Whether you are just starting out in the world of wakeboarding or have been doing it for years, you will eventually want to learn how to get up on a wakeboard.
Getting up on the wakeboard is the most fun part of the sport, but it is not a skill that will typically happen on its own. It is something that you will need to practice in order to perfect.
We have broken down how to get up on a wakeboard for you. It is important to remember, however, that you are expected to fall for many times before you figure out the balance of it. Do not give up if it seems too hard right away. This is how you can do it.
Step One: Prepare
Before you do anything else, you need to prepare. This means putting the best impact or life vest on first.
You need to secure your vest as well to keep it on you and help keep you float in the water. If it is too loose, it could slip over your head and it will not be able to do its job.
Step Two: Your Feet
The first step to getting up on a wakeboard is having your feet set properly. The bindings of the wakeboard should have been adjusted to fit around your feet snugly, but comfortable.
If they are loose, you won’t get up at all, but if they are tight, you will be focusing on them and not the task at hand.
Step Three: The Speed
The second step in getting up on a wakeboard is setting the speed. This of course is up to the driver and not the rider, but there needs to be clear communication between the two of them.
The driver has to know how to accelerate the right way to help you get up. The goal speed is between 18 and 20 miles per hour. You also should establish a signal system with the driver so that the driver can communicate with you and vice versa. This can cut down on accidents and injuries if you both know what the other is doing.
Step Four: The Board
Once you are in the water with your board, you will need to set your board up for the ride. It is best if the rider floats with the underside of the board facing the transom of the boat. Have the board at a 90-degree angle as well to the water’s surface and hold it in place.
You will also want to have your knees and arms bent and hold onto the tow rope. You need to maintain a solid grip on the tow rope handle to make sure that it does not fly right out of your hands as you begin moving in the water.
Step Five: Choose Your Foot
Before you even get into the water, you will need to know what foot is the most comfortable having forward, because when the boat does start to pull you, you will want to put the correct foot for yourself in front to make the riding as easy as possible when you do get up and standing.
Step Six: Stay Crouched
The boat’s job is to pull you up, so don’t pull against the boat to stand up. Instead, as the boat starts to slowly accelerate, let the boat pull you up onto your feet. You need to stay down in your crouched position the whole time with your arms straight and make no move until the boat has pulled you upright.
Remember: it is the boats job to pull you upright, not yours. You will want to have the handle on your leading hip to help you get into the proper riding stance. This means that your shoulders and your toes face the shore, but your head is focused on the boat.
Step Seven: Shifting Weight
Once the boat starts to really pull you, you will want to get more of a feeling for your board. You can do this by shifting your weight side to side, controlling how the board will move under your feet.
The goal is to get a feel for the board so that you can move smoother in the water and really begin to learn and advance your skills.
Ultimately, wakeboarding is so incredibly fun that once you get up a few times on the board, you will really get to see what the sport is all about.
The only think to really remember is that you are going to fall in the water a lot. It is just necessary to the learning process, so do not try to skip over it. Your balance and skills will approve as you try again, making you a true wakeboard rider.