Problem with switch riding

[drbones]

Ok..only been riding for about 2 weeks..I think I ride goofy.(right foot lead and i'm right handed??)...I have practiced my toe/heal ...
have no problem with that...I can get small air over 1 wake..no w2w yet..LOL...
but when I try to do a switch(180) ..I'm getting to much slack in the rope...and I end up falling on my rear...
I can turn 180 no problem but after I turn I have so much slack that I have to climb up the rope to keep the slack out..
what am I doing wrong that I keep getting so much slack??
I have never tried a switch(180) on the outside of wake..only the inside..

[waykboard]

bones,,
without actually seeing you in action it's kinda hard to guess at what you are doing to cause that slack line,,but it has been my experience that any time you pull the rope you will create slack,,try focusing on keeping the rope tight to you center,,and ride your edge all the way up the wake for better pop and air ,,

[drbones]

I think what I'm doing is trying to ride it like a kneeboard....
when I do a 180switch I have been pulling the rope to help me turn...
then after I turn I have so much slack that i bust my rear...guess that is better then a faceplant...LOL...but it sure is hard on the ummmm...LOL
when I do a switch180....do i just use my hips and push down with my rear foot ...like on a skateboard??

[waykboard]

bones,,
yes the 180 can be done with just rotating the hips,,you really dont need to pull the rope,,but as your 180 turns into 360's and 540's you will need some pull on the rope to get the rotation,,but take it easy,,instead of a strong jerk on the rope that will cause a lot of slack ,,let it be a smooth,fluid pull,,but there is no problem in wakeboarding that cant be worked out with practice ,, keep at it ,, it will come,,

[drbones]

Just an UPDATE.
Ok I got the switch..(surface 180)...
But the only way I can do is to start left foot leading....then I can switch to my right foot leading.....but I still cant switch from right back to left...
I guess I'm going to have to pratice riding left foot lead....
It is really strange feeling riding left foot leading.....is that normal??


No one even rides wakeboards here..(hard to even buy one without ordering it)..other ppl in the campground are asking to borrow it...then asking how to ride it....LOL...
So If anyone rides on the ohio river near parkersburg...feel free to chime in...maybe hookup sometime...

[yitbos]

Bones,

I’m no expert on switch riding. I get very shaky and unstable as soon as I get up switch or try a 180. However, I’ve learned a couple of things from the guys I wakeboard with.

1. Doing a 180 either to the center of the wake or wake-to-wake is easier if you go on your toe side instead of heal side.
2. To make the transition, you start with the rope at your lead hip, which is normal for this sport. Then as you make your jump to the center of the wake, move he rope to your back hip (in this case it would be your left hip). This will automatically make the board rotate and start the transition for you. You should not have to force the board to rotate; it should be a smooth process.

It’s easy for me to say when I can’t do it myself. I just started doing 180’s to the center of the wake this past weekend. It will take some time to stick that trick, but I definitely found it easier on the toe side and was able to get lined up properly to land, I just couldn’t maintain the balance I needed and ended up on my tail as well.

John