learning to barefoot

"when you walk on water it's the most exciting thing in your life"

WORD

Another day, another rippin' footset with my bro's Willie and Andy. A day like yesterday is just a mind blower for me, and really a testament to willingness and good coaching. Forward trick runs, backwards, front wakes, and now trying back to fronts on the shoes, I am sooooo stoked. My barefoot game has so many dimensions to it, it is really fun now (like it wasn't fun before)....

Barefooting is Freakin' a BLAST!

Looking good guys!

gotta stay healthy, lewy! get better and let's see some footing.

Like everything else in barefooting, it's going to take a few tries to figure it out. I'm sure you'll get it soon.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jML7xg7368M&feature=channel

I don't know why, but none of these Livestrong Youtube links have sound.

Kapla:

Everybody learning seems to go thru the "bounce" stage. I got bounced off the rope the first 10 times I tried it. I had the driver go faster, slower, it didn't seem to matter. Eventually it stopped.

When the boat starts, arch your back, and be real stiff (0-12MPH) once you start to plane, sit up and ride your butt (12-20 MPH). Take your feet off the rope as soon as you can, I think that will help with the bouncing. Ride your butt, feet off the rope 'til you are at barefoot speed which would be 34 to 36 MPH for you. Gently plant your feet on the water with them as close to your butt as possible.

I learned to get up sitting on a kneeboard to start the first few times I tried it. That helped me on the deep water cuz I knew what to expect once on my feet.

In truth, to stop the bouncing is going to be a combination of driver speed, body position, and your experience and practice at it. It will stop, it just takes time. If your driver sees you bounce, tell him to slow it down a few MPH 'til it stops.

Hollywood wrote: Like everything else in barefooting, it's going to take a few tries to figure it out. I'm sure you'll get it soon. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jML7xg7368M&feature=channel I don't know why, but none of these Livestrong Youtube links have sound.

Real nice video to go off of. Paul is so good though, he makes it look toooo easy (I guess that's why he is the pro!).

Kapla, your progression from plane, to butt glide, to plane will be slower. I like the pace from which he planes, to sitting up. One big pointer: KEEP THE HANDLE IN TIGHT TO THE WAIST. DO NOT LET IT GET AWAY FROM YOU. The bad of your hand should be at your belt line, touching, with elbow in, tight to the ribs. You will flop all over the place if you don't do this.

As always, post some video of your attempts, so we can see.

I call those internet oddities....

This is all great advice.

One problem:

Equipment. If you do not have a tight fitting suit you won't be able to ride stable on your butt. I always try to get people to wear shorts under their suit which is a step up from just a tight fitting suit. The right equipment makes all of the difference.

Tim

Seb, it would'nt hurt (literally) to get some padded shorts to wear under your suit when learning your deep starts.

LakeBoy wrote: Still footing: Late Fall Footset

Awesome!

wow still crying about those face plants LOL...
I'm exhausted...nice 5 minutes burnout...

Another trick is to keep your elbows wide until you three point. They will act as outriggers if you tip to one side.

yep..I kept yelling faster..!!lol they are not used to go that fast I guess..anyway it was the first time in the short line so with some more runs I will get it clean...I was surprised on the tumbleturns..I got it on the firts attemp..but then as driver though I falled he lowered the speed and had to fight to keep going..LOL

I´ll keep those tips in mind for the next session!!!thanks all...gee