What's the best way to learn how to wakeboard?

[Ponch]

Trying to learn how to wakeboard. What's the best way to learn?

[Tip]

Get a video, or take a lesson from a pro instructor.

When I started I bought a video that showed all the basics. Once I started to progress I took a few lessons from a pro.

[bneub]

I bought "The Book" DVD and it is great. My riding has improved steadily all summer. They are really good at showing you what to do and explaining why. The order they have you learn things has worked well for me.

[Tequilasun]

Videos are great, Higher Education is a pretty good one.

I have heard great things about "the Book"

Are you trying to learn on your own, or do you have someone who is experienced with you? That will make a huge difference.

[bfrank]

Learn to ski it's more fun!!!!!!

[harv]

I have previously coached and or taught wakeboarding and if there is one thing that I learned from teaching first timers is that it is different for almost everyone. I had a list of various tips on how to get up on the board. Sometimes I'd reach the end of my list and make up a new one.

Once up, the basics were all the same.

Good luck.

Bfrank, I used to ski but haven't now since wakeboarding. I haven't skied for approx. 12 years. But I admit it can be fun.

[Coach]

Great replys so far. Higher Education is a great video.

Everyone is very different. Size and athleticism play huge rolls in how each person is able to learn. My wife got up the very first time she tried as it took me a lot of attempt to first get up. I weight 225 lbs and it takes a lot more force to get me out of the water as my wife is 100 lbs and she come right out.

I did find once I let my butt hit my calves as I was being pull then stand up helped a lot. I have been able to get just about everyone up behind my boat that has tried, except for my sister (we are not a very athletic family). It take many tries and for newbies the feeling of boat pulling them is very wierd. As long as they learn to lean back and pull the boat towards them and let the board be a point of pressure they will be ok. It is easier said than done for many. Once they get the feeling you will see them get going no problem. Also a tower is a huge help, we all learned behind my jet from the ski tow which is low and makes it much harder.

[yllw20]

i taught my wife by having her get in and put the board up to the platform(boat not running) and just have her reach up and i pull her hand up like helping someone up to the standing postition. this gave her the feel of how to get up...she then had no probs.....btw watch out for catching an edge!

[Redlined]

I would try and find someone with some experience to take you out and show you the easier paths'. Otherwise, you will spend a lot of time working on faceplants, nosejobs, and eyelid peelers.

[bfrank]

Bfrank, I used to ski but haven't now since wakeboarding. I haven't skied for approx. 12 years. But I admit it can be fun.

Then you were skiing with the wrong people!!!!!

[Redlined]

Your kidding about the skiing being more fun right?

[bfrank]

Hell no.....just think about it!!!!

[dogbert]

Originally posted by Redlined
Your kidding about the skiing being more fun right?

Nope, but you gotta be able to ski like bfrank! Nothin' like a good ski run early in the morning when the water's like glass. Gets my blood going for the rest of the day (so I can wakeboard)

[bfrank]

Thanks for the vote of Confidence Dogbert.

Just think about glass water....a slalom course....no jet skiers......34 mph .... and cutting it up like there's no tomorrow........

That's my nirvana!!!!!

Not to change the subject but we have had a boat of wakeboards lastly that like to hang around the course and make waves. What really sucks is I am located on one of the largest inland lakes in the country. They have a ton of spots to check out but prefer the course.

How would you politically ask them to move with out P*ssing them off???

[Redlined]

What time are you riding or trying to ride? Sounds like there's plenty of traffic, so I would guess not early and not late. It's tough to pay each WBer off witha 12 pack, so you need to "adjust" or enjoy the company of rollers. In my area, if you want the glass, you gotta get out too the glass. That means we rise and ride, very early on the weekends and we ride very late during the week. This ensures us the best conditions, least crowds, etc.