My first ride

(leetke) · (leetke) **Join Date: Jul 2007** 07-05-2007, 5:47 PM

Sooo, I wanted to start wakeboarding at 32...why the he!! not. Did some research, bought a board, and read a lot on this forum about how to ride. SWEET, I can ride...can't wait to get better!!!

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(fulltilt429) · (fulltilt429) **Join Date: Apr 2007** 07-05-2007, 6:03 PM

Advice: get that handle lower, and lose the skier grip (and the ski gloves). Thumbs to thumbs, you wont like that skier grip when you start progressing.
just my .02, other than that looks good, and keep at it.

(leetke) · (leetke) **Join Date: Jul 2007** 07-05-2007, 6:31 PM

Thanks Jimmy...funny you say that. The gloves are b/c I play tennis which keeps my hands raw and I'm a big boy to pull out of the water. Not being able to get up at first KILLED my hands. Since I can get up every time now I can lose the gloves. The skier grip was b/c I was running REALLY low on juice...was the end of the day (did read a quote from here "lose the baseball grip slugger". Thought that was funny.

As far as the handle lower...should I keep it closer to my hip??? Also, what are some fairly easy tricks to start with (besides learning to ride from either foot forward)? I think this is going to be addicting for me.

(leetke) · (leetke) **Join Date: Jul 2007** 07-05-2007, 6:33 PM

Oh, but one other question...what is the problem with the gloves? Just not enough feel or something???

(njskier) · (njskier) **Join Date: Jul 2005** 07-05-2007, 7:06 PM

Good job Lee! I started boarding when I was 40, but I've been skiing since 8 y.o.

How fast is the boat going in your pics, looks a bit slow. Try bumping the speed up to at least 20, your board won't "plow" the water as much and it's easier on the hands too.

Yep, lose the gloves. :-)

(wakeriderixi) · (wakeriderixi) **Join Date: Jan 2004** 07-05-2007, 7:23 PM

Keep the handle on your lead hip. Start by slowing down to around 18mph and moving the handle from lead hip to rear hip (surface 180) while being sure you keep the lead edge of your board from going under the water. Once your comfortable with that start going 360 and boardsliding the lip of the wake.

Congrats!

kidrik 07-05-2007, 7:27 PM

Congrats Lee.........! I started at 37, and a knee surgery.....! You're never too old baby!

Keep at it, and you'll progress quickly.

OH.........and lose the gloves!

I wish I started younger......but not a damn thing we can do about that now.......but ride!

Good luck!

(leetke) · (leetke) **Join Date: Jul 2007** 07-05-2007, 7:30 PM

Dave...yeah, it's my boat so the driver is getting used to it..think we were anywhere between 16-23mph. I grew up behind a boat so I'm getting them used to it. Just happy to find some other people around here interested in it...no fun by yourself.

Paul...thanks for the tips. As soon as I got up I wanted to do something...I don't mind assin' out as long as I'm having fun. I'll give it a shot Sat...sure it will be interesting :-)

(leetke) · (leetke) **Join Date: Jul 2007** 07-05-2007, 7:32 PM

OK, what's up with the gloves? Is it just "not cool" to wear them? I need to know these things!!!

(wakeboardmatt) · (wakeboardmatt) **Join Date: Jun 2007** 07-05-2007, 8:05 PM

lol no one tell him

Just loose the gloves

(pottsy) · (pottsy) **Join Date: Jul 2006** 07-05-2007, 8:12 PM

Well, a lot of people say it isn't cool to wear them. I used to wear them until i started learning spins and i took them off then because it could feel the handle passes better without them.

Good luck on the progression!

(wakeboardmatt) · (wakeboardmatt) **Join Date: Jun 2007** 07-05-2007, 8:16 PM

you blew it pottsy

(leetke) · (leetke) **Join Date: Jul 2007** 07-06-2007, 5:02 AM

Ha ha, the gloves are GONE!!! I really don't want to be "that guy"!!! Anything else I should know to keep me from being a dork???

(helix_rider) · (helix_rider) **Join Date: Mar 2003** 07-06-2007, 5:17 AM

When you get up, very soon thereafter pull down your shorts if they rode up on you. Nothing ruins a picture like nasty 'white as the snow' semi-hairy legs.

IMO, as you start to try tricks, you'll want some protection for the fellas. I wear compression shorts under my boardshorts, or you could buy the awesome but $$$ boardshorts that have the neoprene liner in them already.

Keep at it...I started at 27 and it has become an addiction.

(leetke) · (leetke) **Join Date: Jul 2007** 07-06-2007, 5:56 AM

Thanks Loren...def don't want to kill the "nuggets"!!!

(kmcginty) · (kmcginty) **Join Date: Sep 2005** 07-06-2007, 7:59 AM

Your giving away my best kept secret Loren

(garret_s) · (garret_s) **Join Date: Apr 2006** 07-06-2007, 8:12 AM

Don't wear sunglasses when you ride. Yes, I actually saw this once.

(charman) · (charman) **Join Date: Aug 2006** 07-06-2007, 8:37 AM

ride switch just as much as you ride regular!