How To Wakeboard As a Beginner

If you are a beginner in wakeboarding, there are a few things to keep in mind to make sure your first run is safe and enjoyable.

Steps

1. 1
   Wear a lifejacket and use a spotter. A basic boating safety tip for all water sports is to make sure there is a designated spotter to help alert the driver to your position at all times and keep an eye out for other approaching boats or objects in the water.
2. 2
   Figure out if you are goofy or regular footed. Before you go out on the water for the first time, one of the most basic wakeboarding tips to remember is to decide which foot you want to face forward. The foot you choose should be the foot you always intuitively place forward, whether it’s because you’re about to kick a ball or you’re regaining your balance.
3. 3
   Use a shorter rope. Another helpful beginner wakeboarding tip is to use a shorter rope that makes it easier for beginners to get up and out of the water. Our recommended length is somewhere between 30 and 50 feet.
4. 4
   Use a beginner wakeboarding stance. Using a beginner wakeboarding stance will make the board easier to control and navigate. The easiest stance for beginner wakeboarding is to place the back binding far back towards the end of the board and align it at zero degrees, so that the rider’s weight is able to press directly on top of the rear fin. The front binding should be at about a 15-27 degree angle, slightly pointed towards the front of the wakeboard.
5. 5
   Grasp the rope handle in both hands tightly and wait until the driver has driven far enough to eliminate slack from the rope.
6. 6
   Position your lower body as you would while sitting in a chair. The front edge of the wakeboard should be perpendicular to the rope and just above the surface of the water. Your knees should be between your elbows.
7. 7
   Signal to the driver that you are ready to be pulled up.
8. 8
   Hold on to the rope and keep the board edge above the water as the boat accelerates.
9. 9
   Let the boat pull you up and when your body is completely out of the water, begin to straighten your legs.
10. 10
    Gently guide the board in turning to point at the back of the boat.
11. 11
    Lean slightly on your back foot to keep the front edge of the board from going under the water.
    
    

    
    

    
    

    
    

Tips

• Don't pull the rope, because then you will probably get the nose of your board into the water which will then make you fall fore over. Keep straight arms instead and let the boat pull you.
• Stay close to the board at first. Keep your arms and knees tucked in and stay crouched down until you are fully out of the water. Then, try standing slowly and deliberately so that balance and weight distribution are evenly maintained.
• Distribute your weight correctly. When trying to get up and out of the water, most of your weight needs to on your front foot (about 60%). However, once you are in a standing position, remember to shift the weight back.
• Keep the tow handle low. Beginners will find it easier to stay up if the rope handle is held in a lowered position that is parallel to the water (instead of perpendicular, as is common with waterskiing).
• Use the correct boat speed. Be sure to remind your driver that wakeboarding requires less boat speed than waterskiing or other water sports. The maximum recommended speed should be around 14-19mph.
• Take your time. The most important wakeboarding tip is to take your time, stay relaxed, and remember that practice makes perfect! Don’t become frustrated if it takes several tries or more to get up your first time. Mistakes and spills are a normal part of the learning process

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