Frequently Asked Questions & Answers on Wakeboarding

Q. I weigh xx pounds/kilograms and my skill level is xxx. What kind of board do you recommend?
A. WakeWorld had developed a sophisticated database, called the Board Wizard, to help you find the right board for you. Go to http://www.wakeworld.com/wizard, give the wizard your stats and he will return a list of boards that will work for you. Remember to always test ride a board before you make your purchase if possible. 75% of board selection comes down to personal preference.

Q. Can you send me some free stickers, T-shirts, posters, hats, wakeboards, cars, etc.?

A. As much as we would enjoy sending freebies to everyone who asks, we just don't have the resources to do so. If you'd like to support WakeWorld by purchasing WakeWorld gear, it is available at http://www.wakeworld.com/products/.

Q. I was just wondering how to get some cool pictures, posters, stickers, and so on about wakeboarding.

A. Our best suggestion would be to ask for this kind of stuff directly from each manufacturer. You should use WakeWorld's Cool Links page to get the email addresses for all the companies making wakeboard stuff. Send them a message saying something like this:

"I saw your products on WakeWorld's Online Equipment Guide and think they rock! If you would please send me some stickers, posters or even a catalog I would be totally stoked!!"

Of course, don't forget to include your mailing address. You can also check out your local board shop or boat dealer and see what kind of goodies they have! Good Luck!

Q. I have some bindings that are very hard to get in to. While I think it's good for them to be tight to stay on during a hard fall, how can make them easier to get on without having to buy a larger size.

A. First, definately use slime or something else that is water soluable and bio-degradable. Don't use anything with oil that may break down the rubber or not rinse out once you have your feet in. The bindings are designed to be snug. What you do is first dunk the board in the water to get the bindings wet, then squirt a little slime onto the rubber. You can work the soap around in the binding with your hand a bit if you want. It should make your feet slide in pretty easily.

Once your feet are in and you're in the water, shake your feet around a bit to dispel the excess slime. You don't want to slide out as easily as you got in. All bindings will loosen up after some use. They are tightest when they are new.

You know that the bindings are a little too tight if, after wearing them for a while, your feet become numb. If that's the case, you should try loosening up the overlays or have you local shop do it. If they are still too tight, take them back and exchange them for a larger size. One of the great things about most bindings is that they come in a large variety of sizes.

Generally speaking, you don't want your feet coming out except in a pretty hard fall. Similar to snowboard bindings (which don't release at all), it's better to be in than out. You especially don't want one foot coming out and the other staying in. That can lead to injuries. If this is happening, it usually means you're putting more weight on one foot than the other. The foot that came out had less weight on it, so try to level your stance a bit.

Q. What's the difference between a roll and a flip?

A. A roll is when the board goes end over end (toeside over heelside or heelside over toeside), whereas a flip is when the board goes tip over tail. The definition of a roll and a flip, in wakeboarding, is based on the motion of the board, not the rider. So what seems like a flip to a gymnast (the rider does a somersault-like move) is a roll to a wakeboarder as the board goes end-over-end (i.e. a backroll). And what seems like a cartwheel to a gymnast, is a flip to a wakeboarder as the board goes tip-over-tail (i.e. front flip).

Q. How do I get bigger air off the wake?

A. An important element to getting more air has a lot to do with edging all the way through the wake. A common problem is that as you approach the crest of the wake, most people ease up the pull and flatten out the board- that is the worst thing you could do and here's why. By easing up on the pull, you take away most of the tension the rope has built up and significantly reduces the force generated that snaps you into the air. This is what is referred to as "loading the line"- building tension on the rope with the pull, your body, the board, everything! Then once that tensions releases, that force springs you higher and further to more of what you are looking for - BIG AIR! Next time you go out and try for bigger air, remember that a rider's maximum speed should be at the TOP of the wake- not as you first make the cut or anytime in-between. The best approach is to start with a gradual turn into your carve, dig that edge in as you build up speed toward the wake, accelerate all the way through and hold on until you get lift-off. Don't forget to spring off the top of the wake by extending your knees- this additional downward push on the board right before you leave the wake creates more lift and the kind of "pop" that generates better air. Might take some getting used to, but once you put all these together and work on the timing- you will be amazed!

Q. I keep seeing people say "Double-up " and I am not quite sure what that is... Can someone describe it?

A. The double up is when the boat driver makes a wide turn and circles back around into the wake at a 90 degree angle. When the old wake meets the new wake, the wake becomes twice as large, thus the name double up. The rider should try to time the spot when the wakes meet and jump off that spot. It is a great way to get a lot of air and try new tricks.

Q. What's a good boat speed for Wakeboarding??

A. Generally speaking, beginners start out at around 19-20 mph. That's a good speed to become familiar with the wakeboard while learning to control and maneuver it. This speed is also slow enough that you don't experience much drag, yet fast enough for you to practice cutting over the wake and moving into surface 180's and surface 360's.

As you improve and feel more confident, you can speed up to anywhere between 20-24 mph. Keep in mind, a lot of this is dictated by your individual size, the boat's wake, rope length, and, of course, your comfort level.

Q. How should I adjust my bindings?

A. Beginners will place the bindings closer to the rear of the board in order to sink the tail fin deeper in the water for better control. As you improve with stability, balance and control, you can move the bindings closer to the center/front of the board making it easier for surface tricks, fakie, and even in landing bigger wake jumps. It really depends on the board and how it responds to you. As for the angle of the plate on the board- it should at least be somewhere comfortable, not pigeon-toed or duck-feet but what feels good for you.

Q. So many boards look the same, I bet they all ride alike.

A. That is definitely not true! Just because two boards look the same does not mean they all perform the same. You can generalize by saying bigger/fatter boards ride one way and smaller/thinner board ride another but within those two generic categories, there are a vast number of differences. For example, a few things to look for in a board might be what kind of pop does it get, does the board hold a nice hard/tight edge, does it land smoothly, is it easy to move around in the air for 180's or 360's, how does it feel riding fakie, what about surface tricks. These are just some things to think about while riding new boards.

Keep in mind, lots of design work and engineering goes into these boards by companies trying to figure out that unique and "perfect" combination for the many different styles and riders out there. With all the new boards available these days, finding one that's's right for you is definitely becoming easier. The hard part is narrowing the possibilities down to about three and taking them for a demo ride. We'd strongly recommend reading WakeWorld's Wakeboard Guide to find out more about each board.

Q. Is there a better board for rougher water?

A. Well, no wakeboard is really "easy" to ride when it's rough - the bigger ones may handle the waves better but we all prefer to do it when it's smoothest and have the most fun when we're not fighting off huge waves. If your in a place where mirror smooth water is rare, you can always try slower boat speeds.

Q. Do you recommend a good instructional video?

A. There are a number of ways to become a better rider and instructional videos are definitely one of the easier options. Other options you have would be to attend a wakeboard clinic or ski school or even compete in local wakeboard tournaments. But instructional videos are a good way to work up to these other methods and can be done at your own pace and in the privacy of your own home. The greatest advantage is that you can watch the videos over and over until the tape wears out! Every time you watch them you will see new things and gain new concepts about riding that aren't real obvious. These videos also cut down on how long it takes to learn certain tips and techniques that make advancing to the next level much more fun. An excellent online source for wakeboarding instructional videos is Wakeside.

источник: wakeworld