Ask the Experts | It's All In Your Head

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[FONT=Trebuchet MS, Lucida Grande, Arial, sans-serif]In riding, as in life, our attitude influences the outcome. Having a positive attitude means that you ride with confidence and hopefully live that way every day.[/FONT]

[FONT=Trebuchet MS, Lucida Grande, Arial, sans-serif]Developing this mindset is a skill, just like learning how to jump the wakes or do an invert. This is true whether you are learning to get up on a board, shredding with your friends on your home lake, or competing in the world championship.[/FONT]

[FONT=Trebuchet MS, Lucida Grande, Arial, sans-serif]Here are some keys I rely on to keep a winning attitude. I guarantee that mastering these suggestions will really help your development as a rider.[/FONT]

[FONT=Trebuchet MS, Lucida Grande, Arial, sans-serif]Go Back to the Basics[/FONT]

[FONT=Trebuchet MS, Lucida Grande, Arial, sans-serif]This is always good advice, but particularly if you are having a bad day and having difficulty with that positive mindset. True confidence means being willing to take a step "backward", going back to the basics. Is your balance optimal? Is your technique correct? If your goal is to do a spin or invert, make sure you are balanced on the board first, then jump the wakes until you can easily clear the entire wake.[/FONT]

[FONT=Trebuchet MS, Lucida Grande, Arial, sans-serif]These basics give you the foundation to more easily accomplish the trick and will put you back into a positive frame of mind. Realize that having a goal and working on the technique of a trick are two different things.[/FONT]

[FONT=Trebuchet MS, Lucida Grande, Arial, sans-serif]Believe that you are making progress every time you hit the water. Think of training as a journey. Some days will be satisfying and very productive, while others might be more of a challenge. It's called being human. It's hard to be successful all the time-and that's okay. Even if you are not having a great day, always focus on the positive things you did accomplish and continue to build on that.[/FONT]

[FONT=Trebuchet MS, Lucida Grande, Arial, sans-serif]Be Patient[/FONT]

[FONT=Trebuchet MS, Lucida Grande, Arial, sans-serif]Impatience can be a big stumbling block when learning. Being impatient doesn't help the learning process. Put less emphasis on the final goal-making the trick. Instead, break up the trick into small pieces and work on each element until you master it.[/FONT]
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[FONT=Trebuchet MS, Lucida Grande, Arial, sans-serif]Enjoy the process. It seems like everyone wants to rush through the learning stage and just make the trick. This actually makes the learning process longer. It takes time to learn the basics and mechanics of each trick well, so that you are consistent with it. And if you learned all the tricks on your first attempt, you probably wouldn't feel challenged by the sport. Right?[/FONT]

[FONT=Trebuchet MS, Lucida Grande, Arial, sans-serif]Harness the Power of Visualization[/FONT]

[FONT=Trebuchet MS, Lucida Grande, Arial, sans-serif]Learning to visualize will really help you in developing a positive mindset because you will see yourself being successful. Lots of top athletes, including Olympians, implement this technique in their training.[/FONT]

[FONT=Trebuchet MS, Lucida Grande, Arial, sans-serif]When learning a trick, watch others who have mastered the trick, and see yourself successfully performing each component necessary to complete the entire trick. If you have a sharply focused picture in your mind, success will follow on the water. This will greatly increase your confidence.[/FONT]

[FONT=Trebuchet MS, Lucida Grande, Arial, sans-serif]Having your family and friends with you when learning is often a great idea. My family is into barefooting, wake surfing and wakeboarding, and having them with me has been a big help in developing a positive attitude as a rider and competitive athlete. We learn by watching each other, encourage each other, and feed off each other's positive energy.[/FONT]

[FONT=Trebuchet MS, Lucida Grande, Arial, sans-serif]Banish Self Doubt[/FONT]

[FONT=Trebuchet MS, Lucida Grande, Arial, sans-serif]For new riders, shyness and doubt is often a problem, as they perceive other riders as better than they are. No one wants to be seen falling or not accomplishing a trick. But stop looking inward. Let's face it, the other riders are thinking about their next run, not yours.[/FONT]

[FONT=Trebuchet MS, Lucida Grande, Arial, sans-serif]Seriously, no one is judging you. Everyone goes through the same process of trying, falling, and then making it. Not being successful on some efforts is just part of the process of success.[/FONT]

[FONT=Trebuchet MS, Lucida Grande, Arial, sans-serif]Whether you are a fun rider or a serious competitor, there's plenty of opportunity to doubt yourself doing a trick or riding in a contest. But if you've implemented a positive mindset, you are ready. Knowing this will give you the confidence needed to do tricks and win championships. Many say they have confidence, but riding with confidence is a skill that needs continuous honing.[/FONT]

[FONT=Trebuchet MS, Lucida Grande, Arial, sans-serif]Self doubt can especially creep in when learning new tricks, or in new situations like competitions. Often riders preparing to execute a trick like a spin or invert start the trick confidently, but as they approach the top of the wake that confidence is lost.[/FONT]

[FONT=Trebuchet MS, Lucida Grande, Arial, sans-serif]The goal is to stay confident, whatever your level, especially at the point you initiate the trick. Confidence builds on success. As you successfully develop your skills for a wake jump, spin or invert, you will sharpen your focus, improve your discipline and continue to progress.[/FONT]
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[FONT=Trebuchet MS, Lucida Grande, Arial, sans-serif]Ride with Confidence[/FONT]

[FONT=Trebuchet MS, Lucida Grande, Arial, sans-serif]You have implemented the other keys (going back to basics, being patient, using visualization and banishing self doubt). Now you are able to approach each set or competition with self assurance. You have goals and aspirations, but more importantly you understand the individual steps you need to take to get there. You actually learn more easily with a positive frame of mind, as you are more open to the process.[/FONT]

[FONT=Trebuchet MS, Lucida Grande, Arial, sans-serif]Having complete confidence is needed for any trick, but it's especially critical for me when I do difficult big air tricks like an S Bend in the world championship. Just losing confidence for an instant on a trick can be enough to end the run.[/FONT]

[FONT=Trebuchet MS, Lucida Grande, Arial, sans-serif]Just as importantly, if a trick or a contest doesn't go your way, and you feel yourself slipping back into self doubt, take a breath and refocus on being positive and confident. With this kind of winning attitude, you'll learn the most, feel the best, and reach the ultimate goal-being the best rider YOU can be.[/FONT]
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[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.comfor the latest news. Raimi also offers personalized coaching in Orlando, Florida. E-mail raimi@stevemerritt.com to schedule a lesson.[/FONT]