BoarderBestBuy is busting out the Inland Surfer 4-Skim

[LovinPowell]

I saw that the Pink 4-Skim from inland surfer is on sale today. So my question is, for someone who is still trying to accomplish a surface 360, would the 4-skim make it any easier, or would it be better to go with the newest edition of the Yellow Loogey?

[dogbert]

IMHO, it's easiest to do the surface 360 on a surfskate such as a TrickBoardz. Even if you bury an edge or the front/back of the board, it's pretty forgiving.

[Surfdad]

Lovin' where are you having trouble with your 3? If you're having trouble completing the rotation - that is you rotate slow and wind up blowing out the back - a board that allows a quicker rotation will help that. If, however, you're over-rotating where it feels like your 360 turns into a 410 a single fin pintail will only excaserbate that problem.

What is the usual result of your 3 attempts? Bury the leading rail? Under-rotate and blow out the back or over-rotate and lose the wake?

[LovinPowell]

Lovin' where are you having trouble with your 3? If you're having trouble completing the rotation - that is you rotate slow and wind up blowing out the back - a board that allows a quicker rotation will help that. If, however, you're over-rotating where it feels like your 360 turns into a 410 a single fin pintail will only excaserbate that problem.

What is the usual result of your 3 attempts? Bury the leading rail? Under-rotate and blow out the back or over-rotate and lose the wake?

Definately not over rotating. Most of the time we (me and my oldest three kids) just are not making it all the way around. On the few occasions that we do make it all the way around, we fall out the back.

My son posted some of the falls on you tube, they make it look worse than we are, and are somewhat dated, but still represents our struggles.

here is the link to one of them:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-KHq2sN8Qew

There are others that he has posted as well, if you type in "akamoroti" in the you tube search, about five videos will show up.

[da.bell]

[Surfdad]

Oh yeah, that's kind of ugly. It looks like the board is properly sized for everyone in that video...the kids would be ok with a smaller board. However, that isn't really the issue here, IMO.

Everyone is attempting to use their hand as the only source for the rotation - they surf straight and drag a hand.

Two things that I think will help and what I'd suggest is that everyone to focus on getting the board around - don't initially worry about landing the 3.

1) Turn up and into the wake as you drag your trailing hand - so it should be a slight drive forward and then UP and INTO the wake, while simultaneously dragging your trailing hand.

2) Push in the direction of the rotation with your rear foot. It doesn't have to be BIG, but push the tail around to assist with the START of the rotation.

Try those two things first and see if that doesn't get the rotation going for everyone. The general start and form look ok, just a too slow rotation.

[LovinPowell]

I feel like our skeletons are now out of the closet. I will have to have my son post up a better video, because there are a lot of times when we've made it all the way around, just fallen out the back.

That being said, we will have to try your suggestions and seehow it works. If we don't have it down by August, I may have to hook up with Surfdad as we will be visiting the in-laws in Lodi. That might make the trip worth it.

[Surfdad]

You're always welcome out on our Tige, we hit the lake twice each week during the summer, just give me a shout. Hey Lovin' while I have you...we are trying to expand the number of grassroots contests such that each state has one. Is there any chance I can talk you into helping us stage one in Utah? Or perhaps you know of some folks in your area that would be interested?

[LovinPowell]

You're always welcome out on our Tige, we hit the lake twice each week during the summer, just give me a shout. Hey Lovin' while I have you...we are trying to expand the number of grassroots contests such that each state has one. Is there any chance I can talk you into helping us stage one in Utah? Or perhaps you know of some folks in your area that would be interested?

Sure, I'll do what I can. I know that there are quite a few in Utah that would love to help as well. What do you want us to do?

[Surfdad]

Hey Lovin',

That's great news! What we are doing collectively is holding small grassroots contests in as many states as possible. Here in California we will have one in Southern California and another in Northern California due to the geographic isolation. We also have contests gearing up in Ohio, Indiana, Minnesota and Texas. I'm working on Oregon and Florida also for this summer. Each contest will be a "state" championship and that will lead to a National Championship. We had originally discussed the nationals event leading into Centurions World Wakesurfing championship, but I'm not sure where they stand any longer.

There is a Centurion dealership - M&M I believe is the name that is very supportive of wakesurfing and they may be willing to be a boat sponsor. I get a little concerned relying so heavily on Centurion, should they decide to change their mind or marketing strategy, so I would like to see NON Centurion dealerships involved also. Plus I think the Centurion folks would prefer NOT to be seen as a freak - the only boat company that does wakesurfing.

The easiest thing would be to contact a local NWL club and convince them to hold a wakesurfing contest. I can get you the contact info for the closest club in your area. They would then do everything, but you would have to provide the rules, judges and sponsors. I can get you a few boards to be given away as prizes and the trophies can be acquired for about a total of $10 - easy enough to get a sponsor to cover that. I'll get you the rules and judging documents.

The rest is mostly carrying it out and having a good time and making sure that James, Judy and I get to be there! I try to get to each years new contests.

IF there isn't a viable NWL club in existence then you have to create it. That's a bit harder, but if you think there are folks in the area that would like to have contests and gatherings in the future on an ongoing basis, this route makes the most sense. It's a bit more complicated, but not hard.

Shall I get that local club listing?

Thanks so much for your consideration. Any other Tige addicts reading this if you have any interest in hosting an event, please let me know. I would greatly appreciate it.

[LovinPowell]

yes that would be good to see if there is a club nearby. I'm pretty sure that we can solicite the help of others to get something off the ground (water). When talking about boat dealer's, Matt of Boats of Nevada (formerly) comes to mind first.

[sacnvr2l8]

contests

Hijack....Jeff Send me a PM or you've got my email...i can help set one up in WA...We can probably get inland surfer to sponsor since they are here in WA anyway...I think the UW may even have a wakesurfing club... and I know WA has a wakesurf group on myspace...

[Surfdad]

Hey Guys thanks so much for the interest, I'll get contact info for UT and WA. Scott, I was talking with Jeff P at inland and he gave me a contact email with some folks that want to host an event.

[sacnvr2l8]

please forward maybe we can all get together...