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How To Wakeboard Tips – Secrets To Successful Wake Jumps! Part One

January 10, 2008 by Leave a Comment

When it comes to learning how to wakeboard, it’s only natural that finding out how to achieve good wakeboard jumps is something that beginner wakeboarders want to learn right away. Can’t say I blame them! That’s because many beginners have quickly worked out that approaching the wake jump correctly is the doorway to all kinds of fancy, crowd-pleasing maneuvers and tricks.

The secret to successful wakeboarding jumps is not high speed. The secret lies rather in a nice progressive edge towards the wake whilst maintaining a tight tow-rope. You begin by smoothly rolling out of your turn and then gently edging towards the wake. Some good advice: don’t turn too fast because if you end up with some slackness in the rope – you may be yanked frontward, off balance.

The secret to successful wakeboarding jumps is not determined by lift, either. It’s not about how hard you try to lift off the wake – it’s all about how you manage the tow-rope tension – is truly the key when it comes to successful, good-looking wake jumps. It’s also worth mentioning well-controlled timing, too. Popping that wake with taut, rigid tow-rope tension is another key to well-managed wake jumps.

Now that we have learned the importance of maintaining a tight tow-rope, we need to examine the four approaches. Go now to Part Two.

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How To Wakeboard Tips – The ‘Method Air’ Maneuver

January 10, 2008 by Leave a Comment

Learning One of the Coolest Wakeboard Moves of All:

The Method Air – an intermediate level maneuver – is considered one of the coolest wakeboard moves, so is well worth listing here for your consideration and instruction. The Method Air is found in many board sports such as skateboarding and snowboarding but found it’s origins in skating.

Method air in snowboarding is described as a half pipe aerial maneuver. The snowboarder grabs the heel-edge with the front hand, bends both knees and pulls the board to head level. Watch any snowboard half-pipe competition and it’ll be there! But for all the wakeboarding groovers – here’s the cool wakeboard version:

Approach the wake heel-side with a smooth and unswerving cut. Roll onto your edge and bend your knees.
Try to reach maximum speed as you leave the wake.
Build your speed gradually to optimize your air time. Don’t jerk on the handle to fix your body into position.
Relax and drop your lead hand. Always try to keep the rope tight. Keep your shoulders above the board.
So loft, drop your lead hand as you keep the rope tight. As you drop your hand, draw your front foot across the front of your body.
At the same time, grab your back rail or method. (You can grab method a number of ways.
One way is to grab in front of your lead foot. Another way is to grab between your feet.)

Now, lift your back leg out towards the back of the boat. Actually this part is more important than landing the trick. It’s the ‘style-part’ of the maneuver. Now release the grab, let the board back around and land on the other side of the wake.

To simplify – try the trick initially without the grab. Go for the grab later. Just loft, drop your lead hand, pull your front leg across your body, bring it back and land. That will give you the feeling of the trick. Have fun!

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How To Wakeboard Tips – Getting The Most Out Of Your Very First Wakeboarding Experience!

December 31, 2007 by Leave a Comment

Keeping It Simple!

The growing sport of wakeboarding is also spurning many hot destination spots all over the world including Taxi des Mers on the French Riviera at Nice, France; Alphavillage – an eco village in Brazil – which has regular international competitions; and Portugal International Waterski and Wakeboard Center – which is located on a private lake, 1 hour east of Lisbon – offering learning from beginner to expert levels.These specialized wakeboarding hotspots have holiday and vacation packages allowing you to develop and enjoy your favorite pastime whilst relaxing at an exotic resort locale. If you do want to try your hand at wakeboarding for the very first time or you are being urged to – by your friends, family or spouse – here’s some really straightforward tips to keep it all nice and simple for you!

1. Ask someone to show you the way. This sounds really simplistic – but we learn best and quicker from watching someone else. So if you have someone you trust with you – simply ask them would they mind acting as your mentor for the maiden trip.

2. Point the wakeboard in the proper direction and ask for a slow start. Inform the boat driver that you are in fact a newbie! This will go a long way in ensuring all due consideration to you the novice!

3. Ask your mentor to position you comfortably on the wakeboard, especially the position of your leader foot – whether it is your right foot or the left.

4. Consider the bindings, which for beginners mean you simply should ensure stability. Have the bindings at just the right angle with your feet comfortably placed on the wakeboard.

5. Use a buoyancy vest to keep you from submerging below the water’s level. This is not only for your safety but will engender a more enjoyable maiden ride and de-spook any sudden spills.

6. Make sure that the tow-rope used is comparatively stiffer and shorter than others. This is so you can more easily manage and maintain tightness on the tow-line at all times.

Happy first wakeboarding ride!

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