New barefooters- "Stuck" on the tumble up.

I tend to teach people how to barefoot via a tumble-up directly on the boom. I generally go over the 3 point position, bent knees, gently putting feet in the water, etc. on the boat with them and very carefully explain everything that's going to happen so that they are not discouraged or surprised by anything during their boom learning experience. I'm easy on the throttle and quite frankly I think I'm pretty good at teaching people how to foot. I've taught several guys to foot this way. However, other than my wife I am 0 for 3 teaching the gals how to tumble up on the boom. Without fail, what happens is they try to tumble up and get stuck half way around the tumble. Discouraged, they usually let go and try a couple more times, sometimes never to try it again. How do you get beginners "un stuck" on their first tumble up?

Tumbling up on the boom is not the easist thing to do. it's much eaiser with a short rope because of the freedom of movement, so until they're ready for the short rope, I just have them put they're feet up on the cables until planed out then have them go to the three point. problem solved!

I'm also a big fan of Mike Sipel's ez-footer. I know some are not, but it prevents falls and also solves the starting problem.

This is the way that I do it to help my wife get around on the tumble up. First, I accelerate enough so that the spray is past her, and then when she starts to swing around, I let off the throttle enough that it actually gives her a little momentum to get the rest of the way around. After she gets her feet in front of her, I speed up to barefoot speed. This has worked for me for teaching a few women.

jrmcmich wrote: Is there a way to try and learn barefooting without a boom? I have kink of wanted to try but dont have a clue what to do and how fast to go.

Yes there is, long line step off, the way some of us old schoolers learned.
The kneeboard way is the best way I've taught, both boom and long line. But what I've seen lately is replacing the kneeboard with a wakeboard, minus the bindings. It's easier to get up on, and doesn't porpoise like the kneeboard does.

Ok here's my take with a few answers:
first if you want to stick with tumble up: teach them to twist pointing the knees away from the direction of spin, this gets them onto the trailing hip and picks up the leading hip, the "natural position" is to try on the wrong hip which digs in and causes defeat of the feet.
girls don't normally have the upper body to do it wrong(guys can pull it off but its still wrong).
Next don't discount the value of the swing(ezfooter) since barefooting is so much about confidence and fun the swing can ease them into footing so you don't get the quitter syndrome...they will come back wanting more...swing em they will love it, no falls easy flying gets them used to planting and spray and speed and gets them hooked on footing...then ease them along to either a tumble up or cable start, or use the wakeboard...a boom is pretty much essential unless you've got a really exceptional he-girl twice as strong as most.(who wants her in the boat anyway?) be patient let them stay in the swing don't rush things, just let them develope, if you rush her into a faceplant you may make her gunshy about any more footing and just create one more wakeboarder!

Tim, If they have poor form it's not their fault it's the teachers. They're depending on you for good instruction no matter how they're attempting to learn.

I don't see any benefit to teaching long line if you have access to a boom. Not everyones a tough guy, one bad crash and they may never try again.

81nautique wrote: Tim, If they have poor form it's not their fault it's the teachers. They're depending on you for good instruction no matter how they're attempting to learn. I don't see any benefit to teaching long line if you have access to a boom. Not everyones a tough guy, one bad crash and they may never try again.

I just don't have the time to commit 5 days a week to the ski team....

Sorry that I like to teach longline.... yes the boom works good but plenty of people get smacked real good on the boom. Like I said...most falls are slow on the kneeboard/wakeboard.

Tim