Barefoot How To

[lucky7t]

Last weekend a friend of mine visited and brought his wetsuit. We were in a cove and hanging out as he zipped it up, threw the rope in and said "lets barefoot". I could'nt believe it as I have never pulled a barefooter. he told me to just hit it and back off around 40MPH. So i set the zero off, brought the ramp knob to the top and let it rip. He deep water started backwards, turned around and wammm! he was up! I was shocked. he crossed the wake and then did a tumble turn and back up again as he waved at the oncoming boat. I about *&^% myself.

So....
I have been wakeboarding, wakeskating, kneeboarding etc... for years and would love to try. I don't want to buy a boom right now so whats your suggestions to give this a try? I have a wetsuit. Im 160 pounds. Speed?

1. Kneeboard? start (tell me how)
2. deep water start (tell me how)

[swc5150]

The easiest path would be off the kneeboard. Deepwater starts are no place for beginners. Simply turn your body around on the knee board so you can place your feet in the water. Then have the driver bring the speed up to around 40, and slowly stand up. The board will disappear from under you. It's not nearly as hard as you'd think.

[OKWAKEBDR]

He probably wasn't wearing a regular old wetsuit. He was probably wearing an actual barefoot suit.

I used to barefoot quite a bit, but I haven't done it in a while.

[scott resick]

I would NOT suggest a deepwater start with no boom experience. Even a kneeboard start can be a very dangerous way to learn. You are also going to need an experienced driver. If you absolutely cant wait for a boom, then put a cup in your wet suit for your boys, do some stretches and take a few pre epmtive asprin. I think a tube start would be better than a kneeboard. I have never tried either, but, the tube sounds easier. Sit on your tube holding your handle. DO NOT tie the tube to your boat. Sitting with your arse in the hole have your driver get the boat on plane and swinging you on the tube outside of the wake. When your out side have your driver nod when he is up to speed. @ 160 you could be pulled about 37-38 mph while learning. Once up to speed gently touch for feet on the water, overhand grip, shoulders square and elbows slightly bent. When your ready to stand up, put more pressure on your feet and lift the handle up, as if you were going to raise it to eye level. This will stand you up. IF you survive standing, keep your knees slightly bent and your feet at shoulder width. And for God sakes dont look down! Keep your eyes ahead. My best advise is to wait for your boom, and bring your friend back out with you.Its always fun to record barefoot lessons too, so post them if you do~!

[lucky7t]

The easiest path would be off the kneeboard. Deepwater starts are no place for beginners. Simply turn your body around on the knee board so you can place your feet in the water. Then have the driver bring the speed up to around 40, and slowly stand up. The board will disappear from under you. It's not nearly as hard as you'd think.

let me get this straight...
Start up on kneeboard backwards and then spin around? or just simply start up sitting down legs forward and then attempt fate?

My wife will be pulling me so if i can ill try to have her take a pic as im drowning lol...

[lucky7t]

He probably wasn't wearing a regular old wetsuit. He was probably wearing an actual barefoot suit.

I used to barefoot quite a bit, but I haven't done it in a while.

I have an actual barefoot suit and extra padded shorts as well. My friend gave them to me because he is now 50 pounds heavier.

[lucky7t]

What about these?
http://www.barefootcentral.com/bi-footskis.aspx

Anyone tried these yet?

[scott resick]

those are great for learning new tricks. Start on your feet and buy those when you advance.

[xlair]

I have to agree that trying to learn to foot longline with your wife driving is a recipe for disaster but if you do it please take video!

[jeepn]

the shoe skis allow you to work at much slower speeds. but i think they make just learning barefooting harder as they are so slick on the water. they do force you to learn better form though. What part of OK are you in lucky?

[LR3w8kbrdr]

I have to agree that trying to learn to foot longline with your wife driving is a recipe for disaster but if you do it please take video!

I really want to seethis video!!

I know how Ive eatin **** while trying deepwater starts and i had a very experienced driver. It was great, captured the video on the gopro! I just ended up moving to the boom to learn how to barefoot. U can prob pick up a used boom on the cheap.

[HS]

http://www.thefootersedge.com/

This guy (Lane Bowers) has a series of videos that teach barefooting. Just sign up and he'll send you a link to the video series (ya, he'll want you to buy some stuff, but he gives the videos away so its worth a few emails, and I have gotten no spam as a result).

He has related sites for teaching people how to ski or barefoot for the first time by employing the skills they teach for barefooting -- When I bought the Tower Boom from BI, Mike Seipel told me to look up 1hourslalom . com and it is a series of 4 videos I used to help teach my kids to ski and then WB from the boom. The teaching techniques absolutely worked for me. If you're serious about learning to barefoot, he is definitely a resource short of going to a clinic!

[bsb4fsu]

Please post a video. We can call it a learning experience for all. Good luck!

P.S. Starting on a kneeboard sounds like one of those moments when you think to yourself, "this could turn out bad".

[scott resick]

Here is another cool site. They have instructional videos for kids, but I use them for myself. The freestyle Vids are pretty sick too. http://www.barefootcentral.info/

[swc5150]

let me get this straight...
Start up on kneeboard backwards and then spin around? or just simply start up sitting down legs forward and then attempt fate?

My wife will be pulling me so if i can ill try to have her take a pic as im drowning lol...

Just get up on the kneeboard the way you normally would (I've done this countless times BTW). When you up and gowing, undo the knee strap and flip your body around so you're feet are facing the boat. That's when you can drop them in the water and speed up the boat. I should my 10 year nephew how to do it, and he popped up first try.