Wakeboard Help Needed!

wish2fish

wish2fish

Active Member
Dec 19, 2006
4,278
Locust Creek, Ohio River mm 433
Boat Info
2003 220BR
Engines
5.0 MPI
okay...I'm getting to be an old fart (45 tomorrow) and I need to figure out how to wakeboard. I was able to get up last week but took a major faceplant when I went outside the wake. It hurt for 2 days!

We used a slower start than when skiing and that seemed to work for me but is that the correct way?

Once up, what is a good speed to run? I assume I caught the front edge and I don't know if that is because we were running to slow.

My 17 year old had trouble getting up using the same technique. Can a 190 lber (me) and 230 lber (him) use the same board? Its a Hydroslide Freedom 142cm.

Any tips or suggestions would be appreciated. Any resources on the web?
 
Between about 18mph - 24mph depending on what feels comfortable, The heavier person will probably be more comfortable going faster than the lighter person. I like to travel at ~21mph. Also depends what sort of speed the boat likes, some boats wont stay on the plane at 18mph. the faster you go the harder you can carve (up to a point anyway) without stalling the board.

Keep the handle in near your waist and to one side (on the side that you want to go forwards with), you probably face planted because you brought the handle round to directly in front of you (as if you were skiing) this tends to rotate the board round so that it is perpendicular to the direction of travel rather than pointed in the direction of travel. Lean towards the back foot slightly, bend the knees to absorb the bumps.

Fast or slow start doesnt really matter, I prefer a fast start some people like it slow.

The board should be ok for either of you (ie it wont stop you getting up and carving around), but is more suited to the 190lber.
 
I would suggest getting the DVD called the book (I will post a link in a little if I can find it). The DVD helps out alot we have yet to have someone that we could not get up.

http://www.thebookdvd.com/dvds/wakeboard.htm


We start with a slow gradual increasing speed and once the wake boarder is up I hang around 2800 RPMs. I don't really pay attention to the speed just try and keep the RPMs consistant.

Here is what I tell everyone when they are getting started. Hold on to the outside of your knees with your arms. Keep your shoulders even with the back of the boat. As the boat begins to pull you move the heels of your feet toward your butt (basically pulling the board under water, for some reason people fight it.) The major mistake most people make is they stand up too quickly. Wait until you feel the board begin to plane and stand up turning the board.

Good luck with it.

Wesley
 
Keep the handle on your lead hip, knees bent and back straight (dont bend over)

Ride 18-22 or what ever feels comfortable.

The board is fine for you both. I ride a 141 and a 144 and i'm 6'5 240.

Board size has alot to do with what you like.
 
my dad boards with us and he is 53...


remember this, keep your knees bent and have the driver go REAL slow the first couple of times you get up. Over the past couple of seasons I’ve taught about a dozen people how to board. The single biggest thing we all have learned is that it is better to go real slow when the rider is trying to get up.

After you learn how to ride you will want the driver to floor it to pop you out of the water.

*if you have ever snowboarded you won't have any issues.*
 
Wes, thanks for the link. I was searching for that all day and couldn't find it.

Everyone else, thanks for the ideas. Seems like we are on the right track but making a few mistakes which is to be expected.

Hopefully I can get some video and post it for all to see.
 
This helped me, I don't know if it's the proper way, but it works for me: Getting up is kinda like someone standing in front of you pulling you up from sitting on the floor. You work with them by leaning toward them and bending your knees, once your body is above your feet you stand up. I try to pivot the board to about 45 degrees with the water, not straight up and down, again not sure if it's the textbook way, but it works for me. As for not catching an edge it's the old heel toe, always edging the rear edge, I'm still working on that one had a nice sinus duche last time I was out.
 
Slow

If you're able to slow your boat down a little while you are learning it will reduce the sting when you faceplant. Most surface tricks can be done slower, of course jumping will require some speed but I don't think you're trying that yet.

Concentrate on getting and staying up, when you're comfortable and somewhat balanced try crossing the wake. Before you start jumping you should learn to do this on both sides. (ie: feet pointing in either direction).

When you feel like your about to loose your balance, fall backwards.

Good luck ...
 
Here is some video of me wakeboarding. Not great camera work but it was captured. This was only my 2nd time to try it and I think I did a lttle better. This was right before the faceplant. Based on what you guys said I probably have my hands to high as they should be down around my hips.

click to see video!

 
Great job!

Lookin' good!

It took me 3 weekends to finally get up on the board. You're doing great!

You definately want to hold that rope lower and closer to you. It will change your center of gravity and reduce your number of faceplants.

You always want to be pulling against the rope, this tension is what actually powers your turn.
 
Great video! If you don't mind though I'll just live vicariously through you for now :grin:
 
wish2fish said:
Scott,
Its your lake! Is the water still dropping?
Click to expand...

Down 11.5 ft as of today. Starting to look like winter pool :smt009 Going up tomorrow.....I'll let you know. btw...sent you a pm at pdb. Scott
 
ehaze said:
my dad boards with us and he is 53....*
Click to expand...

That's the age I learned at... :cool: The DVD Wes suggests is really helpful. It is the one we used and I was up on the 2nd try.. maybe it was helpful that I have never skiied before, but once you get the feel for it, it's a breeze. (the getting up part that is) :thumbsup:
 
Larry&Leisa said:
ehaze said:
my dad boards with us and he is 53....*
Click to expand...

That's the age I learned at... :cool: The DVD Wes suggests is really helpful. It is the one we used and I was up on the 2nd try.. maybe it was helpful that I have never skiied before, but once you get the feel for it, it's a breeze. (the getting up part that is) :thumbsup:
Click to expand...

I don't have a problem getting up....staying up is a whole nother story!
 
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