When it comes to learning the secrets to successful wake jumps. We need to understand that there are 4 fundamental postures or approaches that can be used: middle, seated and tall and another which is a synthesis of the middle-to-tall:
For a middle approach – keep your knees slightly bent, with some break at the waist. Bend your elbows a little. Keep the handle low – you will need to sustain a low centre of gravity. Keep this position as you go through the approach. Shift gently on to your heels and lean on your lower back. Maintain this posture all the way through the approach. Apply for wake jumps and backrolls.
For the seated approach – break at your waist more and your lower body in a squatted or crouched position and keep it low. The upper body posture should be tall. Tuck in the handle position here. This will assist you greatly as you execute the actual pop on the wake. These seated posture approaches can be utilized in grabs and spins.
For the tall approach method – go in really tall with your waist locked-in and knees slightly bent. Done correctly you’ll feel the tension more in your upper back. In this position you want to increase your centre of gravity to your upper body, rather than at waist position. The focal point is your shoulders. This approach is primarily used for the Raley maneuver.
Then there is the middle-to-tall approach. As stately already, this is a synthesis technique. Begin with the previously mentioned middle approach – keep your weight evenly distributed on the board. About 2-3 feet before reaching the wake begin your pop by releasing your body more into the standing position. While in the air keep your chest open and your head up. Don’t look down. Your wakeboard should now be pointing towards your landing spot. Upon landing, bend your knees so that the shock will be absorbed.
In all these approaches it is the tall approach which will have the tightest line tension. This allows the greatest propelling effort with all these approaches. Having said all that, you’ll notice by observation of instructional videos and other riders that there is a myriad of mixed styles so experiment a little and take your time to create your own individual wakeboarding style.
Take care and see you on the water!
