How to avoid faceplanting

wiredmessiah · Newbie Joined: 26 Feb 2012 Posts: 3

I've been practicing my turns and riding switch and yesterday I faceplanted twice. Needless to say I don't feel so great today. Is there something specific I am doing that causes you to fall in this way? Any tips to avoid this? Thanks in advance!

FlyZone CR · Posted: Apr 17, 2012 1:02 pm Post subject:

Take lessons. Though even then you might still faceplant occasionaly, it's just part of wakeboarding.

wiredmessiah · Newbie Joined: 26 Feb 2012 Posts: 3

What about helmets? It seems like a stupid question but I never see anyone wearing one. Do they significantly help reduce the number of concussions you get while learning?

flixmaster · Site Owner Joined: 30 Oct 2003 Posts: 7481

Are you catching and edge and getting SLAMMed down on your face? If so are you looking down at the water when you are riding? Beginners tend to look down. Keep your head up and looking at the back of the boat or the top of the wakeboard tower. Also try and not push down with your toes. sometimes you can push the edge of the board down just enough to cause you to catch an edge.

wiredmessiah · Newbie Joined: 26 Feb 2012 Posts: 3

Yes that is exactly what is happening. Thanks for the tips. What about helmets? Does anyone wear them?

FlyZone CR · Posted: Apr 18, 2012 5:56 am Post subject:

When you're doing the surface 180 slow the boat down to 14 mph or so. Then when you're riding switch speed up to 16 or 17 or so, until you're comfortable riding switch, then slowly speed up till normal riding speed.

Wheeler · Criminal Joined: 04 Sep 2010 Posts: 74 City: Decatur, AL

pet575 · Posted: Apr 18, 2012 11:25 am Post subject:

FunkyBunch · Outlaw Joined: 01 Aug 2011 Posts: 206 City: The Colony

I wear a helmet sometimes.
Started wearing it when I got a concussion from catching a heel edge. The helmet is not going to help even a little on a face plant and as pet575 said there are some that think the extra weight increases the force no matter what you do.

I think it helps with catching that heel edge and can help protect your ears when hitting the water that way also. For it to help the helmet has to fit correctly, otherwise it can bucket and cause damage as well. The main reason I wear one is because I ride at 23+ sometimes and I think the helmet does more good the faster your riding. If I am riding at 20-21 I don't wear it as much. Just my opinion.

flixmaster · Site Owner Joined: 30 Oct 2003 Posts: 7481

I do not see many wearing helmets unless they are hitting rails etc. There has been no research on whether wearing a helmet or not will cut down on the concusions. But they will help you if you are slammed on a rail.

wakechick13 · Posted: Apr 19, 2012 7:17 pm Post subject:

Oh so thats why I am faceplanting.... Smile

Abuse · Newbie Joined: 04 Oct 2011 Posts: 20

In Europe in most of cable parks are helmets required if you want to go on rails or other obstacles. I think it is similar to wearing helmets on snowboard or bike. At first everyone told it looks stupid and it is not necessary, but after few years everybody wear one. Maybe there are some cases when helmet cause worse hurt, but i think in much more cases prevent you from any hurt.

Look at this funny video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RVmxOoz1Qjs Very Happy