Wakeboarding newbie

[chadyboy]

So I just bought a ski boat 2 weeks ago, and now I'm looking into purchasing a wakeboard. Keep in mind I was raised skiing, tubing, and knee boarding behind a bass boat so this is totally new to me.

I found a yardsale ad on FB with the following listing. Can someone that has knowledge of wakeboards please let me know your thoughts on these brands as to whether I should purchase these?

****WAKEBOARDS FOR SALE**** need to go ASAP! Men's Hyperlite Apex 142 with Focus Size STD with Brand new hyperlite bindings sz 11 && Women's Hyperlite 132 SYN with Blur Size Mini Hyperlite Bindings Sz 7 .... MAKE AN OFFER!!!!!!

 

[akorcovelos]

Re: Wakeboarding newbie

As a beginner you should be more concerned with getting the right sized board and bindings than the brand. Hyperlite makes some decent boards, so if they are the right size go for it. The Apex is an intermediate/advanced level board with a 3 stage rocker. The SYN is a continuous rocker with molded fins. None of this matters if they are not sized for the rider. Here is the sizing guide for Hyperlite: Hyperlite Wakeboard Size Chart 2012 | evo

 

[countryguy1717]

Re: Wakeboarding newbie

142 hyperlite apex is good for 142 and up. But I would take a look at this website. Tells you a lot about size charts and difference between beginner and advanced board set ups. Hyperlite Wakeboard Size Chart | evo

When I was a kid I had just gotten up on a wakeboard, joined the military and just bought a ski boat myself. Bought a hyperlite forefront (intermediate-advanced) and I got right up. I may be biased but I LOVE hyperlite. My friends all have them too. Its a really good brand, but definitely more expensive. You can get similiar boards for cheaper, but I figured I may as well buy a good board than a crappy one then more money on a good board....

One thing to take into account is the fins on the bottom. I learned on a board that had single deep finds on both ends, good for stability. Mine currently has two skags on both ends that arent very deep at all and makes the board a looser in the water.

 

[rallyart]

Re: Wakeboarding newbie

Boots should be comfortable. They should be easier to get on than water ski boots . Spend the money to get a zero stretch wakeboard rope. It will also be great kneeboarding. The lack of stretch will help get pop from the board and make tricks more consistent

 

[chadyboy]

Re: Wakeboarding newbie

so I have went out 2 weekends in a row, and have yet to get up. I first thought the boat didnt have enough "ump", so I went out and bought a hydrofoil (not just for that reason though). I still couldnt get up.

The problem that I am seeing and feeling is as soon as the driver punches it, the wakeboard wants to go underwater, and the water flows over the top. Im thinking now it might be the board?? I have skiied, kneeboarded, tubed all my life and in my head this SHOULD be a piece of cake. any advice?

 

[skydiveD30571]

Re: Wakeboarding newbie

It's all about technique. Those they say the boat doesn't have enough "ump" almost always just don't have the technique down yet. Everybody I pull up is 220lb+ and they pop out so quick the boat doesn't even stumble. But when they were learning they would plow through the water and get super frustrated. It'd definitely not the board, a lot of new riders go through this.

If the board is going under water, you aren't keeping it up high enough. You gotta be squating down into a ball as tight as possible and hold it there, knees to your chest. The board should stay straight up basically and be sticking up slightly out of the water. It will form a wall and you will rotate up over it. Once you feel it the first time it will be a "lightbulb" moment. Then you'll probably start standing up too quick and have to correct for that too. It's a process, enjoy it! Once you get it, you'll see how effortless it really is. There's a ton of instructional videos on youtube as well.

 

[akorcovelos]

Re: Wakeboarding newbie

Let the board go under water. You will actually start riding with the board just under the surface before it plains out. Stay in the chair position as the board goes under, and don't try to stand up until you are up and riding in the chair position. Buy this instructional DVD, you won't regret it. Its brought my riding to a whole new level, I watch it several time per week and always take something new away from it.

The Book Wakeboard: 5 Disc Box Set

 

[rallyart]

Re: Wakeboarding newbie

When you are ready to start you have the rope in both hands and the board about 90 degrees to the boat. Arms straight, legs bent like sitting in a chair. When the boat starts to pull your butt bumps up against the boots. Don't try to stand up. The boat will pull you up out of the water with your butt at your feet. You could ride like that all day but if you stand up early the board sinks into the water too much and the drag eventually pulls the rope out of your hands or you onto your face. Keep squatting until after you are sure.
My daughter got up first time every time her first year. Second year she always tried to stand up too early and sank the board, no matter what we tried to get her to do. Finally she started waiting long enough. She is pretty good now but likes her ski better.
Once you are up get used to sliding the board and doing easy carves inside the wake. If you can't get straight just let go of the back hand and you will recover. In no time you'll be doing great. It actually is easier than two skis.

 

[OneFoot81]

Re: Wakeboarding newbie

YouTube has some great videos also

I start rotating before the board planes. Boat accelerates, your but hits the boots, board pushes water forming pile (1 second) start to stand up and rotate in one motion, keep leaning back and tip up, get that board parralel to boat (1-2 seconds), and now your up.

