Wakeboarding can be intimidating for beginners. Surprisingly, most people find out quickly that it is much easier to learn than waterskiing. With wakeboarding, there is much more “board” in contact with the surface of the water than with traditional water skis. The key to a successful first time rider is “RELAXATION.” A lot of beginners make the mistake of trying to “fight the boat” or “muscle” their way out of the water. Big mistake! I always tell my students: “The boat will always win.” And they will spend a lot less time drinking Geist instead of riding on Geist if they do not relax and let the boat do the work.
Lesson #1. Relax. Get your wakeboard on your feet, and get into the water. Relax. Lay on your back, and let your board float to the surface. Extend your legs and relax in the water. Your life jacket and board will support you quite comfortably. Relax. When you have the rope and handle (you should always try to take it with you when you jump in), let the rope rest on top of the board, and grip the handle lightly. Relax. By this time you are perpendicular to the boat, and the slack will slowly be coming out of the rope. When the rope tightens, BEND YOUR KNEES and prepare for a quick drag. THIS IS THE MOST IMPORTANT THING YOU WILL EVER LEARN: “THE CRAB” position. This is: “ARMS STRAIGHT. KNEES TO CHEST. RELAX.” When the boat is in idle and you are in the crab position, you can drag comfortably for miles. DO NOT STAND UP. Just drag for a few seconds in this position while the boat idles forward. Remember: When the rope tightens and you start to feel a pull, bend your knees and get into the crab position.
As the boat driver SLOWLY increases the boat speed, DO NOT STAND UP TOO FAST. Relax. Stay in the crab position with your butt just inches above the surface of the water and ride sideways like a crab. Most people find this position surprisingly easy and comfortable. Relax. Just ride sideways down the lake. Practice this move several times before attempting stand up.
Lesson #2. Once you have mastered riding in the crab position, it is time to stand up. A clever rhyme to remember when standing up is: "STAY LOW. STAND UP SLOW. STAND UP FAST. YOU'LL NEVER LAST." This rhyme perfectly illustrates the most common mistake that people make: You are not a pro-rider yet. Do not try and look like one. If you try and stand tall on your board, you will catch an edge and do your first of many “face-plants.” As a beginner, you should stand in a defensive position with your butt sticking out, arms straight, knees bent, and more weight on your back leg than on your front. RELAX. You are wakeboarding! Do not worry about what you look like. As you progress, your form will evolve into a more comfortable stance. For now, enjoy the ride and RELAX and have fun!
A few notes to you drivers out there: A nice, easy throttle to a speed of about 15 miles per hour is a good place to start with your beginner. Also, save the first time wakeboard attempt for a calm day. Huge weekend swells are not the time and place to learn correctly. Good luck out there!
For more information, visit Derek Dechert's website at IndySkiSchool.com
