Getting better

[bsnook212]

This will be my daughters first full year of wakeboarding. She is 11 and wakeboarded 2 times last year and has been out about 6 times this year. This last weekend she took the fins off her board and is having a blast. Any suggestions to help her get better would be appreciated. (I slalom ski and have never wakeboarded I am no help )

http://youtube.com/watch?v=W-qGCB70PmA

[dogbert]

Get instructional videos:

Higher Education
Detention
The Book

Then, watch them with her. That way you can tell her what she's doing and what she needs to change. I really like Higher Education.

[CP3]

I really like the book. I have the whole set. its really good

[ragboy]

This will be my daughters first full year of wakeboarding. She is 11 and wakeboarded 2 times last year and has been out about 6 times this year. This last weekend she took the fins off her board and is having a blast. Any suggestions to help her get better would be appreciated. (I slalom ski and have never wakeboarded I am no help )

http://youtube.com/watch?v=W-qGCB70PmA

One thing that has really helped my kids...

Take them down to 11mph, and have them practice surface 180s and riding switch. Slowly raise the speed, for her, she should at least get to 18-20. My 9 yr old daughter maddie, is doing 3/4 wake to wake, almost there, and is comfortable at 21, but not 22. The wake really cleans up past 20.

But do the surface 180s at 11, til they have them down. Then move to 14mph. Do it again, til cold. Then move to 18. I see your daughter in the video losing balance and pulling on the rope, doing the surface 180s and riding switch REALLY gives them confidence, and a strong feel for everything the board is going to do.

After that, another couple good exercises, is surfing the wake, and riding through the wake. To surf the wake, from the outside h/s go to the wake and start to go up, and then turn down and back up several times. Til they can do it clean and quick. Then try it t/s.

Riding through the wake, teach them to go out far h/s then coast a bit and turn in, holding their line (progressive edge) all the way to the wake. When they hit the wake, don't pop, or jump, just bend the knees and absorb, trying to keep the board on the water. This helps them to learn how to keep their edge through the wake. Help them not to "pull up" as they get close to the wake. Tell them to hold the line all the way accross. Then do it t/s back.

That should get them a long way.

Lastly, the best thing I have done for my kids, is the infinity tower speakers with the talk back feature. I can coach them as they are boarding, it has made a WORLD of difference. It gives them help and confidence when you are saying HOLD IT, Don't pull up!, etc. And you don't get hoarse.

HTH, I love seeing kids board. My 6 yr old is doing pretty good, and my 2 yr old is putting on the board and floating in the water. Maybe I will get her up by the end of the year.

http://www.garcias.com/