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**Joeprunc** · 07-20-2009, 08:20 PM

Honestly I know nothing about wake surfing, but I've surfed (in the ocean) my whole life (well until I moved last Sept). And the biggest thing with surfing small waves is generating speed (cause the wave sure as hell won't do it for you). But here's what my thoughts are....
1) You can spend more coin and get a larger wake (larger waves produce more power to keep you afloat)
2) Hop onto a larger board, I have no clue what these wakesurf boards are made of, but I would recommend an Epoxy, way more buoyant (looks like the one in the picture is and Epoxy). My regular short board in the ocean is a 5'-10" X 2 1/8" x 18 1/4", when I ride an epoxy a 5'-5" X 2" X 19" seems big.
3) I haven't followed your threads, but I would recommend getting back on a skateboard. Practice generating speed on a slightly slanted surface (like on a long driveway), by gyrating with smooth left and right turns. Every time you turn up the slope try generating speed bending and straightening your knees and body (a lot like vert skating). What you are doing is generating speed off the bottom of the slope to propel you forward and up the face of the drive way (or wake). Then translate that to your wakesurfing (while holding onto the rope). You should be doing a small bottom turn on the bottom of the face of the wake (if you go to low on the wake you will loose speed and the wave). I would recommend scooting your stance back a few inches on the board for this. Also from the picture it looks like you should point your board more down the line of the wake vs at the boat.
4) You may want to play with speeds (Again I know nothing about wakesurfing but am trying to relate it to other water sports). Just like wakeboarding, skiing, and surfing (in the ocean) the faster you go, the easier it is to stay afloat thus less drag. But also the faster you go, the less wake so I'm sure their is a happy medium (maybe that 10.8 mph is it).

Those are my thoughts from a surfing point of view...but again with wakesurfing none of those may apply.

**Surfdad** · 07-20-2009, 08:21 PM

It's amazing what a picture can tell. My two cents in here. A bigger board would NOT hurt you during this time. Check with Ragboy on his cruiser, it'll make things much easier.
In the picture above, you have that wakeboard stance. You've shifted your weight to your rear leg, which effectively puts the brakes on. You want equal weight on both legs. You've done a good job of moving forward and towards the wake, equal weight distribution might do the trick. You really are close.

Also, don't be in a hurry to toss the rope just yet. Focus just on getting slack in the rope. Once there's slack you're surfing, but when you fall out the back, you don't have to start all over again - it will increase your riding time 4 x's at this stage and quite frankly that's all this stage is about - more mileage. Once you can consistently get slack, TOOS that puppy.

Your wake looks ok to me, the board is too small - I'd invest in that before anything else and then also work on that stance and just getting slack.

**ragboy** · 07-20-2009, 08:29 PM

2 bags in rear locker should be enough. 5'6" should work, but 5.0 may be a stretch, depending on the board. I have some video of a guy learning, on our wake9 6.0 cruiser. We are making a general how to video, with several newbies. Should be done soon. A bigger board makes things easier, you don't have to work so hard. If you have some recent video, then it would be REAL easy to help you.

If the issue is staying in the sweet spot, so the wave pushes you, I can give you some common tips.

1. Make sure you feet are closer to the wave side, you need to keep the board on the wave side edge or every time you get in the "spot" you will want to fall out and away from the wake. Make sure you are square, facing the wake. Your stance above looks ok.

2. if you are "see-sawing", which is coming forward, then going back and hitting end of rope, then rinse, repeat... Try going to the back of the rope and get stable first, take your time. Even go away from wake a bit, just relax and get your balance, again, take your time, the wake isn't going anywhere. Then get your feet right, as discussed above and go to wake, still at end of rope. Then start moving toward boat and in wake by putting weight on your front foot. Here is the key, move to the boat VERY slowly til you hit the spot. The problem most have, is they go forward fast, then overshoot, and have to pull up to not hit the boat. They pull up hard, and then go to far back, and hit the end of the rope, over and over. The trick to this, is just come forward VERY slow. So when you start to feel the SPOT, you can just do a minor correction to slow down and stay in it.

