Wakeboard help.
Printed From: CorrectCraftFan.com
Category: General Correct Craft Discussion
Forum Name: Ski, Ride and Foot Talk
Forum Discription: Share photos, techniques, discuss equipment, etc.
URL: http://www.CorrectCraftFan.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=23084
Printed Date: November-15-2024 at 2:03pm
Topic: Wakeboard help.
Posted By: ononewheel
Subject: Wakeboard help.
Date Posted: August-12-2011 at 8:56pm
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Hello,
Thought I might be able to gather some pointers on wakeboarding. I am trying to pull my sons, without much luck. They are both pretty good kneeboarders, but have never skiied. For all I knowthis may be a driver problem, as I have never pulled a boarder before. So here is what is happening. They start with the board not pointing at the boat, and leaning back. We did watch some clips of "How To" on youtube, so I think we have the general technique right. I start to give it gas, not nailing it, they start to ride up, just about out of the water, and the rope popps. Now, I cannot see what is actually happening as there is too much spray. But they both tell me they are getting the rope pulled to the board, and pinching thier knuckles between the board and the rope. I can see from the dents in the knuckles this is actually what is happening. This seems to be the only problem. A little hard to explain maybe, but can someone point us in the right direction? Am I giving it to much gas? I tried to go slower, but it didn't seems to help. Are they fighting the boat too much? I know a tower would help, but that isn't a option right now. |
Replies:
Posted By: Dreaming
Date Posted: August-12-2011 at 11:17pm
Onone, there are better wakeboarders than me on this site, so my advice is worth what you paid for it  I think your sons are getting to where they need to turn the board... Once you start to see that the board is getting a pile of water behind it, turn so that your board is pointing towards the boat... you didn't say anything about knees being bent, but they need to be... bend at the start so that your bum is touching the board, and once the board has planed (after turning forward), then you can stand up. wakeboard starts are very quick due to the large surface area of the board.
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Posted By: Dreaming
Date Posted: August-12-2011 at 11:17pm
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PS - Tower's don't really help, the start is all about technique.
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Posted By: 05 210
Date Posted: August-12-2011 at 11:39pm
http://www.learnwake.com/library/getting-started/getting-up/normal-water-start/ - Your welcome
Mike I meant "you're " welcome. Too many drinks..... ------------- http:/diaries/details.asp?ID=2219" rel="nofollow - Air Nautique 210 Team 640 hours, not 1 regret |
Posted By: 8122pbrainard
Date Posted: August-12-2011 at 11:43pm
Not given, It's rather funny but years back I had the exact same problem with both my son and daughter. It's really not your "driving" skill that comes to play here but a learning curve that your kids need to overcome. They will in time learn how to get out of the water on a wake board. Just keep up the good work at the helm and it will "fall" in place. No, a tower is simply a "crutch" !!! ------------- /diaries/details.asp?ID=1622" rel="nofollow - 54 Atom /diaries/details.asp?ID=2179" rel="nofollow - 77 Tique 64 X55 Dunphy Keep it original, Pete < |
ononewheel wrote:Posted By: DrCC
Date Posted: August-13-2011 at 1:00am
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If you are popping the handle out of their hands.
You need to take it easier on the throttle. |
Posted By: soupbone
Date Posted: August-13-2011 at 4:28am
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It sounds to me like there are 2 problems.
1. The driver is pulling out of the hole a little too hard. (at least for a beginner) Wakeboards have enough surface area to not need a hard start. 2. The riders need to stand up. It seems as if all beginners fight the water way too much waiting for something to happen. Trust that the wakeboard will not sink, and just stand up as you would if you were on land. |
Posted By: ononewheel
Date Posted: August-13-2011 at 5:31am
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Excellent, Thanks for the pointers.
