edge. this is like a car rolling down a hill. in the beginning the speed is slow, not alot of acceleration. so this is like cutting into the wake. you start out slow, which will not give slack on the rope, you will want to keep cutitng in harder and harder as you get closer tot he wake, when you hit the wake stand tall.

if you got more questions, ask away.

[Blake]

DunDunDun, Everything he said, plus, hold your edge all the way through the wake. If you have to, think of digging it into the crest of the wake at the top when you explode up/stand tall.

[wesgardner]

Hey bmesner,

Start small - get your technique...then take it big

Only cut out about 6 or 8 feet (no sense burning up a whole bunch of energy with monster cuts as you won't be needing it yet - if anything, it'll intimidate you and you'll come off the edge right at the wrong time) so keep 'em small at first and really work the technique - balance, keeping eyes up, weight over the board, hips up and forward...18 or 20 mph is fine - don't be so concerned with that yet - when you're ready for w2w, you'll need to speed it up a bit - for now, get comfortable and confident with small perfectly timed single wake pops...have someone in the boat watch the bottom of your board - they should see more and more of it as you progress toward the wake, it'll be obvious to them if you're coming off-edge as the board will flatten out - this is something EVERYONE goes thru so don't get frustrated just work it and you'll be flyin' in no time. Speed is NOT what will make you fly, technique IS -

The concept of keeping the handle at your hip is to keep you balanced in the air, not necessarily to manage line tension - if you let it get out in front of you, the boat will pull you on your face, also this might be why you're getting sideways - the handle is drifting over towards your rear hip causing the board to turn - this is the technique for 180's but don't go there quite yet

Like Blake, and DunDunDun, said, the slack line is prolly because you're loosing your edge...another overlooked item as DunDunDun, says, when you pull out COAST for a moment or two and get ready and balanced, then begin your progressive edge - if you can film yourself - you'll see immediately what's up, if not, get folks in the boat to critique your attempts - show good form, be confident, balanced don't rush it.

Oh, don't worry about no tower or no pylon - you can still fly plenty big without one - my crew is throwing backrolls, scarcrows and tantrums from the stern tow-point...

Hope this helps, keep ridin'

Wes

[bmesner]

at what length should I set the rope at I know it depends on the pitch of the wake, but what is a good starting length? I am currently around 45-50ft.

[ballywho]

That's where I ride. It depends on your wake, ride where its nicest. I only ride there becaus I dont get of a choice (my wake SUCKS)
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[Vampyre]

Yes, Wes said it pretty accurately. What helped the most for me was watching myself on a video.
Do you have somebody that can film you? That way you can see what you are doing, or even better post a clip of it here.
What I noticed the most when I was learning was that I was coming off of edge too soon, and the board was riding up flat up the wake.
Visualizing really helps me.
When I cut out, and I wait, go flat.. I put my handle at my hip. I concentrate on keeping it there, and I am thinking edge your heels or toes(for TS) in deeper and deeper as you approach the wake. Then I think of making it so the people in the boat can see the bottom of my board somewhat.
This, coupled with line tension, and a straigtening of the legs at the top of the wake will pop you up.
You will feel it when you get it.

[bmesner]

The tips and advice I have recieved is beggining to make a difference, but I tend to land with board sideways grinding acroos the wake and falling on my butt how can I avoid this? I ride goofy footed and jump using the ts edge comming accross the wake.

[wesgardner]

Hey bmesner,

For toeside jumps, try this - practice smaller ones first by not cutting way out, keep your centered over the board, when you jump, stand tall, keeping your eyes up and out and most important - keep that handle on your lead hip, also keeping that hip up and out a bit - also letting go with your back hand will help you to not get sideways - stay strong and determined using good form, like I said, start small and get these very important body mechanics down, then take it big. To do your TS FS 180, once you've cleared the wake, just switch the handle to your rear hip, letting go with your NEW back hand, land it and ride away switch - I can't ride switch worth a doodly, but I'm workin' it...practice these at slower speed only clearing one wake, then progress. Remember the importance of keeping the handle in...

It'll happen for you, it's a practiced thing...

Wes

[Blake]

bmesner, If I understand this; you are landing with the board in the same direction as ou hit the wake from? If so, then this is the position you want to land on too.