tips for teaching newbies to surf?

[Guest]

A couple of weeks ago I had two watersport newbies trying to get up on the surfboard and they were struggling with getting their bodies in the right position to have the board stick to their feet and then when they did pop up they really struggled with balance. I have to believe that there are some tips of things to do differently when teaching and driving for newbies.

What I do is have them put their feet on top of the board and then I pop it in gear and the board rolls up to their feet. Then I make sure they are ready and hit it. They are really struggling holding the proper body position and board to their feet that few seconds before I hit it. The only time they get close to getting up is when we almost get lucky and I hit it before they have a chance to lost the board.

I just taught myself and with board experience (wakeskate) it was easy for me to get up, and I have an indo board at the house, so I am at a loss for additional tips.

Here are my questions...

- Rope Length - how close to the boat do you have your newbies? I usually am just a couple of feet behind the platform and off to the side I surf on, but I know how to get up. For me it is easier to get up in front of the wake. I see in some pics some newbies are pretty far back, does that help?

- Tower or ski pylon - I was using the ski pylon, mostly to get the rope away from the passengers in the boat, but I wonder if for a newbie is would be easier from the tower, a better angle to get up?

- Speed - I am going to try going a little slower with the newbies, I read a few threads that suggested that until they get the feel of getting up. Any recomendations on how fast or slow to accelerate?

I know practice will get them there, but any tips would be appreciated, I know many of you have taught people with varying levels of physical fitness successfully.

[dogbert]

A couple of suggestions:

• Boat Speed - remember, the board's pretty big and won't take much to float even the biggest person, so take it easy on starts...gradually increase speed...it'll help with balance and you won't wear them out
• don't push against the board - let the boat work for you...the rope's short and if it's on the tower's tow point, it should naturally pull you up...try practicing on dry land, pretty much the same way you'd pull somebody up from a sitting position...have them try it with both legs straight and then with their knees relaxed, basically allowing you to pull them into a standing position (ask them which is easier)
• Rope on the tower - pulls you up...same reason that barefooter's now learn in water starts with the rope attached to what amounts to a tuna tower
• Start on the side and in a turn - keeps the wake behind the rider so they don't have to drop in...this may not always be possible on narrow waterways, but if you have the room, it works
• Slow speeds - start 'em at 9 Mph...yeah the wake has a lot of wash, but it's also got a ton of energy to push them forward and it's more perpendicular to the boat's direction...they can learn to carve later

[Guest]

Thanks Dogbert, as usual you have the insight! Assuming we do not get rained out by Hurricane Ike this weekend I will give it a shot with the newbies.

[dogbert]

Thanks Dogbert, as usual you have the insight! Assuming we do not get rained out by Hurricane Ike this weekend I will give it a shot with the newbies.

Where are you going to be? I'm asking because my boat's in the shop due to a rather unpleasant close encounter with a submerged rock pile on Lake Buchanan. I expect to get it back later in the week and may keep it in Austin for the weekend.

[chpthril]

- Rope Length - how close to the boat do you have your newbies? I usually am just a couple of feet behind the platform and off to the side I surf on, but I know how to get up. For me it is easier to get up in front of the wake. I see in some pics some newbies are pretty far back, does that help?

I have my rope no longer then the pocket, no need to have them trying to surf where there is no wave.

- Tower or ski pylon - I was using the ski pylon, mostly to get the rope away from the passengers in the boat, but I wonder if for a newbie is would be easier from the tower, a better angle to get up?

Tower all the way. It also helps to have someone with boarding/surfing experience to work the rope for you getting it to the rider and off of the passengers.

- Speed - I am going to try going a little slower with the newbies, I read a few threads that suggested that until they get the feel of getting up. Any recommendations on how fast or slow to accelerate?

Kinda like a beginner boarder, roll into the throttle a little easier then an experienced rider.

2 things I like to instruct beginners: hold your arms straight out and up off the water (higher then your head, but not straight up over it). Next, let the boat pull you up, do not pull the rope to you. When the newbies try to pull on the handle, they tend to pull it towards their waist, which causes their hips to lift up causing the head to go back and the board to lay flat and sink.

As a driver, I do my best to keep the rider out of the prop wash and off the top of the wake. To do this, I make a large turn to the surf side while rolling into the throttle. When the are on the board and plained out, I straighten up and the slid right into the wake. From there, I just let them ride along and get comfortable with balancing on the board, then work on foot placement and stance in order to find the sweet spot and get a slack rope.