I thought I might have been giving it too much gas. We tried slower, but I think they may have been getting a little tired. One other question. The board has two removable fins, think they should be in for a beginner? One on each end? They seem to think they should be off. |
Posted By: lewy2001
Date Posted: August-13-2011 at 11:34am
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Leave the fins on while they are starting out. It helps the board track straight until they learn how to edge the board properly. ------------- If you're going through hell, keep going http://www.correctcraftfan.com/diaries/details.asp?ID=2999" rel="nofollow - 89 Ski <a href="http://www.correctcraftfan.com/diaries/details.asp?ID=5685" ta |
Posted By: harddock
Date Posted: August-13-2011 at 1:09pm
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I have got kids up on a boom so the tower isn't necessary. Bend the knees, and don't try to resist the pull, let the boat do the pulling. Once up get the rope low and toward your front leg hip. This will help straighten out the board. ------------- http://www.correctcraftfan.com/diaries/details.asp?ID=4487" rel="nofollow - 1998 Ski Nautique |
Posted By: TX Foilhead
Date Posted: August-13-2011 at 2:23pm
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Try this, ease up a little on the throttle, more than half the mistakes I see regularly are the divers fault yanking the rope. Very easy start like the kneeboard, Tell them when the boat moves they need to stand up on the board. The key is the on the board, not on the water, the board will be maybe 45 degrees to the surface as the they start to stand. Another way to try is push the board to the boat as it starts to move. By the way you can do all this in the yard if they want a little practice. Once they start to get where you can see their head it gets easier to tell what's going on. If they're falling twords the boat then they're trying to stand on the surface and getting pulled out the front, they need to stay back more. As long as they stay back the board can slide sideways. Once they're ready to point it forward bring the handle to the side of their front hip and shift their weight more to the back foot.
Now for all you tower haters, it absolutely makes a difference, but you don't have to have it. Having the rope pull up instead of forward is a big help for beginners. Once you're getting some air you're being pulled to the tow point. Having the rope higher gives you some nice 'float' as well as helps keep the line out of the water while you learn to manage it. Once you begin to go above the tower, not a problem for most wakeboarders, you notice even the tower pulling you down. 
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Posted By: KRoundy
Date Posted: August-13-2011 at 3:17pm
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One idea to try. On land, have them put their feet in the board and sit down behind the board. Hand them a rope and stand a few feet in front of them. Then grab the rope (wrap it around your hand a few times) and pull them up to a standing position. This helps them understand the balance between sitting in the water and then getting up. Do it a few times and then hit the water and do it again.
Once they do it a couple of times they will wonder why it was so hard in the beginning. Take some pictures of their success for us! ------------- Previous: 1993 Electric Blue/Charcoal Ski Nautique Current: 2016 Ski Nautique 200 Open Bow |
Posted By: harddock
Date Posted: August-13-2011 at 5:39pm
No one said they hated towers, just that you could wakeboard without one! ------------- http://www.correctcraftfan.com/diaries/details.asp?ID=4487" rel="nofollow - 1998 Ski Nautique |
Posted By: ononewheel
Date Posted: August-13-2011 at 8:16pm
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Thanks guys...
Sunday is the day... 6:30 boat leaves, and the boys are ready now. |
Posted By: Bri892001
Date Posted: August-13-2011 at 8:24pm
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Seems like most people covered the high points already.
I always stress keeping the board as "close to your body" as possible. Knees really, really bent, arms totally straight. Let the board come towards your body as you feel the pull, don't try go push it away like standing on skis. It's ok to come up in a squat and stand after if it makes it easier. I sometimes use a drill where I just drag the person at idle speed and tell them to maintain the position. If they can stay like that, you can just add a little speed and they should come up. |
Posted By: Jllogan
Date Posted: August-16-2011 at 2:42pm
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Yes, it sounds like they are fighting the boat and rope. Most people dont want to let the board slide underneath them, they push with their legs and fight the water pressure (you will lose everytime). Let the board slide underneath you and your upperbody come up perpendicular with the water. Stay squatted then when the board is planing pull the rope to the front pocket and will straighten out.