I was trying to teach a couple people last weekend, who were having the same issues you are describing. I am a beginner and a horrible teacher, so i was having trouble teaching them. They were probably standing up to early, not leaning back enough. When I showed them how i get up, they said I started my rotation earlier than they were envisioning.

 

[countryguy1717]

Re: Wakeboarding newbie

+1 for above. That's what I do once the boat takes off and the water starts coming over the board stay squated start to rotate the board so the nose is up because the the water won't be coming over the top. But don't try to stand until you actually feel the boat pull you up, which by this time should be about 1-2 seconds more max

 

[Husker-Q]

Re: Wakeboarding newbie

don't want to hijack thread - but I am beginner as well and similar questions, and after one time out - didn't get up. How fast should the boat start - very slow throttle or more similar to skiing?

 

[skydiveD30571]

Re: Wakeboarding newbie

depends on the weight of the rider and boat, power of boat, skill of boarder, etc. I have a 21ft with a 5.0 and have to mash it to get most of us up, be we are all 220lb+. A smaller female on the other hand, I would slowly advance throttle and she'd pop out around half throttle or so.

I find it easier to just get it going. Slow throttle advance makes it more difficult to hold on that long and keep the board straight. Just my opinion.

 

[rallyart]

Re: Wakeboarding newbie

My daughter (at age 5) would be up on her brother's board just by putting it in gear. You don't have to start nearly as hard as a slalom ski but similar to two skis. Roll into the throttle, but not too slow. If your boat has trouble on starts anyway you might have to hit it harder. Just don't stand up too early.
(Oh, and I'm told that it is very important to casually pull the legs of your board shorts straight after you are up. At least if there is a teenager in the boat)

 

[2000fourwinns]

Re: Wakeboarding newbie

I have a 2000 Four Winns H200 (20 foot) with 250HP 5.0 and we hit the throttle all the way when coming out of the water. I tried easing into the throttle for my kids (160lbs and 140lbs) but they liked it better to kit it hard. Problem is to start letting off the throttle at about 10 miles per hour or you will over shoot your speed and either go way to fast before getting to wakeboard speed or letting off so quickly that the rider just about wipes out because of the lack of pull.

All great advise above. Dont lean back too far before starting or you will plow. Dont lean too far forward or it will pull you over the board. Stay in a ball as tight as you can until the board is on the water. You can ride like that all day so dont worry about turning the board or trying to stand up. As soon as you get up the first time, you will never forget it. It will be the "lightbulb" like said above.

 

[dugfab]

Re: Wakeboarding newbie

Was in the same boat last year. 20+ yrs since i last water skied / knee boarded . Took three frustrating trips to the lake before I could finally get up. Now 15+ trips out , and I dont even have to think about it. Just tell everyone to stop with the advice and get in the water and youll figure it out. problem is once you do, you want to try to start getting fancy , and that hurts : )

 

[countryguy1717]

Re: Wakeboarding newbie

I have a 5.7 merc in my boat, it depends on your motor and rider as to how much youre gonna need. I like to get up quick so I have my gf give it pretty quick throttle up to about 20mph then she can adjust the speed as i need it. With her I start a little slower once she is up i pick up the speed.

If you go too slow it will be really hard to get up because all that resistance on the board and trying to hold the rope.

Last weekend my gf accidently throttled the boat to 35-40, Once I realized there was no wake anymore and being a semi beginner rider I was trying to signal to slow down without falling at 40. That was a wild ride.

 

[scb1712]

Re: Wakeboarding newbie

I just learned to wakeboard last year, and we had a lot of problems initially as well. All the advice above is good - stay in a ball with the board perpendicular to the boat. We learned that rolling into the throttle worked way better for us (and my brother who is 220 lbs.) and we're only pulling with a 3.0 Volvo Penta I/O.

Also - let the board go under water, but keep your weight back and the leading edge slightly up. As you start moving forward, the board will naturally want to rise to the surface. You can check out this video as well, but there are many of them on youtube.

Water Sports : How to Get Up on a Wakeboard - YouTube

Good Luck!

 

[spdracr39]

Re: Wakeboarding newbie

I have a 5.7 merc in my boat, it depends on your motor and rider as to how much youre gonna need. I like to get up quick so I have my gf give it pretty quick throttle up to about 20mph then she can adjust the speed as i need it. With her I start a little slower once she is up i pick up the speed.

If you go too slow it will be really hard to get up because all that resistance on the board and trying to hold the rope.

Last weekend my gf accidently throttled the boat to 35-40, Once I realized there was no wake anymore and being a semi beginner rider I was trying to signal to slow down without falling at 40. That was a wild ride.

Um I know its hard to remember but you could try letting go of the rope

 

[scb1712]

Re: Wakeboarding newbie

Um I know its hard to remember but you could try letting go of the rope

While i'm guilty of forgetting it too :facepalm: - this is the single best piece of advice for anyone learning to ski or wakeboard

 

[16victor]

Re: Wakeboarding newbie

I just learned (as a longtime, long ago driver for skiiers) to tow my young teen sons on wakeboards...they are rookies. By far the easiest way for them to get up was easing into the throttle and when up, giving it a bit more to keep them up. Got three kids up for the first time that way over the weekend. I was amazed a how little throttle it took. 20' Stingray, 4.3l, 23" prop.