Boat v's Cable

[Gazza P]

Just wanted a bit of advice guys! Having spent all my boarding (and dare I say it, ski-ing!) career behind the boat I've recently moved to London only to find that getting any time with a wake is going to cost an arm and a leg. Obviously the cable at Thorpe or Princes is looking like a much more accessible option but I'm a bit worried about the transition from one the other. Never been on a cable before and I wonder how it compares in terms of difficulty, technique and fun. Will I get bored quicky without a wake, considering I've never hit a slider? Is it time to go buy a lid? Is it ridiculously hard to get decent air by simply loading up or will it be like learning everything all over again? Answers on a postcard please.......

Cheers, G

[el-tio]

you'll find plenty to occupy yourself with on the Sliders & Kickers

loading the line to flip isn't easy but if you can do it behind a boat at least you'll know how to rotate. The transition will be easy - get used to dock starts and it will be palin sailing (well boarding)

[kristian]

Its not near as hard as you make it sound. I think cable parks are loads of fun. Sliders are great! (yes buy a helmet) They're a little scary at first, but once you get used to them, you'll have a blast. You won't be getting the huge air first time out, but with some practice, you'll get there fine. It took me about 3 weeks to get the loading of the line to get air, but I didn't concentrate on it too much, I was having too much fun on the sliders (then I fractured my anckle and haven't had a chance to do it again).
And transition from boat to cable is a breeze, its not as differant as you think.
But there is only one way to find out, go and give it a few try's, you're not losing anything.

[MazzaM01]

Do you need to be really flexible to do tricks and that?
I was reading how Dallas Friday done gymnastics and after wakeboarding for one season was entering competitions and that, i am guessing a combination of fitness, flexability and nerve helped.
I also see that going on the trampoline is meant to help. I suppose if your in America with a back yard the size of farm then you can get one in, but here in the UK not the case, is it likely that the lakes/club houses have them? :?

[kristian]

The Gymnastics stuff really helps with airial awareness. Being able to control your body while you are spinning around is a big advantage. Alot of the female pro were into gymnastics and there are some guys like Lyman who were high divers.
Yes its true in America the big backgardens help, and trampolines are cheap. Luckily I have a fair sized garden back home, its far from huge but enough to fit a trampoline. Some clubs have trampolines some don't, best just to ask.