I have taught several people, almost all get it withint 10 tries with these tips and I just have a regular pylon. Do not fight it or try to do to much. Let the boat pull you forward, the fact their knuckles are hitting the board means they are not letting the board slide under them. Also slow even acceleration makes it easier. ------------- http://correctcraftfan.com/diaries/details.asp?ID=5792&sort=&pagenum=1" rel="nofollow - 1986 Ski Nautique 2001 |
Posted By: Jllogan
Date Posted: August-16-2011 at 2:43pm
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also for the fin, they may get up easier without fins but they wont stay up long without them especially if the water is rough. If they insist. Take them off but go a little slow, This will help the board ride lower in the water for a smoother ride. ------------- http://correctcraftfan.com/diaries/details.asp?ID=5792&sort=&pagenum=1" rel="nofollow - 1986 Ski Nautique 2001 |
Posted By: ononewheel
Date Posted: August-17-2011 at 10:06pm
That is from yesterday. Didn't have any real success on the wakeboard, but they did get up on the "saucer" Anyone remember those? |
Posted By: harddock
Date Posted: August-17-2011 at 11:21pm
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Saucer is actually harder. Now add a stool and start turning around and around. ------------- http://www.correctcraftfan.com/diaries/details.asp?ID=4487" rel="nofollow - 1998 Ski Nautique |
Posted By: Bri892001
Date Posted: August-17-2011 at 11:54pm
| He's working on his balance anyway. Probably a good step. |
Posted By: ononewheel
Date Posted: August-18-2011 at 12:08am
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That is what I am telling him, the saucer is harder. Especially when he stands up without a handle.
It's the old saucer with the tow rope holder. |
Posted By: Dreaming
Date Posted: August-19-2011 at 5:32pm
OOW - it might be helpful to have someone with some experience on the WB in the water with your boarder to help them on the start. Nice Pic  I love that your kids are being adventurous with a non inflatable towable. I think they'll get the wakeboard with more practice!
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Posted By: ononewheel
Date Posted: August-20-2011 at 4:35am
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Thanks.
My youngest got up tonight! I told him do NOT let go. He is up now and happy. Driving, skiing, anything is a blast with an inboard! Especially coming off our last boat last year, a stern drive. Thanks all. I was so excited I forgot to take a pic. Next time. Seth |
Posted By: OverMyHead
Date Posted: August-20-2011 at 5:02am
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Nice job Seth, You can get the extended pylons used very resonable, I think we paid 175 for a stainless fly high. ------------- For thousands of years men have felt the irresistible urge to go to sea, and many of them died. Things got better after they invented boats. 1987 Ski Nautique |
Posted By: ononewheel
Date Posted: August-22-2011 at 4:50am
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I am not sure if the extended pylon will work with the Excel. Maybe but I always thought not. The pylon doesn't go to the floor, only about ten inches exposed.
Maybe will be an option on the SNOB, next year. Right now I have the boat disabled for a repair, but I have a friend who is going to sit in the water with both of them. He claims they might want to start with an end of the board pointed toward the boat, just until he gets a feel for it. |
Posted By: soupbone
Date Posted: August-22-2011 at 5:41am
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Starting with the board pointed toward the boat would be ridiculously difficult for a kid.
I have never heard anyone give that sort of advice. |
Posted By: ononewheel
Date Posted: August-22-2011 at 5:51am
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Glad to hear that.
I have taken the advice given on this post, and put it to the front of the list anyway. We will see what happens, this week. |
Posted By: OverMyHead
Date Posted: August-22-2011 at 11:09am
Ive never seen an excel in person, would one of these work? 
------------- For thousands of years men have felt the irresistible urge to go to sea, and many of them died. Things got better after they invented boats. 1987 Ski Nautique |
Posted By: TX Foilhead
Date Posted: August-22-2011 at 11:45am
| It might, that would make a very tall pylon. There is just enough pylon to mount a boom clamp, that would put the bottom of the extended pylon over the back seat. I was looking at mine while I had the floor, seat and wall out and a better option for the kids might be to one of the pylons someone has taken out of a Super Sport. That would raise it a little to give them the benefit of the upward pull, but not require a cable and some sort of adapter. A tower is the best solution though even if it's not original. |
Posted By: pieapple
Date Posted: August-25-2011 at 5:30am
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AS the tip i think need to take it easier on the throttle. ------------- Cheap Gucci Shoes http://www.buyguccishop.com Polo Shirts Wholesale http://www.wholesalepolonow.com/ |