First time on Wakeboard

[valkcycle]

So excited. Got up my fourth try. Felt great. Now I'm hooked!

I was actually using a junior board, only one that was available at the time. Anyway, four attempts and I popped right up. I kneeboard and ski, so I understand the whole balance over the board, etc. Started with the board perpindicular to the boat, then turn as soon as I started, rope in tight, knees bent over the board. After watching me fail the first three attempts, got some good advice from seasoned kneeboarders and it worked.

I was pulled by a 3.0 merc, 135hp, four winns with a wakeboard tower. Pulled me right up. I am 5'10", about 175#.

So, here's my question:
How much difference does the tower make compared to using the tow hook on the stern. I am a complete amateur and not planning on doing any huge tricks. Just like to be pulled around for some good fun wakeboarding.

Thanks guys. Great forum.

 

[Uraijit]

Re: First time on Wakeboard

The tower does make it a little more natural to get up, but once you've gotten up and know what it feels like, you should be able to get up tower or not. For basic wakeboarding, a tower won't make much difference for you. Just have fun, and focus on the basics, and keep your board on the water. Once you get confident and start doing jumps, etc., that's the time to start thinking about towers...

 

[Liquid_force]

Re: First time on Wakeboard

It would be interesting to see what difference a tower actually makes vs the standard tow point on the same boat.
It can't have much difference getting up as the angle is only around 5 degrees higher.
We have a tower on our 19' I/O, but I find it to be more valuable as board storage than as a big improvment on our riding.

 

[Uraijit]

Re: First time on Wakeboard

My experience has been that the less of the rope that stays under water, under tension, the easier it is to get up. It's not a huge difference, but it's definitely there. I've noticed that it makes a bigger difference with girls, and people without a lot of upper-body strength.

Like I said though, once you actually do it, and know what it feels like to get up on the board, it's easy to get up, tower or no.