| You might have probably heard of wakeboarding | | | | angle of 9-27 degrees (2-3 sets of holes) to get |
| already. And you have the first impression that this is | | | | started. For your safety, before you get started, |
| a "no fear" game - for daredevils; that sounds | | | | double-check the security of your fins and bindings. |
| difficult. Perhaps you're right, but how you approach | | | | Do this again every time you hit the water. You |
| it is all up to you. Getting started is easy if you follow | | | | should even periodically check them during your ride |
| these simple steps. | | | | after a fall. |
| Firstly - have the right equipment; the latest pro | | | | Learn first the Deep Water Start by floating on your |
| board is not always the best to learn with. Give | | | | back with a buoyancy vest. The board should be |
| yourself a chance and get a board that is forgiving | | | | perpendicular to the rope with your arms either side |
| and helps you to progress. Choose a board which is | | | | of your front knee. Signal the driver to put the boat |
| light and easy to manage. A larger board with one or | | | | just in gear. As you are pulled slowly forward, the |
| more large rear fins helps to give the board direction, | | | | pressure against the board will allow you to get into |
| which is important when learning. | | | | the proper starting position with most of the board |
| Getting closer to the boat is helpful for learning to | | | | below the surface of the water. Let the pressure on |
| wakeboard. Thus a shorter rope is highly | | | | the board push your knees into your chest, then |
| recommended - about 15 meters (50'). Another | | | | push your front foot forward toward the boat. Signal |
| essential bit of gear is a buoyancy vest. It is not only | | | | the driver to hit it and remain in a crouched position. |
| basic safety equipment but it will also save you a lot | | | | As the boat begins to go, keep your arms slightly |
| of energy as you hit the water regularly. The driver | | | | bent near your lower stomach. Shift your weight |
| should remember that you need a lot less speed to | | | | toward the front foot while keeping the nose above |
| get going and to stay planeing than water skiing - | | | | the water. As the water begins to give you support, |
| 35-40 kph max. A wakeboard offers more resistance | | | | slowly rise to the standing position by extending your |
| when starting, so start slowly! | | | | legs until your knees are slightly bent. |
| If you have all the necessary wakeboarding | | | | Once you are up, get comfortable on your board |
| equipments ready, the next thing to do is to learn | | | | with slightly more weight on your rear foot. Let your |
| the stance - how and where to stand on your board. | | | | hips and shoulders turn away from the boat. Riders |
| Your first stage is to determine whether you are a | | | | with a skiing background have a tendency to try to |
| regular lead (left-foot-forward) or goofy lead | | | | face the boat, this will often lead to a face plant as |
| (right-foot-forward). For those who have | | | | they catch or drop their front edge. Practice getting |
| skateboarded or snowboarded before, this is easy. If | | | | comfortable in the sideways position and relax. The |
| this is your first board sport, don't panic. Stand up, | | | | key to the deepwater start is letting the boat do the |
| facing frward, feet together and have someone push | | | | work. Stay down low and stand up slow! |
| you from behind. Whichever foot goes forward first | | | | Wake boarding has the inherent dangers of all water |
| is your lead foot. | | | | sports, plus the dangers of motor powerboats, with |
| Now that you know which foot you'll place forward, | | | | screw propellers. So always observe precautionary |
| it's time to set up your bindings. Riders just getting | | | | measures and you will not get into trouble. |
| started should try placing the bindings at about | | | | Niall Pesci has been wakeboarding for 2 years and |
| shoulder-width apart with the rear foot slightly | | | | enjoys combining foreign travel and wakeboarding. |
| farther back (closer to the rear fin) to aid with | | | | Visit Wakeboarding Supplies for news, views and |
| directional stability. | | | | information about wakeboarding. |
| The angle of your bindings is important. Start with | | | | This article may be reprinted in full so long as the |
| the rear foot straight across the board (O degrees) | | | | resource box and the live links are included intact. All |
| or slightly forward to 9 degrees (one set of holes in | | | | rights reserved. Copyright Wakeboarding-Supplies. |
| the base plate). Your front foot should be at an | | | | |