toneeees
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[FONT=Trebuchet MS, Lucida Grande, Arial, sans-serif]The days are getting shorter, and the air and water temperatures are beginning to fall, but that doesn't mean you have to give up your wakeboarding just yet. Pull out that wetsuit (or get a new one), work on both basic techniques and new tricks, and test some new equipment. This will maximize your end-of-season riding and set you up for a productive season next spring.[/FONT]
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[FONT=Trebuchet MS, Lucida Grande, Arial, sans-serif]Stay Warm
Your sets will be far more productive and fun if you can stay warm. A properly fitted wetsuit can give you added comfort during these cooler days.[/FONT]
[FONT=Trebuchet MS, Lucida Grande, Arial, sans-serif]Wearing any wetsuit is a tradeoff. You gain warmth but sacrifice mobility. You won't feel as flexible as when riding in your flotation vest and board shorts, but you'll be able to ride longer without shivering. Keeping muscles warm also reduces the risk of injury and allows you to concentrate on your riding.[/FONT]
[FONT=Trebuchet MS, Lucida Grande, Arial, sans-serif]Obviously, a full wetsuit with long legs and arms will keep you the warmest, but it will restrict your movements the most, while a shorty will be a compromise between warmth and flexibility.[/FONT]
[FONT=Trebuchet MS, Lucida Grande, Arial, sans-serif]The fit of the wetsuit is critical to warmth. A new suit should be a bit tight, because they do stretch. A form-fitting wetsuit allows less water to circulate in and out of the suit. This will keep you warmer, and having less water will keep the weight down, making for lighter, easier riding. It's best to keep a wetsuit for your own personal use.[/FONT]
[FONT=Trebuchet MS, Lucida Grande, Arial, sans-serif]Test New Equipment
At the end of the season, new wakeboards and accessories such as bindings are introduced. Since you are in prime physical condition right now, this is a great time to test new gear to see if you can improve your performance with an equipment update.[/FONT]
[FONT=Trebuchet MS, Lucida Grande, Arial, sans-serif]If you have been riding with a standard 12" wide water ski handle, try a 15" wakeboard handle, which makes handle passing for spins easier.[/FONT]
[FONT=Trebuchet MS, Lucida Grande, Arial, sans-serif]Non-stretch wakeboard lines come with take-off loops. Test different line lengths to arrive at the combination of speed to the wake and wake size and shape that works best for you. Also experiment with different boat speeds. The goal is to see how much air time you can get.[/FONT]
[FONT=Trebuchet MS, Lucida Grande, Arial, sans-serif]The 10' difference between these two lines (70' and 80') makes a bit difference at the wake.[/FONT]
[FONT=Trebuchet MS, Lucida Grande, Arial, sans-serif]
[/FONT]
[FONT=Trebuchet MS, Lucida Grande, Arial, sans-serif]Being properly balanced over your board and bindings is essential to great riding. You need optimal technical stance, but your equipment can also play a part. A more supportive and comfortable binding will best transmit the energy through your legs and feet to the board, giving you better control. Also, a new board, perhaps a different style or size better suited to your weight, body type and riding style, might let you achieve a balanced stance more easily. Especially for young riders, you might have gained height and weight, essentially outgrowing your current board.[/FONT]
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Finally, you can test riding with or without fins, and try fins that offer various depths for more or less grab when edging to the wake.[/FONT]
[FONT=Trebuchet MS, Lucida Grande, Arial, sans-serif]Ready for Next Season
Also don't complain about the true off season. It's a great time to rest and recover, while you work on your land practice and review videos of your riding, and that of the pros. Have fun.[/FONT]
[FONT=Trebuchet MS, Lucida Grande, Arial, sans-serif]Raimi Merritt wins her 10th World Cup with her recent win in Linyi City, China. Raimi is also 2 times IWWF Open Women Wakeboard World Champion and a Masters Champion. Raimi is sponsored by Mynt, Nautique, Hyperlite, Rollei Actioncam America, Breathe Boardwear, Proof Eyewear, OrigAudio, Wakami, Peripheral LS and Fly High. Visit www.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]
