Progressive Edge Help?

wake100 · Newbie Joined: 05 Apr 2003 Posts: 15

Alright, so Im one of those who has a couple years using the wrong heelside approach into the wake. Bad habits suck! Anyway, I've been to a couple clinics recently and the unanamous conclusion is that my approach blows. Currently, my habit is to go wide, cut hard, aim directly for the wake and get some air however inconsistent and unbalanced it is.

Now Im trying to visualize how the progressive edge really works. From posts in the past, it sounds like you go wide (heelside) and when the drift back to the wake starts you need to start edging hard (heel pressure with the board under you as much as possible through the wake. Every time I try this, I feel like Im either 1. to slow into the wake, 2. unbalanced and get zero pop or I get air and feel like I may have done it right but the spotters say I went back to the old habit of cutting to hard upfront.

Could you guys describe how you feel going into the wake with the real progressive edge from distance out in the flats where the approach begins to how you feel the edge during the approach, speed, body position, where you focus your eyes, etc. knees, speed, tips that may have helped you break bad habits, etc.

Im getting so f'n frustrated cause the old habits are sticking and I can't seem to break the pattern of crappy approaches.

ANY TIPS PLEASE.

Thanks to all who respond....

WetChick19 · Posted: Jun 23, 2003 4:05 pm Post subject:

don't go wide, start 10-15 feet outside the wake, start your edge easy and pull your hardest at the bottom of the wake...i know its hard, but you'll never get a good consistant pop if you don't learn the progressive edge

Jake0306 · Posted: Jun 23, 2003 5:47 pm Post subject:

one thing i did earlier is just try to memorize the HS progessive edge in the trick tips. Then just tell them to yourself when your out there and vizualize it. try holding your edge as long as you can...the same edge, don't increase it don't decrease it. When i'm out there, i try to look at the peak of the wake and how long i have until i get there. Good luck wake

skobi1 · Addict Joined: 15 Jan 2003 Posts: 639 City: eugene, or

I let the boat initiate the turn toward the wake then ie stard to edge and bend my knees at the same time, as i enter the trough i stand up and leave the wake standing tall. if I want to go into the flats I just dont stand up as soon.

tdes · Soul Rider Joined: 07 Feb 2003 Posts: 270 City: Orlando

I used to have pretty decent approach but it has totally gone haywire. A lot of myfriends edge out as far as they can then just try to build up speed. Sure they land ridiculously out in the flats, but they're having problems moving on to other stuff. However, I just learned the TS jump, and I feel like I'm in awesome position virtually every time. Yesterday I noticed that on my HS approaches I am totally leaning back instead of just applying the pressure to the board - the result is that I can land consistently only when it is glass. Choppy water forget about it. I'll get good air but be in some ridiculously contorted position. Sorry this is just a bunch of random thoughts. Point is that I'll be taking the time to go back and revisit the HS progressive edge, leaning back too much is a bad habit I developed from watching friends. Sure you can get a lot of speed doing it, but at the expense of board control.

Nathan Newman · Addict Joined: 08 Feb 2003 Posts: 711 City: Baylor

a good analogy is to think of a pendulum. At the top of the arc, it is slowly coming in, then the more it falls, the faster it gets, until finally at the bottom,it is going full speed.

this is what you should do on your progressive cut. Start out about 12 feet outside the wake, and let the board slowly drift into the wake, then put on your edge, little by little, until your at the top of the wake, pop off, and you'll easily go wake to wake.

You see, progressive edging is a way of getting speed and generating line tension. By loading the line, it really bucks you into the air.

It'll start out kind of weird, but once you get the hang of it, you'll know why there's all the fuss about learning your progressive edge...

arthropod88 · Outlaw Joined: 21 May 2003 Posts: 210 City: Birmingham

When you say "Pop Off," do you mean stand tall...? Confused

byerly2003 · Criminal Joined: 13 May 2003 Posts: 82 City: Nashville

one thing, i notice a lot of people doing when they are trying to learn how to edge into the wake, they seem to bend over at the waist toward the boat. really work on keeping you back more straight. think about the position you would be in if you were playing tug-o-war and visualize the boat as your opponent. this is what helps when i teach new riders how to edge to get good pop. plus you dont have to bend your knees that much when your cutting, when you reach the wake just stand tall and keep your line in close to your waist

wake100 · Newbie Joined: 05 Apr 2003 Posts: 15

Thanks for the info. Glad to know others struggle as well.

Mister C · Posted: Jun 28, 2003 7:27 pm Post subject:

Alright, Ive been having the same problem with my heelside approach lately, and I have a question. I understand what people say by standing tall and the progresssive edge, but what do you mean when you say "put the board on edge"??? My friend explained it to me, but I guess it hasnt penetrated my thick-headed skull yet.

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