HOW TO

WA K E BOARD

8 SIMPLE STEPS
MAXX WADE

HOW TO
WAKEBOARD
8 SI MPL E STEPS
BY

MAXX WADE

Rope Lengths
55 | 60 | 65 | 70 | 75 | 80 | 85

CORRECT EQUIPMENT
One important step that is often overlooked when trying to wakeboard for the first
time, is selecting the right size of wakeboard. Wakeboards are measured from tip
to tail in centimeters and are sized by weight, as board size increases, so does
the weight limit a board can hold. Refer to an a wakeboard sizing chart on a water sports retailer website or look at the online catalog provided by the manufacturer. Bindings should also fit snug, in order to be comfortable and responsive.
Rope length can also be another common overlooked factor for beginners. For
first time riders, it is usually better to use a rope that is a shorter length, keeping them closer to the boat. Recommended rope length for beginners can be
anywhere from 55 feet to 65 feet. Keeping first time riders closer to the boat can
make getting up much easier, while also limiting how far outside of the wake they
can go.

Length(cm)
130

135

140

145

Wakeboarding Sizing Chart

Rocker Style/Height
Stance Options
ABRUPT CONTINUOUS- 2.5 21-25
ABRUPT CONTINUOUS- 2.6 22-26
ABRUPT CONTINUOUS- 2.7 22-26
ABRUPT CONTINUOUS- 2.5 22-26

Weight Range
UP TO 155 LBS.
145 LBS. AND UP
160 LBS. AND UP
165 LBS. AND UP

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HOW TO GET UP
When trying to get up on a wakeboard for the first time, body posture and arm/
handle position are crucial. Your knees should be bent so you are in a seated
position, like when in a chair, except the chair is tilted back at a 45 degree angle.
Keep your arms slightly bent and place the handle in between your knees. When
the boat starts to pull you forward, you have to push hard with both feet and simply stand up like you would getting up out of a chair.
Make sure you hang on tight to the handle as well. Once the board has surfaced
on top of the water your feet will both be in front of you, now is when you want to
switch your feet so you will either be riding left foot forward or right foot forward.
Your dominant foot that you would kick a ball with is typically the foot that is behind your lead foot in order to control turns.

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BASIC POSTURE/TURNS
Body posture is very important when learning how to successfully ride. You
want to be slightly leaning back with your back relatively straight, with a bit more
weight on your back foot. Your arms should be slightly bent, holding the handle at
a comfortable height. You want to make sure to keep the handle in front of your
front hip for the most success. Making turns on the surface involves edging down
into the water to turn you one direction or the other.
Heelside cuts involve edging the side of the board behind both of your heels
into the water, these cuts are easier. Toeside cuts involve edging the side of the
board in front of your toes into the water, these tend to be more difficult. To make
this easier, focus on edging in with your toes and pulling the handle to the opposite side of your hip and by leaning the direction that you are trying to turn while
standing tall with the correct posture.

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SURFACE TRICKS
Surface ticks allow you to become more comfortable on a wakeboard and create a foundation for future tricks. One of the first tricks to attempt is a butterslide,
which is done by placing the board in front of you with both feet out in front of
you. Attempt this at a lower speed to avoid injury. It is easier to get slightly outside of the wake so your toes are next to the wake. Simply focus on turning your
hips and feet so they go in front of you, while edging in on your heels once you
have done so.
A surface 180 is also critical to progressing. If you are riding left foot forward, simply switch your feet and hips until your right foot is out in front of you. Remember
to keep the correct posture, riding switch is more difficult because everything is
backwards of how you have learned. Practice riding switch to get more comfortable on your board. This will come in handy when your riding progresses.

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POPPING OFF WAKE
In order to catch air, you need to start out small and gradually progress. Start 3-4
feet outside of the wake so the wake is on your heelside. Make a solid cut and
hold your edge through the peak of the wake. Gradually start to cut a little harder
from that same distance and once you pop higher, start to go a couple feet further outside of the wake. As you feel more comfortable, start to make longer and
harder cuts.
When you are comfortably popping off of the wake from 8-10 feet, try edging a
bit harder every time, while also focusing on standing tall at the last second when
you reach the peak of the wake. By extending your legs straight and pulling the
handle to your front hip at that last second, you will pop off of the wake more.
Dont forget to bend your knees when you land from popping, absorbing the impact. Practice makes perfect, so be sure to start small and work your way up.

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FALLING CORRECTLY
Beginners are going to fall often. Learning how to fall properly can help you avoid
injury. It is always safer to pull beginners at a slower speed, ranging anywhere
from 13-20 MPH. When trying to avoid injury when falling, the biggest concern is
to never let the front tip of your board go under the water, this will cause you to
slam into the water head first.
Beginners will need to learn when to let go to avoid injury. If youre landing a
jump and you are losing control, let go of the handle. If the board gets out in front
of you, make sure your front edge does not catch because this will cause you to
slam forward as well. Sometimes when falling it helps to tuck your head before
impact, to avoid hitting the water face first. Also make sure that you do not let the
board come up close to your head when falling.

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GRABS IN THE AIR
There are many grabs to perform while in the air. The most common first grab to
attempt is the Indy grab, in between your feet on the toeside of the board. While
in the air make sure to bend your knees and bring them up to your chest in order
to bring the board closer to you, making it easier to grab. You can also grab in
between your feet on the heelside of the board, this is a bit more challenging. A
tail grab can be done by grabbing the tail of the board, which is the farthest away
from the boat.
Another aspect to grabbing is tweaking a grab. Tweaking a grab is done by
straightening one leg completely while making a grab. This adds more style and
difficulty to grabs, rather than simply reaching down and touching the board. Get
creative with grabs by grabbing in unique spots and tweaking differently. Watching videos of professional riders will also help you get a sense of grabs and style.

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SPINNING IN THE AIR
As you progress, spinning while in the air is a great thing to be able to add to
your book of tricks. A frontside 180 is generally the first spin to attempt. First you
need to make sure you are comfortable riding switch. When you land the 180 you
will land switch and will have to continue to ride in the direction you were edging
before popping.
Make sure you get a solid pop off of the wake and while your in the air, switch
your feet and hips so you will land with your opposite foot forward.
When you land, be sure to point your board in the direction of the initial cut and
continue to travel in that direction. Once you are comfortable with a 180 you can
try a 360. This requires you to rotate your board 3600, while passing the handle
behind your back. Get familiar with a surface 360 and the motion of passing the
handle behind your back before attempting.

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