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