Salom skier to Waker Boarder

[AZBoatDreamer]

I think Next season Im going to give it a go at wake Boarding. I'm a average skilled Salom skier and I want to start wake boarding next season. I'm 43yr male in good shape so I dont think I will have any problems. What attracts me to wake boarding is the less towing speed and easier to be pulled out of the water. Also More possibilities for more tricks than cutting in and out of the wake. I feel kind of like old school because I rarely see any Salom skiers. I don't plan on getting a tower. I don't need big air that a tower gives you. Also I don't have a typical Wake board boat. I think my Current BR boat will suit me fine.

Any suggesting in making the transition.

Thanks.

 

[solar7647]

Re: Salom skier to Waker Boarder

Make sure you research the type and size of board that is best for you. Being a beginner I would say stay away from anything with a large rocker, the rocker is how dramatic the curve of the board is. A larger rocker will also want to get air born when you are going over the wake and over other boats wakes and you don't want that starting off IMO. Also I would suggest a continuous rocker, that means the bord has a smooth curve to it from tip to tail.

A 3 stage rocker will break the curve allowing the center of the board to be flat, that flatt section causes the board to be really fast when edging out from the wake and it makes catching the edge of the board a lot easier and when you do that you end up doing a face/belly smacker at 20mph. No fun!

Next you will want a board with curved ends, a board with square ends is designed to release from the water easier when jumping and make edging and keeping the board in control a little more difficult.

You will also want a board with a three fin set up on each end, two fixed or molded fins near the sides of the board and one larger removable fin in the center on each end. This will help you learn to control the board and once you get the hang of it you remove the center fins witch will loosen the board allowing it to become more "slippery" feeling allowing you to start learning some surface tricks, but just starting out without that center fin will make you work hard with your legs trying to keep the board under you, once it's loose and you don't know how to control it you will feel out of control and like its going to just slip right out from under you.

Bindings are really important, I suggest you buy a board and then binding, don't get one of those cheap package deals with the flimsy rubber bindings. Go to a shop and try a few pairs on, you really want to support your ankles well. An open toe binding will be more adjustable but a closed toe will be a better fit and more supportive.

There is a lot to read that can really get you going. I would also suggest a second look into a tower, they make a big difference in the hole ride, not just in getting air.Once you start boarding ride behind your boat without a tower and then try to get a ride behind a boat with a tower, that will give you a good idea of the difference it makes.

 

[brick75]

Re: Salom skier to Waker Boarder

If you haven't already, I'd highly suggest watching some "how to" videos on youtube before heading out. Getting up can be frustrating for beginners if they don't know the proper technique or have an experienced rider there that can give some pointers. Once you know how to position yourself, it's a piece of cake. Good luck, I'm sure you'll really like it.

 

[oldjeep]

Re: Salom skier to Waker Boarder

Plan on faceplanting - alot Switching from slalom to wakeboarding feels about as natural as going from skiing to snowboarding. Unless you are paying attention all the time you'll find your feet facing forward all of the sudden.

That being said, wakeboarding is simple once you figure out the magic of getting up. Hint: the secret is you do nothing, it just happens. That is the hardest part for a skier to figure out since we are used to having to work to get out of the water.

As for the equipment - we've got a couple boards, the upper end stuff at a Dicks Sporting goods works just fine (CWB Pure with Torque bindings), when you are just starting out there's no point in going all equipment crazy.

 

[skibrain]

Re: Salom skier to Waker Boarder

...going to the Dark Side

 

[AZBoatDreamer]

Re: Salom skier to Waker Boarder

Thanks everyone for the Idea and tips.

I just have to give this a try. No not going to the dark side. I will still salom ski at times when the water is Glass.

 

[DaveM]

Re: Salom skier to Waker Boarder

...going to the Dark Side

Too funny!

 

[*mtrbtr*]

Re: Salom skier to Waker Boarder

I did what you want to do. I kind of switched back to slalom skiing cause those wakeboard crashes hurt too much now....

 

[Frank Acampora]

Re: Salom skier to Waker Boarder

I have also switched from slalom to wakeboarding--not totally, I do either as the mood strikes me. My first impression was frustration because as a good slalom skier, I could not get up on the board. It took me about ten tries before I learned that I needed to "forget" how to deepwater a slalom.