[/FONT][FONT=Trebuchet MS, Lucida Grande, Arial, sans-serif]Stay Warm
Your sets will be far more productive and fun if you can stay warm. A properly fitted wetsuit can give you added comfort during these cooler days.[/FONT]
[FONT=Trebuchet MS, Lucida Grande, Arial, sans-serif]Wearing any wetsuit is a tradeoff. You gain warmth but sacrifice mobility. You won't feel as flexible as when riding in your flotation vest and board shorts, but you'll be able to ride longer without shivering. Keeping muscles warm also reduces the risk of injury and allows you to concentrate on your riding.[/FONT]
[FONT=Trebuchet MS, Lucida Grande, Arial, sans-serif]Obviously, a full wetsuit with long legs and arms will keep you the warmest, but it will restrict your movements the most, while a shorty will be a compromise between warmth and flexibility.[/FONT]
[FONT=Trebuchet MS, Lucida Grande, Arial, sans-serif]The fit of the wetsuit is critical to warmth. A new suit should be a bit tight, because they do stretch. A form-fitting wetsuit allows less water to circulate in and out of the suit. This will keep you warmer, and having less water will keep the weight down, making for lighter, easier riding. It's best to keep a wetsuit for your own personal use.[/FONT]
[FONT=Trebuchet MS, Lucida Grande, Arial, sans-serif]Test New Equipment
At the end of the season, new wakeboards and accessories such as bindings are introduced. Since you are in prime physical condition right now, this is a great time to test new gear to see if you can improve your performance with an equipment update.[/FONT]
[FONT=Trebuchet MS, Lucida Grande, Arial, sans-serif]If you have been riding with a standard 12" wide water ski handle, try a 15" wakeboard handle, which makes handle passing for spins easier.[/FONT]
[FONT=Trebuchet MS, Lucida Grande, Arial, sans-serif]Non-stretch wakeboard lines come with take-off loops. Test different line lengths to arrive at the combination of speed to the wake and wake size and shape that works best for you. Also experiment with different boat speeds. The goal is to see how much air time you can get.[/FONT]
[FONT=Trebuchet MS, Lucida Grande, Arial, sans-serif]The 10' difference between these two lines (70' and 80') makes a bit difference at the wake.[/FONT]
[FONT=Trebuchet MS, Lucida Grande, Arial, sans-serif]
[/FONT][FONT=Trebuchet MS, Lucida Grande, Arial, sans-serif]Being properly balanced over your board and bindings is essential to great riding. You need optimal technical stance, but your equipment can also play a part. A more supportive and comfortable binding will best transmit the energy through your legs and feet to the board, giving you better control. Also, a new board, perhaps a different style or size better suited to your weight, body type and riding style, might let you achieve a balanced stance more easily. Especially for young riders, you might have gained height and weight, essentially outgrowing your current board.[/FONT]
[FONT=Trebuchet MS, Lucida Grande, Arial, sans-serif]
Finally, you can test riding with or without fins, and try fins that offer various depths for more or less grab when edging to the wake.[/FONT][FONT=Trebuchet MS, Lucida Grande, Arial, sans-serif]Ready for Next Season
Also don't complain about the true off season. It's a great time to rest and recover, while you work on your land practice and review videos of your riding, and that of the pros. Have fun.[/FONT]
[FONT=Trebuchet MS, Lucida Grande, Arial, sans-serif]Raimi Merritt wins her 10th World Cup with her recent win in Linyi City, China. Raimi is also 2 times IWWF Open Women Wakeboard World Champion and a Masters Champion. Raimi is sponsored by Mynt, Nautique, Hyperlite, Rollei Actioncam America, Breathe Boardwear, Proof Eyewear, OrigAudio, Wakami, Peripheral LS and Fly High. Visit www.raimimerritt.com for the latest news. Raimi also offers personalized coaching in Orlando, Florida. E-mail raimi@stevemerritt.com to schedule a lesson.[/FONT]