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If you have decided to take the plunge and take up wakeboarding, then there are a few things you should probably get to grips with first. It can be tough learning a new sport, however enjoyable it looks – there’s no denying that you could fall on your face a lot, let go of the pulley handle and wound up having a bob around and use muscles you didn’t even know you had before. But trust us when we say that learning how to wakeboard will be one of the most satisfyingly enjoyable things you ever do!
We have some of the best tips for those of you setting out on your wakeboarding journey – here are our top 8 tips for wakeboarding beginners in 2020.
Tip 1 – Wakeboarding Can Be Tough On Your Arms
As a beginner, you can look forward to building your arm strength from the get-go. One thing you’ll notice at your beginner sessions is how hard it can be on your arms. You’ll pull up on the rope just fine, but within a few minutes, your arms may start to ache. After several minutes more, your arms will feel like they’re about to drop off haha. Trust me. You will get stronger and get used to it in time. Don’t be put off by it. The fun far outweighs beginners pains.
Tip 2 – You’ll Most Likely Fall Flat On Your Face!
You shouldn’t be afraid of falling off your wakeboard, especially on your first few attempts. Every new wakeboarder should know that there’s plenty of time to learn and that YES, you’re going to fall off and get wet!
One moment you’ll be speeding along, the next you’ll be spitting out lake water… it happens! You will have absolutely no idea what is happening, but your buoyancy aid will keep you afloat while the boat comes back around to get you! Your instructor will guide you on how to prevent this and teach you more skills as you go along but to be honest, it’s all part of the fun!
Tip 3 – Hitting The Water Can Hurt
Just a heads up to let you know that when you hit the water, it’s probably going to feel like doing a big belly flop at the local swimming pool. Often people think that landing on the water will provide them with a soft landing, but this theory is wrong. When you’re travelling at high speeds, holding on to a rope or cable – you’ll be unable to get your body ready to hit the water without feeling a little slap as you hit the water.
Tip 4 – Beginners Should Use Shorter Rope
Short ropes are more comfortable to practise with for newcomers to the wakeboarding sport. Having a shorter line also makes standing up better for beginners. A shorter rope ensures the wakeboarder stays in the wake’s narrower portion. You can also hear the boat clearer and the instructor’s advice being yelled.
Longer ropes allow more experienced riders the ability to get more pace and air for tricks. Beginners are recommended to use a rope which is between 30 and 50 feet wide.
Tip 5 – Don’t Pull The Rope
It’s a common instinct for wakeboarding newcomers to tug on the rope when wakeboarding for the first time. Choose not to do it. Wakeboarding is not about having to pull yourself up! Let the boat bring you to your feet. If you pull on the line, the board’s nose can potentially sink into the bed of water you’re on, which will lead you to fall in!
Tip 6 – Always Look Straight Ahead When Wakeboarding
One of the best pieces of wakeboarding advice for beginners that you could receive is to gaze straight ahead. Do not look at your feet on the wakeboard, while it is enticing to see the board sailing over the surface. You’ll actually place too much weight on your front foot by staring at your feet. Keep your look held forwards to avoid falling off!
Tip 7 – Buy A Beginners Wakeboard
Buy a larger board and don’t bother with all the fancy boards when you’re first starting out. Get the right size for your body using our sizing chart (below). Learn using a board that is comfortable – not a board that simply looks cool! Learning on an advanced wakeboard is not a good idea for a beginner and could make it more difficult to learn the sport.
Tip 8 – Be Patient
You’re a beginner. Things won’t come to you immediately unless you’re some kind of superstar who can put their mind and body to anything! Wakeboarding is difficult for everyone at the start, but practise makes perfect. The more confidence you gain on the water, the better you’ll be in a few months down the line!
We hope you found our top 8 tips for beginner wakeboarders useful and we wish you all the best on your wakeboarding adventure. Click here to see our beginners wakeboards.