First time Wakesurfing - need help with weight and speed

[kjohnson709]

The title pretty much says it. This will be my first summer with my 24V and we went out to try and surf with it for the first time a couple of weekends ago. I was not able to get enough push to let go of the rope. I also think that my brother isn't a very competent driver hahaha (since it was the first time trying to surf and the water was rough).

Here is a video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BpWn...ature=youtu.be

The weight I have:
1 750# sac
2 400# sac

The set up I tried:
750 in the surf side locker
400 on seat (surf side)
400 in bow (surf side)
3 people in boat - all sitting on the surf side
Speed - we tried everything from 10-12 mph

I know that many of you run a lot more weight but this is all I have at the moment. Is this enough weight to make a ridable wave (I think it should be)? Should I put the bow weight in the back as well? Where should I start my taps out at? Also, should the driver be driving in a big circle (turning which way - toward surf side or away?)

I need to get this dialed in at least a little bit so I can be prepared for Lake Mead.

Thank you for the help!

[Ditch Doctor]

Not 100% sure on the weight setup for your boat but I would guess you need more in the back with a 24V. Turning away from the surfer will wash out the wave. We stay strait and turn into the surfer if we need to extend the pocket. Just start the TAPS at nothing and work your way up to clean up the wave. I'm fairly new at it as well so I'm sure some of these guys on here can help you out more than me.

[kjohnson709]

Thanks for the reply. I tried putting the extra 400# on the floor in the back but then I had a lot of bow rise. Do you know if it is possible/safe to stack two filled fat sacs on top of one another in the same rear locker?

[davcoug]

It looks to me like you are going faster than 10-12. Might try slowing down a little.

[jbgp1200]

Looks fast to me but its probably not. We are usually around 11.2 but each boat and rider is different. Wave looks ok to me. We surf behind my buddies Nautique 205 with even and less weight and the wave looks very similar.

I'm sure you will get some great help on here but ill do my best.

My first suggestion and easiest way I've seen people learn is don't worry about letting go of the rope. If you are a beginner or its just a new wave, use it as a training wheel so you can learn what you need to do to stay in the pocket. We have a 1 minute rule. If you don't ride for at least a minute with or without the rope, beer is on you. I will still just lightly dangle it from my hand even when I don't need it for minutes at a time and not even need it when I'm practicing. No shame in keeping that rope till you are really comfortable. So the best suggestion I can give you is forget about dropping the rope for now. Even when you feel like you are right in the pocket, just ride the wave and keep the rope loose and on hand if you need it. You will know when you are in the pocket and comfortable using that front and back foot when you need to. Before you know it you will popping up and throwing it after being up for 2 seconds.

My other suggestion would be to move both your back and front foot forward. Heck move that back foot way forward till you get the feel of staying in the pocket. For new riders ive found that it is easier to put weight on your back foot then it is your front so it helps them to shift everything forward. Also may want to try moving your toes closer to the edge of the board. all aspects of the wake, water conditions, boards and riders are different. Just have to play with your footing and practice putting weight on your front foot for throttle and back foot for brakes.

Good luck.

[kjohnson709]

We started at 10.5 on the perfect pass and then kept ticking up. But that assumes the perfect pass is correct. I will try slowing down.

jbgp1200 - thank you for the advise. I know i definitely need to work on my stance. I am standing tall as if I am about to pop off the wake on my wakeboard.

[BCRider]

As soon as you let go of the rope all your weight was on your rear foor....put the breaks on hard.lol.

I always tell new people to stand tall otherwise when the bend over they stick there but out and it does more harm than good. To me the biggest thing is to keep your movements small as everything is delayed. Surfing really is "all in the hips" forward, back, side to side. In your video you are making big movements so you go rocketing forward then heavy on the back foot and end up yanking on the rope again. Keep it small. It really is the best way to figure out your balancing point and finding that spot where the wave will push you forward. From there you can work away from that spot but know where you have to get back too to stay in the wave. Stand tall with your chest up. bend in the legs without bending over. When standing on the board (being regular) and the boat is at your 9 o'clock I always think of having my weight distributed at about the 10-11 o'clock. IE. Slightly on the front foot and on your toe edge. If you think of it as snowboarding or skateboarding you are doing a constant toeside turn to stay in the wave. Keep your hips under you. If you perk your butt out back you just pushed your center of balance out back as well.

[kjohnson709]

Thank you very much BCRider. I think your tips on stance will help a lot.

As far as my set up though, are we thinking I have enough weight and have the boat weighted correctly. It sounds like it is all in developing my riding skills.

[chpthril]

I would verify my speed. In that video, looked pretty fast. 700+ in the locker, a 400 in the seat, nothing in the bow and nothing in the off-side, 11 mph and TAPS about 4 should have about a wast high wave with lots of push.

Drive straight, no circle needed.

Stance of that rider looked kinda heel side. Need to shift the weight to the balls of the feet.

[kjohnson709]

Thank you Mike, I knew either you or one of the other Masters could give me a good starting point for speed and taps. I bet my speedo/perfect pass isn't quite calibrated right. I also know I need some work on my stance/riding. I have never surfed in my life!

[Thegerman618]

KJohnson, where exactly in Riverside are you located? I will be happy to meet you, drop off, and loan you the weight you will need to Surf (if your interested). I have a 1100 jumbo v-drive for the surf side locker, use one of your 400 on the surf side in front of the 1100 that I'll loan you. Take that 750 put that in the bow center between the seats. This is what I would call a moderate set up and ran this on same setup on mine for half a season, until I went surf geek and ran as much as I am willing to run now. Let me know if your interested, text or call I leave you my number in your PM. Here is a photo of my girlfriend surfing with the recommended setup above. If your happy with the results, or want to go bigger later on I will kindly refer you the master Chpthril.
image.jpg

[Jesture]

I agree the video looks fast. In addition to the comments already made here, I would have the two people in the boat (assume the 3rds the driver) shift around and see how it changes the wake. This will give you an idea where to add or remove weight. Finally, make sure you have a surf board designed for your weight. There are plenty of experts here who know boards and can give a recommendation.

[kjohnson709]

Thanks guys!

German618, that wave looks awesome. I will reply to your PM right now.


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[Chaos]

The wave is OK, but not ideal for a beginner. It does look fast as many have suggested. Video can be deceiving, but do check your speed.

The rider is definitely way to heavy on the rear foot, and a bit heavy heel side. You need your torso centered up over your hips . CWB ride is OK to learn on, but you need to be heavy on the toes pushing the rail into the wake.

Nick