Ask The Experts | Wakeboarding: Have Fun & Be the Champion of the Lake (Part 2)

[iboats.com]

[FONT=Trebuchet MS, Lucida Grande, Arial, sans-serif]Wake jumps, spins, and inverts are at the core to getting good and becoming a great rider. It's just not about doing a spin or an invert; it's about how well you do these basics. For example, you will go a lot further by doing a perfect 180 turn than a sloppy 360. The same is true with inverts. If you are just barely landing a back roll, and you end up in squatted position with eyes closed, your progress will be inconsistent and limited. [/FONT]

[FONT=Trebuchet MS, Lucida Grande, Arial, sans-serif]This is the second in a three part series on basic wakeboarding moves. Last month we covered jumps; now, let's go through spins. Next month we'll work on inverts. [/FONT]

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[FONT=Trebuchet MS, Lucida Grande, Arial, sans-serif]Key 2. Spins
Next on the building blocks of learning is the spin. One of the first tricks you will do is to pop the wake and do a 180, landing in switch stance. [/FONT]


[FONT=Trebuchet MS, Lucida Grande, Arial, sans-serif]It doesn't matter which foot-forward position you normally use. Some folks are right foot forward and others place their left foot forward.[/FONT]


[FONT=Trebuchet MS, Lucida Grande, Arial, sans-serif]When you do a spin from the wake, even if it's a 180 turn, learning the right time to begin the spin is really important. Most riders go too soon, beginning the turn at the base of the wake. Instead, you should wait until you are off the water and nearing the peak of the pop. I call that the "Now" moment, the right time to begin the rotation.[/FONT]

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[FONT=Trebuchet MS, Lucida Grande, Arial, sans-serif]It takes a little patience and discipline to wait the extra fraction to use the entire wake; however, you get a lot more air time by using the whole wake to get added height before you start rotation. When you have plenty of air time, the spin tricks are so much easier and cleaner. [/FONT]


[FONT=Trebuchet MS, Lucida Grande, Arial, sans-serif]The keys to a perfect spin is to rotate with your hips while keeping the upper body quiet and eyes level (ready to spot the landing). Staying close to the handle during any rotation is important if you want to keep the rotation quick, precise, and consistent. Start with basic 180 but remember to work both heel and toe to the wake and both directions of the board. It's a lot more fun being able to do tricks from either side of the wake. [/FONT]


[FONT=Trebuchet MS, Lucida Grande, Arial, sans-serif]Next Month we'll go through inverts (yes, those that you will actually do on purpose). See you then.[/FONT]

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[FONT=Trebuchet MS, Lucida Grande, Arial, sans-serif] Raimi [/FONT]
[FONT=Trebuchet MS, Lucida Grande, Arial, sans-serif][EDITOR'S NOTE] Check out the great summer savings on wakeboards and other essential watersports gear at iboats.com[/FONT]


[FONT=Trebuchet MS, Lucida Grande, Arial, sans-serif]Raimi Merritt, 8-time World Cup champion, is sponsored by MonaVie, Nautique, Hyperlite, Smith Optics, Breathe Boardwear and Fly High. Raimi also offers personalized coaching in Orlando, Florida. Email raimi@stevemerritt.com to schedule a lesson. For all the latest news, check out www.raimimerritt.com or on facebook[/FONT]