10 Steps to Consider when Learning Wakeboarding

Is Wakeboarding Difficult to Learn? Absolutely Not! 

Learn How To Wakeboard Right Now!

Learning to wakeboard is simple and enjoyable as long as the student has a positive attitude and is physically active and healthy. Any skateboarding or snowboarding experience is advantageous, but not required.

Having a good boat, good equipment, flat water, and a good driver will also make the learning process much faster and more enjoyable. It's also a sport where you can take your time driving the boat and learning new things. A tower, as well as a shorter rope, will make it easier to get up on the boat.

Outboard boats and cable parks should be avoided for beginners, as the student will spend more time swimming to shore than riding. Having a dedicated boat driver saves time and results in a steeper learning curve.

10 steps to consider when learning wakeboarding

How to Wakeboard in 10 Easy Steps

Step 1: Determine Whether You Are Regular or Goofy-Footed

Before you start, figure out which foot you prefer to put forward on the wakeboard. This will help your tutor set up the board for you. If you're not sure, they'll set it up normally and see which way you naturally turn.

Step 2: Practice Getting Up on the Swim Platform

Get into the water with the wakeboard on and the wakeboard handle in your hands while the boat engine is turned off. Assume the proper position with arms straight and knees bent. Your tutor can then lift you up onto the swim platform in the same way the boat will, but in a less scary way. Repeat this a few times to build muscle memory.

Step 3: Getting Out of the Water and Learning to Wakeboard

It's now time to start the boat and get you out of the water. The boat driver will slowly pull you while keeping your arms straight and knees bent in a deep squat. Try to get up in a squat position first and then fully stand up. Avoid standing up too quickly and pointing the board at the boat. The end of the board you point towards the boat will be your natural position.

Step 4: Ride Between the Wakes

Now that you're up and riding, start moving between the wakes to improve your balance and control. Practice controlling your direction of travel and making sharp turns by edging the board. Try riding with your arms outstretched and with them brought in for different feels.

Step 5: Getting Over the Wakes

The boat driver will lengthen the rope and reduce the size of the wake, making it easier for you to cross it. The easiest way to cross is from the heel side, so try that first before crossing from the toe side.

Step 6: Small Jumps From the Wake

Using the skills learned while crossing the wakes, try to hop off the wake as you cross it. This small amount of air is a big motivator and will help you with future tricks. Practice this on both the heel and toe side wakes.

Step 7: Surface Frontside 180s

Try your first surface 180-degree turn while still holding the handle and keeping the board firmly on the water's surface. Edge hard out beyond the wakes, slide the board half a turn, then switch back.

Step 8: Riding Switch

Now it's time to learn how to ride in the opposite direction. Perform a surface 180 and then remain in that switch position without switching back. Try this on both sides of the wake.

Step 9: Ollie the Board

When you're outside the wake in flat water, you can make the board jump out of the water by shifting your weight to the front foot, jamming the back foot down, and lifting the board out of the water. Try this in both directions.

Step 10: Place the Handle Behind Your Back

Put the wakeboard handle behind your back to develop confidence in your feel for the board and what you can see. Practice riding one-handed, then drop the handle behind your back and grab it with the other handle while continuing to ride.

Conclusion 

Mastering these fundamental wakeboarding skills will allow you to progress to more advanced tricks, such as wake to wake jumps, ollie 180s, and jumps out of and into the wake.