If you’ve decided to try wakeboarding for the first time, there are a few things you should probably learn.
It’s difficult to learn a new activity, but it’s also fun – there’s no denying that you may fall on your face a lot and let go of the pulley handle before having a good laugh and using muscles you didn’t even know you had.
Trust us when we tell you that learning how to wakeboard will be one of the most gratifyingly pleasurable activities you’ve ever done!
We have some of the greatest advice for those just getting started on their wakeboarding adventure – here are our top eight tips for wakeboard beginners.
1 Wakeboarding Can Be Tough On Your Arms
As a novice, you may expect to develop your arm strength from the start. One of the first things you’ll notice when starting out is how tough it is on your arms. You’ll be able to lift the rope without difficulty, but within minutes, your arms may begin to throb.
You’ll feel like your arms are going to fall off after several minutes. I assure you, this will happen. You will gain strength and acclimate over time. Don’t be scared by it. The enjoyment far outweighs the difficulties for novices.
2 You’ll Most Likely Fall Flat On Your Face
You should not be afraid of falling off your wakeboard, even on your first few tries. Every new wakeboarder should understand that there is plenty of time to learn and that YES, you will fall off and get wet!
You’re in a boat, and suddenly you’ve spit out lake water. It happens! You’ll have no idea what’s going on, but your buoyancy aid will keep you afloat while the ship goes back around to rescue you!
To prevent this, your trainer will walk you through how to avoid it and provide more abilities as you advance, but to be truthful, it’s all part of the adventure!
3 Hitting The Water Can Hurt
Just a note to let you know that when you jump into the water, it’s likely to feel like doing a belly flop at your local pool. Many individuals believe that falling into the water will result in a cushioned landing, but this idea is incorrect.
When you’re traveling at a high rate of speed, gripping a rope or cable – you won’t be able to get your body ready to hit the water without feeling a sting as you hit the water.
4 Beginners Should Use Shorter Rope
For novices to wakeboarding, short ropes are more pleasant to practice on. For beginners, having a shorter line makes standing up easier. A shorter rope keeps the wakeboarder in the narrower portion of the wake. You can also hear the boat better and the instructor’s instructions louder.
Ropes with a diameter of 6mm are ideal for beginners and can help them develop their technique more quickly. Longer ropes allow more experienced riders to obtain more speed and air for tricks. Beginners should use a rope that is between 30 and 50 feet wide.
5 Don’t Pull The Rope
It’s a typical impulse for wakeboarding novices to tug on the rope as they learn how to ride. Instead of doing it, choose not to. Wakeboarding is not about pulling yourself up; rather, it’s all about letting go and gliding down!
Let the boat carry you to your feet. If you tug on the line, the board’s nose may inadvertently descend into the water beneath you, causing you to topple in!
6 Always Look Straight Ahead When Wakeboarding
One of the most beneficial pieces of wakeboarding advice for novices is to look straight ahead. While it’s tempting to view the board flying over the surface when you look down at your feet on a wakeboard, don’t do it.
When you look at your feet, you will put too much weight on your front foot. To avoid falling off, keep your appearance focused forward!
7 Buy A Beginners Wakeboard
Beginners should purchase a bigger board and avoid getting caught up in all of the extravagant boards. Using our sizing chart (below), determine the correct board size for your body. Don’t buy a board just because it’s fashionable; get one that is comfy to learn on!
Learning on an advanced wakeboard is not recommended for novices, and it might make it more difficult to learn the sport.
8 Be Patient
You’re a novice. Unless you’re some sort of celebrity who can put their mind and body to anything, things won’t come to you right away! Wakeboarding is difficult for everyone at first, but with practice it will become easier. The more confidence you have on the water, the better you’ll be in a few months’ time!