First season

BigMace255 · Soul Rider Joined: 07 Mar 2006 Posts: 271

I have done a search, and I couldn't find anyone who has asked the same question as the one I have.

It will be my first "real" season wakeboarding this coming summer; last year I wakeboarded behind an OB three times, and the most I did was get up, make a few turns, then fall.

I've got a full week lakehouse rental set up, so I'll have that 1 full week to ride. My family and I are also considering 2 more 3day weekend rentals, and then trailering the boat to other locations over the summer.

So, to my question: If I will be riding for a good amount of time each day for those weekends, that week, and probably some weekday and other weekend runs, what should I expect to be able to do by the end of the season? I think a tantrum might be a lofty goal, but it'd be really awesome to get an invert or 360 or something by the end of the summer.

One of my friends took 3 weeks (on a lake, riding every day) to get Wake2Wake down.

phantom268 · Posted: Apr 04, 2006 12:07 pm Post subject:

Well I think it depends on alot of factors. I would advise not pushing it starting out. Get the basics down first before trying advanced stuff...it will help you in the long run. And you don't want to rush it and learn bad habits or technique. Focus on getting edging down its key for doing just about anything. Once you can do that, especially if you can edge well HS and TS in regular and switch stances and get your jumps dialed in, then you're ready to have some fun. I'm still working on perfecting these things myself. Once I get them down though I should have a solid foundation for learning tricks.

I would also consider watching some instructional videos like "The Book" or something before your lakehouse rental comes around. that might help show you how to develop the right techniques faster and prevent bad habits. Hope that helps! Good luck to you.

SouthWaker · Posted: Apr 04, 2006 2:11 pm Post subject:

Different poeple learn at different speeds. I would still stick to your basics and not rush into anything. Learn a step at a time. For instance it is kind of sad to see a guy that can throw a half a$$ tantrum and know nothing about grabs or 180's. With that said those grabs and 180's are what you will need to advance pass the basic tantrum.

tprkolbas · Outlaw Joined: 30 Dec 2005 Posts: 184 City: white lake

i've been wakeboarding off and on since 1991 and i still suck, so don't feel bad if you don't progress quickly

Blake · Posted: Apr 04, 2006 2:32 pm Post subject:

tprkolbas, word.... I have been riding for around 9 years, and by no means am I PWT material. I enjoy going out, looking at the girls half nude, hangin 10 with the friends, and taking my mind off of life. If you can get to the point where it is more of a fun thing to do and not a chore, you will find your riding is more zin like.

typeRider · Criminal Joined: 02 Jun 2003 Posts: 99 City: austin

i hear ya tprkolbas and blake i started when they still had skurfers and parks wasn't fat yet. dude 1st watch as much footage as you can and look at the edge people take for doing moves it'll help you learn to do wake jumps. as for on the water just stick to the basics... riding and edging lotsa cutbacks and slayshes. try surface spins. LEARN SWITCH i still suck at switch riding. trust us experienced people who still suck learn all ur basics before moving on. or you'll be like me and doing tantrums but falling riding in a straight line switch. don't push the inverts you'll just get pulled muscles and not get the riding time you could. stretch before riding and after. oh yeah remind ur mom to bring the advil you'll want it the 2nd day.

revelation · Outlaw Joined: 06 Apr 2005 Posts: 213 City: Annapolis

One thing that is also very important since your planning on riding for a week straight and your still new to the scene. Lots of leg exercises before the trip are a must or you will end up being too sore to ride after the first few days. Remember, if your not having fun, your not doin it right.

BigMace255 · Soul Rider Joined: 07 Mar 2006 Posts: 271

Thanks, but don't think that'll be a problem.

Not trying to be an "e-thug" or any of that, but I've been lifting for 2 years, I wrestle, and play lacrosse. Leg and core strength shouldn't be a problem.

Reef · Newbie Joined: 08 Apr 2006 Posts: 9 City: Charlotte

I'm going to have to agree with a few of the others. The first few times out this season, since it is your first, your going to need to get the basics down. Such as edging, riding switch, etc. Be comfortable with going over the wake, and your W2W before you start trying to throw down tantrums. Good luck!

BigMace255 · Soul Rider Joined: 07 Mar 2006 Posts: 271

I see everyone saying ride switch, work on ollies, do 180s, do butterslides etc.

Are butterslides and surface slides possible with fins? I'd think from a physics standpoint, the fins would catch and send me flying. Not a problem with molded-in fins, but I was thinking of the center fin.

brath5 · Outlaw Joined: 06 Jul 2004 Posts: 222 City: Winnipeg

BigMace255, butterslides and surface slides are possible...once the fins release their intended grip and get into the boardslide motion they won't grab unexpectedly...my old board was an old byerly with no molded fins and just 2 larger fins...it was harder to push my back foot out to initiate the slide and i had to lean back a little more but it was still possible...just alot more difficult

burntorange77 · Soul Rider Joined: 31 Jan 2006 Posts: 321 City: Kingwood

BigMace255,

You may be surprised by the amount of soreness you end up with. Learning to wakeboard will cause you to stress muscles that you rarely stress. And falling a few times, as I guarantee you will, will cause sore back and neck. My buddy runs marathons competitively and he could barely stand after he went out for the first time the other day.

BigMace255 · Soul Rider Joined: 07 Mar 2006 Posts: 271

Yeesh!

A sore neck isn't something I should have to worry about.
3 years of Xtreme tubing behind a jetski @ 40+mph = a lot of whiplash conditioning
Toss on wrestling where my neck gets to be twisted in to all sorts of fun positions, and I'm pretty sure I no longer feel anything from shoulders downward Razz

brath5 · Outlaw Joined: 06 Jul 2004 Posts: 222 City: Winnipeg

yah but tubing doesn't help out ur legs(N)...or i'd be strong as hell all around(Y)

onomado · Newbie Joined: 07 Sep 2005 Posts: 45

I am a competitive powerlifter, as well as an AAU wrestling record holder, and wakeboarding kicks my @$$ everytime out. Trust me bro, this isn't shooting single legs or doing hack squats...do LOTS of lunges, step ups with dumbbells, and a GRIP of situps and crunches a few weeks prior to a season opener. You will thank me after the ab conditioning. I had no idea after my first season (last summer). This one will be much better because I am training properly to keep my old tired butt up on the water. Wink

SouthWaker · Posted: Apr 11, 2006 6:39 pm Post subject:

Yeah the muscle soreness related to boarding isn't about muscle strenght it is muscle endurance. Even for those who do nothing but cardio and endurance workouts boarding is still going to make you sore because like someone stated earlier you stress different muscles than you do in other sports. I played football, tennis, and worked out year round during high school. It is amazing how that first trip will make you feel like you were hit by a truck. The up side though is with you being in shape you will recover faster. Some of my buddies that quit working out after high school walk around for a week or two sore to where I'am usually ready to go after two or three days.