[dogbert]

2 things I like to instruct beginners: hold your arms straight out and up off the water (higher then your head, but not straight up over it). Next, let the boat pull you up, do not pull the rope to you. When the newbies try to pull on the handle, they tend to pull it towards their waist, which causes their hips to lift up causing the head to go back and the board to lay flat and sink.

Good stuff!

[Guest]

Dogbert - I was planning on going to Lake Austin Saturday to wakeboard from about 10:30 - 1:30 up by Quinlan and then heading back down to the 360 bridge to pick up the crew and try some surfing down there the rest of the afternoon. Not looking good weather wise though, I bet we are rained in this weekend. Should be able to make a call by Friday, my guess is Ike will be close enough at the point to know if we are going to get it.

chpthril - More good stuff, thanks.

[NICKYPOO]

Here's how I get them going;

Heels on the back edge of the board. When you are ready to go, say,"In gear". I'll but the boat in gear. When the boat starts to pull you, push down on your heels and the board will flip up and stick to your feet. Once the board is up, put your knees in your elbows. You will be able to drag behind the boat all day long like that. Once you feel comphy, say'"HIT IT!" I'll hit it and you do a leg press, just like in the gym, and look at where there rope is atached to the tower. DO NOT LOOK AT YOUR FEET.

It's been my experience to keep it simple. Go over the whole routine twice on the boat before they get in. Once in the water, their little brains are turning a mile a minute so you got to keep it simple. "Heels on the edge, in gear, knees in your elbows, hit it, leg press."

[dogbert]

Dogbert - I was planning on going to Lake Austin Saturday to wakeboard from about 10:30 - 1:30 up by Quinlan and then heading back down to the 360 bridge to pick up the crew and try some surfing down there the rest of the afternoon. Not looking good weather wise though, I bet we are rained in this weekend. Should be able to make a call by Friday, my guess is Ike will be close enough at the point to know if we are going to get it.

chpthril - More good stuff, thanks.

Yeah, weather doesn't seem so good, maybe early in the morning. Maybe we'll see you out there. If we go, we'll be going early. Look for my red and white 21v if you go. We'll be wakeboarding for sure.

[chpthril]

Here's how I get them going;

Heels on the back edge of the board. When you are ready to go, say,"In gear". I'll but the boat in gear. When the boat starts to pull you, push down on your heels and the board will flip up and stick to your feet. Once the board is up, put your knees in your elbows. You will be able to drag behind the boat all day long like that. Once you feel comphy, say'"HIT IT!" I'll hit it and you do a leg press, just like in the gym, and look at where there rope is atached to the tower. DO NOT LOOK AT YOUR FEET.

It's been my experience to keep it simple. Go over the whole routine twice on the boat before they get in. Once in the water, their little brains are turning a mile a minute so you got to keep it simple. "Heels on the edge, in gear, knees in your elbows, hit it, leg press."

Great routine

[dogbert]

Dogbert - I was planning on going to Lake Austin Saturday to wakeboard from about 10:30 - 1:30 up by Quinlan and then heading back down to the 360 bridge to pick up the crew and try some surfing down there the rest of the afternoon. Not looking good weather wise though, I bet we are rained in this weekend. Should be able to make a call by Friday, my guess is Ike will be close enough at the point to know if we are going to get it.

chpthril - More good stuff, thanks.

We didn't actually make it out until 5:30 or so. Ike's been a bit of a distraction for me because our corporate headquarters are in Houston. The office is ok, but without power so we're having to deal with contingencies. I hope to get out a little earlier today.

Water was glass on Lake Austin yesterday evening.

[Guest]

We didn't actually make it out until 5:30 or so. Ike's been a bit of a distraction for me because our corporate headquarters are in Houston. The office is ok, but without power so we're having to deal with contingencies. I hope to get out a little earlier today.

Water was glass on Lake Austin yesterday evening.

Nice, the wind did lay down in the late afternoon. We decided to wait until today (sunday) to go out, about to head out in 30 minutes. So much for the 90% chance of rain in austin yesterday! I think the newbies are coming, so I will use all of your tips and let you know how it goes.

[Guest]

Using your tips I got one newbie up on the first try yesterday! He rode with the rope for about 5 minutes and totally got the feel for it. I bet he will be dropping the rope in no time! This particular guy is really fit, so that helped, but putting the rope on the tower, starting slower and the flip up board method was the key. And he has only gotten up on a wakeboard once, years ago. We will try with the other two sometime soon.

Oh yeah, I also drank my first beer while surfing without the rope, that was pretty cool too. I know, I know, we forgot the camera. We are going to try to get a pic next time.