Maintaining riding possition in the air for toeside jump.

Christobull · Addict Joined: 29 Jun 2009 Posts: 898 City: Tulsa

I have such a hard time landing a toeside wake jump on my toeside. Once I leave the wake, my body opens up toward the boat. I try to pull in with my lead hand as much as I can, which has to be the problem, but still not getting it for some reason. To feel comfortable, I have to either 180 or land flat, and not edging out like I should. Any advice?

GnarShredd · Posted: Jul 01, 2009 4:18 pm Post subject:

Just picture yourself edging up through the wake and landing in the exact same body position (absorbing some of the landing with your legs of course) and edging away on the other side.

Do you have any video of a toeside attempt?

Christobull · Addict Joined: 29 Jun 2009 Posts: 898 City: Tulsa

GnarShredd, Not on-hand, but I'll be out this weekend, and I'll put some up.

I do try to think of it that way. I know that too often I'm not completely stiff with my rear leg because I'm usually nose high. That's what has me landing on my heals I think because I feel like I'd slide out if I don't.

Everyone says you shouldn't bend at the waist, but is that just a beginner tip to prevent them from absorbing pop that way? Because I see guys leaning forward at their waist on their toeside jumps all the time that get huge air. You'll be able to see once I have a video, but I try to edge the way you're supposed to, or at least the way I was taught, and it's just not doing it. Is there a way to prevent line tension from pulling my upper-body over my board while in the air? Handle position the problem maybe?

GnarShredd · Posted: Jul 02, 2009 10:31 am Post subject:

If you're getting across the wake/popping no problem, just make sure to trust your edge when you land. Get over your toes and keep cutting out.

I don't know if you're comfortable with this yet but a drill you can do is to try some toeside inside-out wake jumps to get comfortable with the landing. Make sure you start on the opposite wake and then edge through the top of the other wake, landing on your toes. Keep doing this until you can take it a little bit in to the flats to really get the feeling for landing and holding your toeside edge. This helped me a lot when I was learning.

STANG KILLA SS · Posted: Jul 02, 2009 10:44 am Post subject:

keep the handle at your ass cheak/hip

Christobull · Addict Joined: 29 Jun 2009 Posts: 898 City: Tulsa

GnarShredd, I've got the pop, but I'm not taking it wake to wake at this point. I want to get my position right first. I can pop off the wake tall and have about 3' of air landing safely before the crest of the opposite wake, but even in this short amount of time, I'm off balance. I do know of a toeside edging drill that involves taking your lead hand off the handle, I'm always looking for ways to improve though. I don't think the landing has me concerned as much as the take off though. All mental of course. I'm waiting for The Book to come in, so I hope that will help. I'll work on the things you guys have mentioned tomorrow when I go. Get back to me on that edging drill. Thanks.

Christobull · Addict Joined: 29 Jun 2009 Posts: 898 City: Tulsa

Question: When it comes to handle position, should the handle literally be touching my lead hip, or is it just as effective to have my elbows at my sides, and push down in the air?

Christobull · Addict Joined: 29 Jun 2009 Posts: 898 City: Tulsa

We didn't get much time on the water yesterday, but this morning we took some video of both my HS and TS jumps. I was able to improve by concentrating on holding my edge in the air like you said, but as you can see by the video, I'm still having problems. We're back in our 16' boat today, so the wake is a little on the small side, but in some ways I like it because it's easier to tell when you're improving.

Here's the link to the video.

http://www.vimeo.com/5461109

I know it's long, but I wanted advice on my technique overall, so this should give you a good idea of where I'm at.

Edit: Sorry about the missing link.

WilsonH · Posted: Jul 05, 2009 12:21 am Post subject:

Christobull · Addict Joined: 29 Jun 2009 Posts: 898 City: Tulsa

Sorry, I don't get very good signal at the lake, and I messed it up.

curtblanchette · Posted: Jul 08, 2009 11:23 pm Post subject:

Personally? I dont think your going to get the height your looking for without a pylon or a tower. The wake itself looks like it would pop you with proper takeoff technique, but the tension in the rope is being pulled down and that wont allow you to get much hangtime, the tension is trying to keep you on the water. instead of naturally pulling you up. Try slowing down your edge in a bit and stand tall off the lip of the wake, really try to preload the wake. Hope that helps a little.

I'm sure you can find a pole for that boat for under $200, with a bit of searching. It can be hard to practice proper technique without the proper equipment.

STANG KILLA SS · Posted: Jul 09, 2009 6:03 am Post subject:

you need to pick out of point on the opposite shore.
pop then stare down that point across the lake. its like riding a motorcycle, your body will follow your eyes.
ill bet you your looking down at the board, water, 2nd wake, and your body will follow everytime.

try this and i garantee you will ride away.
cut in, pick your shore/stare spot, pop and LOCK those eyes on that point!

pet575 · Posted: Jul 09, 2009 7:42 am Post subject:

Christobull · Addict Joined: 29 Jun 2009 Posts: 898 City: Tulsa

pet575, Thanks for pointing that out. I knew that caused problems TS, but you answered my question the way I meant it. Forgot this feed was about TS jumps. Oops. Do you hold the handle vertically for TS or is it still horizontal. When it's being described in videos and such, they tend to hold it vertical, but I rarely see this on the water. Does it matter?

STANG KILLA SS · Posted: Jul 10, 2009 5:20 am Post subject:

NO! you NEVER hold the handle vertical wakeboarding EVAR! if anyone ever tells you different, kick them in the nuts and run. Cool

and always knuckles up.(other than when handle passing)

Christobull · Addict Joined: 29 Jun 2009 Posts: 898 City: Tulsa

STANG KILLA SS, You mean to tell me that its not palms up, A-town down!? Shocked

kriggs · Posted: Jul 10, 2009 9:56 am Post subject:

try taking yourself up more.
You are kind of just clearing with speed.
Get good pop and you will get much better height.

pet575 · Posted: Jul 10, 2009 11:16 am Post subject:

Christobull, no. Knuckles up. Not fingers up.

Christobull · Addict Joined: 29 Jun 2009 Posts: 898 City: Tulsa

pet575, then I would have to take my hand off to let the driver know what I thought of his terrible pull. Wink