With the board in front of me, both knees up, and both feet forward (not a natural slalom position), I drag my butt until it starts to plane and then as it comes up I swiftly swivel it so the keels don't catch.


Your age does not matter, I am 66. What does matter is that you learn what you are doing wrong from the first failure to get up. After that, its all fun.

 

[2ndtry]

Re: Salom skier to Waker Boarder

I think you will have a blast. I'm a bit older than you and find wake boarding easier, so I do it a lot more often than slalom. I have a giant board so getting up is a breeze and I can go a bout twice as long with the board as the ski before I get tired (you are also likely in better shape than I).

You will fall a lot more but it wont hurt as much, because of the slower speed. Just try not to catch a front edge and faceplant .

BTW: I have friends that have boats set up for surfing ($$$ V-drives with integrated ballast), and that will be my sport when I'm older and richer. 12 MPH and zero stress on the joints.

 

[skibrain]

Re: Salom skier to Waker Boarder

I tried it once. My toes were pointing sideways. It was really weird.

 

[DaveM]

Re: Salom skier to Waker Boarder

I totally get the toes pointing in a strange position. But look, you are boarding in the middle of the day, in the sun no less. Not like at 5 AM.

I found getting up and general riding to be much easier, but I am not good enough to do any jumps. I just feel unstable on a board. And which way is forward. Anyways?

 

[oldjeep]

Re: Salom skier to Waker Boarder

BTW: I have friends that have boats set up for surfing ($$$ V-drives with integrated ballast), and that will be my sport when I'm older and richer. 12 MPH and zero stress on the joints.

And zero braincells left over time from directly sucking boat exhaust

 

[sickwilly]

Re: Salom skier to Waker Boarder

Just do it! I had a hard transition at first because of years of pointing my toes at the back of the boat from everything from barefooting to Jumping the ramp. However, once you get it down, its a nice mix. Yes, the first couple of times you let the leading edge catch you will hurt. Heck, I had to drink my beer through a straw one night after wakeboarding cuz I tweaked my darn neck so much. However, I rarely catch an edge any more. Once you get the feel down, you can really catch some good air, even off a 19 foot io.

If you don't have a board yet, try to find a used Liquid Force Fish. Damn fun and forgiving board, but will still totally pop!

Do not get a hydroslide brand board. The year I picked up a cheap one of those from ebay I did not progress at all.

Have fun two timing (going from the dark side and back). Heck on any given day I have trick skis on the boat, kneeboards, wakeboard, slalom skis, tubes (the real dark side, bye the way!), etc. The only thing I am yet to try is the hydrofoil ski chair! Some day.

 

[rallyart]

Re: Salom skier to Waker Boarder

And zero braincells left over time from directly sucking boat exhaust

Several ways to prevent that. The best is to get an FAE which is also the best upgrade to your stereo you can make for the money.

I took up wakeboarding because it was getting to be too much work skiing. Now I was never any hotshot on my slalom ski but the boarding was much easier. Faceplants happen and happen very suddenly. I now prefer surfing and hydrofoiling by a wide margin.

 

[skibrain]

Re: Salom skier to Waker Boarder

I've looked at the fresh air website. It interests me mostly for noise suppression. (trying not to wake the lake residents at 5:30 am)

 

[86 century]

Re: Salom skier to Waker Boarder

I made the transition from skies to wakeboarding two years ago.
All I can say is for the love of god man dont do it you will find your self wanting one of those inboard boats that have a huge wake. Next thing you know all the jet fleas are following you around.
At best you will end up with some type of exstended pole sticking 7 or 8 feet in the air or worse yet a rolecage on your boat not to mention the $1000plus you need to spend on some type of speed control to hold the fancy new ride at 18mph on the dot.


All joking aside the bigest thing is get a nonstretch mainline.
I didnt know this the first year and nearly gave up on boarding.

 

[AZBoatDreamer]

Re: Salom skier to Waker Boarder

Your guys have giving me some great tips. Looking forward to March to give this a try.

Thank you

 

[oldjeep]

Re: Salom skier to Waker Boarder

Your guys have giving me some great tips. Looking forward to March to give this a try.

Thank you

Wait till March? In AZ? Just saw someone skiing yesterday on one of our local lakes in MN.

 

[skibrain]

Re: Salom skier to Waker Boarder

Rumor has it that it is always cold and snowy in Gilbert, AZ.