toneeees
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- Mar 15, 2011
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[FONT=Trebuchet MS, Lucida Grande, Arial, sans-serif]We all get stuck in ruts. We go to the same stores, wear the same colors, eat the same foods, listen to the same music, do the same workouts. The same is true with wakeboarding. Riders tend to do the same tricks, from the same side of the wake, same stance, same tow boat specifics and in the same conditions. But to be a better rider, you want to change it up and ditch the routine.[/FONT]
[FONT=Trebuchet MS, Lucida Grande, Arial, sans-serif]It is true that when you are first learning a trick you will want to stay in your comfort zone. When you do start making changes, be wary of changing multiple variables at one time. For example, if you shorten your line, up your boat speed and ride behind a different tow boat, you won?t be able to evaluate the effect of each individual change. But with these two cautions in mind, let?s change it up and start testing the variables and pushing the limit of your skills. This will expand your horizons, increase your confidence, and make you a better rider. You can choose to make changes to your environment, and to the technical elements of your practice sets.[/FONT]
[FONT=Trebuchet MS, Lucida Grande, Arial, sans-serif]By environment, I mean the weather you ride in, the lake you practice on, or your driver and boat crew, for example. Yes, it's easier to ride on calm days, but if you only ride in calm conditions your experience as a rider will be limited. Particularly if you plan to ride in contests, the more experience you have riding in heat, rain, wind and so on will give you confidence if you encounter these conditions in a tournament. I have competed in the desert heat of the Middle East and in rainy, windy conditions in Korea at the recent world championships. So look at less than perfect conditions as an opportunity to get even stronger, with a particular trick or with your riding style.[/FONT]
[FONT=Trebuchet MS, Lucida Grande, Arial, sans-serif]Remember in these conditions to always start with the basics, like heel and toe side wake jumps.[/FONT]
[FONT=Trebuchet MS, Lucida Grande, Arial, sans-serif]This is a great warm-up, and will prepare you for more advanced tricks in challenging conditions. Many times, I'm going big to do an S bend and a burst of wind catches me. But my practice allows me to react quickly and adjust to the wind as I'm going inverted and passing the handle.[/FONT]
[FONT=Trebuchet MS, Lucida Grande, Arial, sans-serif]It may sound trivial, but having different friends and family ride in the boat to watch you ride will have a positive impact on your confidence. Adapting to different drivers will also broaden your horizon as a rider. Anything that breaks the routine helps bring a fresh perspective to your riding, and will allow you to reap more benefit from your time on the water. On the other hand, repeating the same old same old can stall your progress.[/FONT]
[FONT=Trebuchet MS, Lucida Grande, Arial, sans-serif]Now think about changing up the technical aspects of your riding things like boat speed, line length, choice of handle, and amount of ballast.[/FONT]
[FONT=Trebuchet MS, Lucida Grande, Arial, sans-serif]Whatever your usual boat speed, test slower and faster speeds. You can do basic tricks like heel side and toe side wake jumps to see whether you like the new speed. Most tow boats today feature speed control, so you can test in increments of 1/10 of a mile to hone in on a perfect speed for you. This will vary depending on your skill level and your riding style. I used to ride at 25 mph, but now l ride slower at 23 mph. I need the slower speed to make a bigger wake to get more air time for the big inverts that I do in contests, like 911 and Hoochie Glade, and big grabbed heel threes into the flats. But depending on your weight, board, and preferred riding style, your ideal boat speed will most likely be different than mine. The point is to experiment. Trying tricks at different speeds can also help with your understanding of a trick.[/FONT]
[FONT=Trebuchet MS, Lucida Grande, Arial, sans-serif]Try testing line lengths. I ride on a 75' line and handle, but the wake size and shape will be different at various line lengths and at different boat speeds. One determining factor in finding your ideal length and speed is whether you can clear the wake easily. Line length will also affect your momentum; a longer line will give you more momentum when edging to the wake.[/FONT]
[FONT=Trebuchet MS, Lucida Grande, Arial, sans-serif]You should experiment to see what suits you best at your level of riding. Also test handles. I?m constantly trying handles to determine which design fits my hands and makes for smooth handle passing during big air spins and inverts with spins.[/FONT]
[FONT=Trebuchet MS, Lucida Grande, Arial, sans-serif]Next change up the ballast. I train behind a Nautique G23 but I'm constantly moving and adjusting ballast location and amount to affect wake shape and size. I do this to learn new tricks or to get ready for a contest by emulating the wake size and shape of various tow boats. If you are new to riding, you will want less ballast. When you get comfortable with wake jumps, you could start adding ballast to give you a bigger wake for jumps, spins and inverts. Having the boat ballasted correctly will make learning new tricks much easier.[/FONT]
[FONT=Trebuchet MS, Lucida Grande, Arial, sans-serif]I hope I've convinced you that changing it up and expanding your boundaries will take your riding to a higher level. The goal is to get so used to changing up your conditions that the variety feels normal for you. When that happens, you will no doubt be a more positive, confident and proficient rider. And your "comfort zone" will be enormous. It probably won?t even matter if you eat oatmeal every morning![/FONT]
