w2w frustration

wakeopp · Newbie Joined: 22 Aug 2006 Posts: 5 City: Concord

I'm having a problem with w2w and I think it's in my head. I know the technically correct things to do: progressive edge, standing tall at the wake, tension on the line, but when I get close to the wake I lose my edge, the board flattens and so does my jump. I'm able to do 180's with no problem, but that w2w has been illusive. A couple times when I tried, I landed on the 2nd wake and experienced mouse-trap face plants that resonated for several days. So I think I may be chickening out at the wake out of pain memory. Anyone have any helpful hints or messages of inspiration?

wakeboarderML · Newbie Joined: 02 Aug 2006 Posts: 30 City: Keswick

when you're edging in, make sure you don't look at the wake, but spot your landing. you just have to go for it, the second you hesitate is when the trick's going to go all wrong. just hit that wake without hesitation and you'll be jumping w2w without a problem. good luck

criswb · Soul Rider Joined: 09 Mar 2006 Posts: 310 City: Guayaquil

Mmm... what helped me when doing this behind a wakeboard boat (i usually dont get to ride behind one and the wake size difference is enormous!) when I was a little afraid of hitting the wake, I just thought that I had to hit it good, with a nice progressive edge so that I would be able to get to the other side because if I didn't, it would hurt MORE! That way I've stopped chickening out at the wakeboat wake. It took me a lot to go w2w at all because I wasnt edging in correctly, I was too bent at the knees coming in and didnt stand tall at all.

Just try to think about one thing at a time. When Im getting ready to do a jump i sometimes narrate in my head what I have to do so that I concentrate on doing that. (edge out, stop, let the boat pull me in, lean back, dont bend your knees, lean back more and more and more and stand tall) as goofy as it sounds it helped me.

Hope it helps out in some way. I'm not going to say anything about technique cause clearly you say you have that... these are just little mind tricks for overcoming the fear!

sh0rtyme · Soul Rider Joined: 08 May 2004 Posts: 345 City: Portland

Sometimes when I'm trying to go bigger, I yell at the wake and talk to myself going through exactly what I did wrong on the previous jump. As crazy as it might sound, it's like taming the wake. Laughing

It's totally mental though.

ontrider · Ladies Man Joined: 30 Jul 2003 Posts: 16491 City: Russia

sh0rtyme, I think that's a good strategy. Wink

I like to yell at the handle!

criswb · Soul Rider Joined: 09 Mar 2006 Posts: 310 City: Guayaquil

those strategies are nice!! better than yelling at the driver! (not that I do that, but know of some who do!)

shazie · Criminal Joined: 17 May 2006 Posts: 67

Videoing and reviewing immediately helped me alot. Everyone told me I'm edging enough, but my mind tells me I am...... then I look at the video, and it clarified everything.

criswb · Soul Rider Joined: 09 Mar 2006 Posts: 310 City: Guayaquil

shazie, same here... I used to think that I wasnt bending my knees and that I was really standing tall... until I saw myself