Wakeboarding tough on the bod?

harddock · Newbie Joined: 14 Jul 2008 Posts: 38

I am old (52) fat (275) and wicked outta shape due to really bad knees. Is wakeboarding rough on the body or is it quite harmeless. The kids make it look so easy I might wanna give it a try.

JustinCT · Newbie Joined: 08 Jul 2008 Posts: 19 City: Philadelphia

It can be pretty rough on the body especially when you're starting out. It can be really rough on your knees.

oshensurfer · Posted: Jul 30, 2008 12:50 pm Post subject:

It's helped me earn a trip to the surgeon for my shoulder.

It can be hard on the knees too.

Wakebrad · Ladies Man Joined: 11 Dec 2003 Posts: 12257 City: Dallas

Wear on the knees is the only problem I've had. It's good exercise though.

RyanC · Newbie Joined: 29 Jul 2008 Posts: 17

Its awesome for the body, but its not really friendly on your knees, last summer I had only been out for about 3 sessions when I got a slight tear in my ACL, and some fluid build up over all last summer. But its a killer sport

Red57Bird · Soul Rider Joined: 09 Aug 2005 Posts: 316 City: Raleigh

I'm 45, about 230 lbs. (but steadily dropping), and not in great shape either. I started wake boarding regularly last year and I like to just got out and ride for fun. I don't do tricks and just cruise behind the boat. While I'd love to be able do more, I simply can't afford to tear up a knee/shoulder/back/etc.

One thing I have started to do this summer is wake surfing. It's low speed, low impact, and much easier on your body. In fact, my new board is supposed to be on my doorstep sometime tomorrow. You may want to look at checking that out as well. Two important rules though - only surf behind an inboard boat, and make sure to use a wake surf rope.

Good luck and whatever you do, have fun.

Canucked · Addict Joined: 12 Apr 2005 Posts: 873 City: Edmonton

New knee for me

harddock · Newbie Joined: 14 Jul 2008 Posts: 38

TerryProII · Newbie Joined: 26 Jun 2008 Posts: 33

I'm 50, 165, and in decent shape (a lot of bike riding, snow boarding/skiing, etc.). What wakeboarding I've done I've enjoyed but I can tell it's beating my knees. Also my hips and back seem to be getting more sore. I think I'll continue to wakeboard occasionally, but it's slalom and wakesurfing 99% of the time for me.

actionmama · Outlaw Joined: 21 Jul 2007 Posts: 140 City: Mountain Home

I'm female/35 in excellent shape, always working out both cardio/weights. Wakeboarding kills my hips...I dislocated one years ago (moto-xing) and lately my good hip has been killing me and popping a bit-usually its just my bad hip that does that. So far my knees are hanging in there.

Last night I had a wicked calf spasm when I was getting out of my bindings after about an hour+ of trying w2w 180's.

I am tore up feeling today from boarding-but heck, I get that when I do a good workout at the gym. So long as I didn't break or tear anything...

Just depends on how much you wanna push yourself. I can ride and not try any tricks and probably be fine-but I would be bored with that.

JeffreyCH · Posted: Aug 13, 2008 5:05 am Post subject:

I'm 39, 6', about 230lbs, in pretty good shape, the only time I really seem to get beat up is if the water is choppy. The only advice I can offer is if you are going to try it, have nice smooth water to ride on. You may want to work out and stretch for a few weeks before trying it also.

freestyler105 · Newbie Joined: 11 Aug 2008 Posts: 36 City: Buffalo

It's definitely a bit rougher on you when the water is rough.

I'm a competitive swimmer, and us swimmers generally have very strong shoulder muscles, but weak back muscles. So whenever I go for a long wakeboard ride, my lower back ends up very very sore.

sambo · Criminal Joined: 06 May 2003 Posts: 94

45, 5'9", 165#. Been boarding about 7 years. Ruptured ACL, 4 concussions, shoulder injury, countless faceplants and bruises beyond belief. I even fell so hard backwards one time trying to do a BS 360 that when the water pushed my ears forward it ripped the skin on the back of both of them where they hook onto your head. Can't wait until tomorrow, though. I'm taking the kids out and we're going to rip it up again!!!

Having said that, it's great exercise and you don't have to try and jump out of the lake if you don't want to. Just drag along behind the boat and enjoy the view. You'll feel it in your arms and back the next day. Every trip will get a little more enjoyable. Just take your time and have fun.

Wakeboard K-Fed · Posted: Aug 13, 2008 11:26 am Post subject:

Yea wakeboarding can be tough on the body. For example, whenever i go out i warm buy just constantly doing hs w2w then ts w2w and just going back and forth jumping from each side. Its a really great warm up cause for some reason even though i am in really good shape it always seems to work me, i am usually short of breath after like 5 min of that. So doing that is a good cardio work out. Second if you try new tricks and fall...yeah you will feel it the next day. It can be hard on the bod like if you take some landings into the flats your knees can take a bang. But other then that i like sambo's advice, just make it enjoyable.

bass69 · Addict Joined: 28 Jan 2008 Posts: 529

i can see see you hurting your self if you try wake jumps or somethin like that
depending on what you are tying your rope to may have some wear on your legs