[FONT=Trebuchet MS, Lucida Grande, Arial, sans-serif]Raimi Merritt wins her 9th World Cup with her recent win in Mandurah, Australia. Raimi is also IWWF Open Women Wakeboard World Champion, is sponsored by MonaVie, Nautique, Hyperlite, Rollei Actioncam America, Breathe Boardwear. OrigAudio, Wakami, Peripheral LS and Fly High. Visitwww.raimimerritt.com for the latest news. Raimi also offers personalized coaching in Orlando, Florida. E-mail raimi@stevemerritt.com to schedule a lesson.[/FONT]
[FONT=Trebuchet MS, Lucida Grande, Arial, sans-serif]It is true that when you are first learning a trick you will want to stay in your comfort zone. When you do start making changes, be wary of changing multiple variables at one time. For example, if you shorten your line, up your boat speed and ride behind a different tow boat, you won?t be able to evaluate the effect of each individual change. But with these two cautions in mind, let?s change it up and start testing the variables and pushing the limit of your skills. This will expand your horizons, increase your confidence, and make you a better rider. You can choose to make changes to your environment, and to the technical elements of your practice sets.[/FONT]
[FONT=Trebuchet MS, Lucida Grande, Arial, sans-serif]By environment, I mean the weather you ride in, the lake you practice on, or your driver and boat crew, for example. Yes, it's easier to ride on calm days, but if you only ride in calm conditions your experience as a rider will be limited. Particularly if you plan to ride in contests, the more experience you have riding in heat, rain, wind and so on will give you confidence if you encounter these conditions in a tournament. I have competed in the desert heat of the Middle East and in rainy, windy conditions in Korea at the recent world championships. So look at less than perfect conditions as an opportunity to get even stronger, with a particular trick or with your riding style.[/FONT]
[FONT=Trebuchet MS, Lucida Grande, Arial, sans-serif]Remember in these conditions to always start with the basics, like heel and toe side wake jumps.[/FONT]
[FONT=Trebuchet MS, Lucida Grande, Arial, sans-serif]This is a great warm-up, and will prepare you for more advanced tricks in challenging conditions. Many times, I'm going big to do an S bend and a burst of wind catches me. But my practice allows me to react quickly and adjust to the wind as I'm going inverted and passing the handle.[/FONT]
[FONT=Trebuchet MS, Lucida Grande, Arial, sans-serif]It may sound trivial, but having different friends and family ride in the boat to watch you ride will have a positive impact on your confidence. Adapting to different drivers will also broaden your horizon as a rider. Anything that breaks the routine helps bring a fresh perspective to your riding, and will allow you to reap more benefit from your time on the water. On the other hand, repeating the same old same old can stall your progress.[/FONT]
[FONT=Trebuchet MS, Lucida Grande, Arial, sans-serif]Now think about changing up the technical aspects of your riding things like boat speed, line length, choice of handle, and amount of ballast.[/FONT]
[FONT=Trebuchet MS, Lucida Grande, Arial, sans-serif]Whatever your usual boat speed, test slower and faster speeds. You can do basic tricks like heel side and toe side wake jumps to see whether you like the new speed. Most tow boats today feature speed control, so you can test in increments of 1/10 of a mile to hone in on a perfect speed for you. This will vary depending on your skill level and your riding style. I used to ride at 25 mph, but now l ride slower at 23 mph. I need the slower speed to make a bigger wake to get more air time for the big inverts that I do in contests, like 911 and Hoochie Glade, and big grabbed heel threes into the flats. But depending on your weight, board, and preferred riding style, your ideal boat speed will most likely be different than mine. The point is to experiment. Trying tricks at different speeds can also help with your understanding of a trick.[/FONT]
[FONT=Trebuchet MS, Lucida Grande, Arial, sans-serif]Try testing line lengths. I ride on a 75' line and handle, but the wake size and shape will be different at various line lengths and at different boat speeds. One determining factor in finding your ideal length and speed is whether you can clear the wake easily. Line length will also affect your momentum; a longer line will give you more momentum when edging to the wake.[/FONT]
[FONT=Trebuchet MS, Lucida Grande, Arial, sans-serif]You should experiment to see what suits you best at your level of riding. Also test handles. I?m constantly trying handles to determine which design fits my hands and makes for smooth handle passing during big air spins and inverts with spins.[/FONT]
[FONT=Trebuchet MS, Lucida Grande, Arial, sans-serif]Next change up the ballast. I train behind a Nautique G23 but I'm constantly moving and adjusting ballast location and amount to affect wake shape and size. I do this to learn new tricks or to get ready for a contest by emulating the wake size and shape of various tow boats. If you are new to riding, you will want less ballast. When you get comfortable with wake jumps, you could start adding ballast to give you a bigger wake for jumps, spins and inverts. Having the boat ballasted correctly will make learning new tricks much easier.[/FONT]
[FONT=Trebuchet MS, Lucida Grande, Arial, sans-serif]I hope I've convinced you that changing it up and expanding your boundaries will take your riding to a higher level. The goal is to get so used to changing up your conditions that the variety feels normal for you. When that happens, you will no doubt be a more positive, confident and proficient rider. And your "comfort zone" will be enormous. It probably won?t even matter if you eat oatmeal every morning![/FONT]
[FONT=Trebuchet MS, Lucida Grande, Arial, sans-serif]Raimi Merritt wins her 9th World Cup with her recent win in Mandurah, Australia. Raimi is also IWWF Open Women Wakeboard World Champion, is sponsored by MonaVie, Nautique, Hyperlite, Rollei Actioncam America, Breathe Boardwear. OrigAudio, Wakami, Peripheral LS and Fly High. Visitwww.raimimerritt.com for the latest news. Raimi also offers personalized coaching in Orlando, Florida. E-mail raimi@stevemerritt.com to schedule a lesson.[/FONT]
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