Wakeboard Beginner

[lincdarrow]

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I need some advice on Hyperlite fins

I am just starting and I have a 140 board with what seem to be real aggressive fins I think they are 1.6

I noticed last evening that I can hardly switch direction and when I get it turned it really grips the other direction.

I am just trying to get comfortable on the board (I love slalom skiing and now have really liked the wakesurfing, but I have a board and want to act like I am still 21, even though I am 36.

Hyperlite 140
36 years old
190
6'0"



Is my board the right size?
Should I change fins out to get more comfortable switching the board around?

[Fast1911]

The board should be the right size for your weight, I just took 2" fins off my wife's board and put on 1" fins so she can start turning easier also, practice practice practice

[balair]

what model/year is it? does it have molded in fins with a removable fin in the center?

[rogersbm82]

What speed are you trying to rotate at. The fins won't grip as well at slower speeds. When I was practicing surface 180's I would have the driver take his time pulling me out of the water. I would be going fast enough to be on top but not fully planed out. It is much easier to do then. Once you get the hang of it. Do it at full speed.

[Dan and Christy]

If your focus point is switching, I would take the fins off completely. The board will feel much looser but it will release much easier.

[turbonine]

Which model hyperlite? what year? If you don't know year what do the graphics look like?

I would say that 1 inch fins are good for a beginner, unless there is molded fin at all, then 1.5 is good.

You will soon learn that fins don't help or inhibit you from turning, They help with tracking.

[lincdarrow]

I will check later on the model. 140 and the center fin is replaceable. Pretty Radical Graphics (light blue & White on top) with a purple Dragon on the bottom side.

I think I am going to find a 1" fin to try on it.

[murphini]

Few thoughs:
1. If you like slalom, the grip of the fins should be comfortable for you.

2. I ride a 143 Trip: 3 fins, can't hardly switch, but I love the absolute carving action it has. When I want to ride (try to ride) switch, I use my son's 138 without fins. It's Loosey-goosey, fun to slur it around for a while, but I prefer the control of the fins more than the spinning of his 138.

3. Switch is fun. Faceplanting ain't. It is a good astro-physics lesson to observe how time slows down at the speed of light when your face has already hit the water and your brain is still thinking...hmmmm I'm starting to fall.... Gotta fall to learn though.

4. You can act 21 at any age. On my 44th birthday I told my wife she is luck to be married to basically (2) 22 year olds. To quote the Toby Keith song,

"I ain't as good as I once was, but I'm as good once as I ever was."

[dogbert]

If your focus point is switching, I would take the fins off completely. The board will feel much looser but it will release much easier.

x2. You really don't need the fins. My son takes them off immediately and learns to ride without them.

[Seanmcd]

Remove the fins.....You'll thank me later

[trudelle]

I ride a 2006 Obrien natural 144 and it has 8 molded fins and 2 (.7) center fins. it tracks awsome and i am still able to surface 180 or surface 360. I am a beginner and to help you out all i have to say is to remember to shift your weight and transfer the handle when doing surface 180 & 360's. think about it while you are on land (what you have to do while shifting your weight to complete the trick). and as others have said practice practice practice.

[balair]

fins are mostly for grip when you edge or cut in and when you land. Without the fins the board will not grab as well when you land and wond edge as hard. If you watch pros you will notice that when they switch they usually olly and spin rather than spin the board on the water because they use the fins. without the board will slide around on you more which will give you the ability to spin the board and do wake slides. I have the byerly blunt fin on my byerly 56". It's only 1" deep and about half as long as other fins. It was used first on his wakeskate and they brought it over to the board.

[lincdarrow]

Hyperlite Belmont 140
I put 1.3 A's on it tonight. When I get back out there I will let you all know if there is a difference.
Man I wish I did not have to go down and watch my HOGS get Killed by Texas on Saturday. It is killing my lake time.

[Carter13]

Nothing comes easy my man.
You gotta pay your dues.

[balair]

Hyperlite Belmont 140
I put 1.3 A's on it tonight. When I get back out there I will let you all know if there is a difference.
Man I wish I did not have to go down and watch my HOGS get Killed by Texas on Saturday. It is killing my lake time.

ok the A-wing is going to grip tighter than the P-wing since it has such a sharp end. the P is much more rounded in the back allowing to rotate easier.
P-wing

A wing