Deepwater Start

[AlanR]

I received a Wakeboard for my anniversary this past weekend. I watched the DVD that came with the board and tried to get up using a deepwater start. After 12 tries I gave up, for the time being, due to exhaustion.

We were using our 20' deck boat that has an elevated ski eye. My wife was trying to start out slow but I couldn't hang on long enough to get up. My wife does wakeboard behind this boat. We had the rope at 50 feet. It just seems I was stuck dragging behind the boat, unable to get up.

FYI, I have been a water skiier for 20 years.

It probably doesn't help that I am 47 years old trying to learn something new.

Any suggestions are welcome.

[DBJTS]

try this link its a pretty good instructional

WakeWorld -- Articles - Getting Started Made Easy

[Hels]

I've had a few friends wakeboard for the first time this year and some of them - (funnily enough mostly the guys!) have had the same problem. The key is to relax and don't try and resist the pull of the boat. A lot of people pull with their arms and push with their legs when the boat starts to pull them - don't do this! Keep your arms straight and your shoulders forward. Allow the pressure against the bottom of the board to push your knees in towards your chest and stay in that position as you (hopefully) get pulled up and over the board. When you feel you want to straighten your legs and stand up - count to 5 and then do it as it's likely to be too early.
Hope this helps

[rank_amateur]

I couldn't work it out at first either but the thing I found helped most was to make sure you point your toes somewhat when the boat pulls. If the board remains perpendicular to the pull of the boat then it's like trying to push a brick wall with your feet. Not good! If on the other hand you point your toes a bit then the board tips forward, the water gets underneath it and lifts you up until you are planing.
Not sure if I do consciously do it anymore and it's probably completely the wrong thing to do but it helped me at the time.

[synliz]

Ive seen loads of people deepwater start, and most seem to have their board perpendicular to the boat. However, i just couldnt do it! So when the boat starts to pull me i just put my right foot (im goofy) in front as soon as im pulled so your pointing the board to the boat, the board doesnt catch the water.

I could be wrong, it could just look like people have their board perpandicular to the boat, but i have got up every time after i started pointing the board to the boat as soon as im pulled.

[Georgie]

when i start i will have my board level with the water, the top edge i guess slightly forward and knees right up at my chest, arms straight. wait for the board to just come up, drop what ever foot i want at the back back and then maybe wait abotu 2 seconds and just stand up but keeping my knees bent.

when i was tryign to get up on the other foot i had to start with the back foot lower in the water to make me put that foot at the back.. but now its not an issue and i start level for both feet.

i fall in so much i have had alot of practice getting up!