So, take your time, get your balance and stance before getting in the wave. Then head in at the end of the rope, and come forward VERY slow, nice and easy. Think calm, happy thoughts. ;-)

**ragboy** · 07-20-2009, 08:30 PM

Yes, what surfdad said. You stance is square, but you look like you are pulling up like he said.

**majestic** · 07-21-2009, 12:15 AM

I too was frustrated 6 weeks ago when I couldnt get rid of the rope and we simply found a little more weight and increase in speed was the trick for us. I have a 1000lb custom sac on the way and I hope to see even more improvement.

We are now surfing at 12mph with taps at 6 using a L-shape surf sac that allegidly only fills to 455lbs.

**dogbert** · 07-21-2009, 12:59 AM

So, here's a pic of what you want to be doing...notice how my son's shoulders are over his feet.

**chpthril** · 07-21-2009, 01:55 AM

800lb's is a good weight for a 22'r, but IMO, the 24 needs a bit more. Also, I was amazed at how much faster the 24's want to go then the 22's do to make a decent wake. We surfed our 22ve at 10to 10.5 and the wake was clean with lots of push. the pocket wasn't too long, but we just rode for fun, so it was perfect. But i saw in xp's 24 that the wake washed out below 11mph.

So add some more weight, in peeps at first, then speed up just a little and see. like surfdad said, a pic is worth a million.

**ragboy** · 07-21-2009, 04:32 AM

With about 1000 lbs on the one side plus a few people, I can get a wake, at about 10.5 but not slower. 11 is good at my weighting. But with less weight, you can go slower.

**murphini** · 07-21-2009, 01:38 PM

I like the pic of dogbert's son--makes sense to get weight more forward. I suspect I'm still having too much rear foot weight

Board: The threads I've read say the inland surfer blue is good big board--any best suggestions of where to buy online?

Ragboy--are you going be selling a version "cruiser" on Wake9? Good videos btw--that is helping me get stoked to surf. I rode probably 8x last weekend, holding on to rope til I was all the way back, then pulling in close, tried pumping in/out....then when I thought I had semi slack after a while would let go...then drift out.

Chptrhil: will start with peeps--and maybe find a big bag since I'll really need bags for both sides. Recommendations on best place and which to buy are appreciated.

Like Ragboy says, I'm not whining, I'm having fun* trying to get this...and it will be more FUN! when I do get it.

**ragboy** · 07-21-2009, 02:38 PM

Yes, here are some pics.

http://picasaweb.google.com/wakenine/Wake9Cruiser#

The board as you see it is $699. Its a larger board, and shaped and built by hand. Maybe someday we will be making them in China or something and they won't be so expensive. I will be putting up video of the board this week. It is both a great board to learn on, but it is NOT a pig. It is still very fun and moves very well.

I am going to put up a purchase page, as soon as I work out the method of shipping, so that it won't be $100 bucks to ship also. I should have shipping down to $60, which is what I am working on.

Here are some more pics.

http://picasaweb.google.com/wakenine/NewWake9Cruiser#

And I will just put in 2 of my favs.

I don't have it installed in the pics, but at that price the board comes with full traction, the custom graphics, and the 3 fin thruster setup as seen. You can contact me off list at robert - at - wake9.com if you have further questions.

**Duncan** · 07-21-2009, 02:56 PM

^^^ That last pic should sell lots of boards

**ragboy** · 07-21-2009, 03:04 PM

I have taught about 6 adults and one 17 yr old, in just a couple of weeks on this board. Weight ranges from 180 to 275 lbs. I have a couple more things to do, and then putting it all in video.

**Ptown** · 07-27-2009, 04:29 PM

One thing I have heard to try to solve the stance is to stand up a little more (Not bend the knees so much). That can make it easier to get your weight centered over your feet.

**Timmy!** · 07-27-2009, 05:24 PM

Don't feel bad, my wife has been trying to free ride for 2 years now and FINALLY, FINALLY got it yesterday. I've given her countless pointers on what to do and where to position her feet, etc and it just never worked for her for some reason. Yesterday she finally figured out how to shift her weight forward and backward on her own and free rode for the first time...for about 8 minutes straight! I was so excited that she finally "got" it.

One more thing, stand up and relax, it makes it easier to shift your weight back and forth IMO.

Announcement

ugh..another "I can't surf yet" thread

ugh..another "I can't surf yet" thread

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