Big guy learning to surf needs help

[MTRBTR]

George, when you go sliding towards the platform be careful not to over compensate. As soon as you get some weight on that back foot, you will slow down faster than you think so be ready to go back to your front. The weight movement from foot to foot is constant. As you get better you won’t have to think about it anymore. You are not too big, you will get this don’t get discouraged! ( or you could scrap the whole thing and get into slalom and barefoot which is way more fun)

[greggmck]

Went out again tonight. I don't have any video this time but the issues still persist. I actually hadn't read the latest posts on here and the weather was getting bad so I didn't have much time. I will try some of th esuggestions you all have given tomorrow. I still feel I lose all my speed when I get close to the boat. I get the feeling like I'm going to hit the swim deck so I lean back to slow down then I can't regain enough speed to keep my forward momentum so I sink. Anyways, question...is it possible I"m too big for this boat without some extra lead or sacks in the back for ballast? Like I said before I'm 300 lbs. I know these are the best of the best for wakesurfing but maybe I'm too big to be able to let go.

George, if you are loosing all your speed as you approach the swim platform you are over REACTING to the wave and not ANTICIPATING your speed. You are not too large. I have surfed with another 130 lb person on the same board (I'm 180) behind my G and I could ride all day. You have to develop the skill to anticipate your speed and avoid reacting too late. This just takes time and experience. In this video there are lots of tips that will help you stay on the wave. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HWUq89-KqLs

Another tip is to try to surf in a tail wind if you have the option. This can making learning much easier. The key is to do minor adjustments to stay in the pocket BEFORE it is too late.

Good luck!

[PapaBear]

I may be way off base as I’m a fellow novice who just dropped the rope last week after finally getting my boat setup right...That said, looking at the last video, it looks like you keep trying to pull yourself into position way up toward the top of the wave, toward the center of the boat. From my limited experience, there’s not a whole lot of push there. I’ve found that the most push is further back and out on the wave, usually right in line with the gunwale/edge of the boat. I would think trying to settle back into the pocket there would be more stable and have better push. I’m happy to shut up if others think I’m crazy.


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[PapaBear]

I may be way off base as I’m a fellow novice who just dropped the rope last week after finally getting my boat setup right...That said, looking at the last video, it looks like you keep trying to pull yourself into position way up toward the top of the wave, toward the center of the boat. From my limited experience, there’s not a whole lot of push there. I’ve found that the most push is further back and out on the wave, usually right in line with the gunwale/edge of the boat. I would think trying to settle back into the pocket there would be more stable and have better push. I’m happy to shut up if others think I’m crazy.


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[lucky7t]

Went out again tonight. I don't have any video this time but the issues still persist. I actually hadn't read the latest posts on here and the weather was getting bad so I didn't have much time. I will try some of th esuggestions you all have given tomorrow. I still feel I lose all my speed when I get close to the boat. I get the feeling like I'm going to hit the swim deck so I lean back to slow down then I can't regain enough speed to keep my forward momentum so I sink. Anyways, question...is it possible I"m too big for this boat without some extra lead or sacks in the back for ballast? Like I said before I'm 300 lbs. I know these are the best of the best for wakesurfing but maybe I'm too big to be able to let go.

Move in very small increments . Your not too big to surf . Lean into the wave toes closer to edge of board use your hands just relax . You can do this


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[Gschofield62]

Here are a few more videos. I am able to let go of rope now. Getting the hang of it but still need help with my technique.

https://youtu.be/ZC8gfAtIHFk
https://youtu.be/VtRi31Rhd94


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[xxrb2010]

As soon as your are up and settled, let the rope goes. Ropes are dangerous when surfing, if it get tangled on you when you fall. I know this is annoying to fall 5 seconds after letting the rope go, but it is better than getting hurt really bad. I see too many people keeping the rope for too long. This is the first thing I learned when I took some surf lessons by two different teachers. By the way, both teachers had helpers to pull the rope from you really fast when you fall at the beginning.

[Gschofield62]

As soon as your are up and settled, let the rope goes. Ropes are dangerous when surfing, if it get tangled on you when you fall. I know this is annoying to fall 5 seconds after letting the rope go, but it is better than getting hurt really bad. I see too many people keeping the rope for too long. This is the first thing I learned when I took some surf lessons by two different teachers. By the way, both teachers had helpers to pull the rope from you really fast when you fall at the beginning.

I completely agree and I have worried about this with my kids and nephews. I I'm trying to get them to get rid of it as soon as possible as well. Two of my sons have started double surfing where one of them is a little further back than the other. I put a stop to it when I realized that if the rear person wiped out first there was a longer rope dangling in the water right next to the writer still up. I don't mind turning around 15 times a minute if I have to to save someone's limb. Or Worse their life.

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[greggmck]

As soon as your are up and settled, let the rope goes. Ropes are dangerous when surfing, if it get tangled on you when you fall. I know this is annoying to fall 5 seconds after letting the rope go, but it is better than getting hurt really bad. I see too many people keeping the rope for too long. This is the first thing I learned when I took some surf lessons by two different teachers. By the way, both teachers had helpers to pull the rope from you really fast when you fall at the beginning.

Or at least hold the rope only with your front hand. Never your rear hand. Holding with your rear hand makes surfing more difficult because it opens up your body to the boat. And with that rope behind you, you have a real risk of getting tangled in it when you fall.

Imagine tying a rope to the bumper of a car. Put that car and you on top of a 10 story building. Wrap the rope around any appendage. Now push the car off of the roof. Yes, that what it will feel like if you get tangled in the rope. It is no joke...

Have your observer pull the rope in and loop it shorter so you can hold it only in your front hand with less slack. Your surfing will improve significantly...

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[xxrb2010]

Or at least hold the rope only with your front hand. Never your rear hand. Holding with your rear hand makes surfing more difficult because it opens up your body to the boat. And with that rope behind you, you have a real risk of getting tangled in it when you fall.

Imagine tying a rope to the bumper of a car. Put that car and you on top of a 10 story building. Wrap the rope around any appendage. Now push the car off of the roof. Yes, that what it will feel like if you get tangled in the rope. It is no joke...

Have your observer pull the rope in and loop it shorter so you can hold it only in your front hand with less slack. Your surfing will improve significantly...

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spot on the money

[cptotr]

Went out again tonight. I don't have any video this time but the issues still persist. I actually hadn't read the latest posts on here and the weather was getting bad so I didn't have much time. I will try some of th esuggestions you all have given tomorrow. I still feel I lose all my speed when I get close to the boat. I get the feeling like I'm going to hit the swim deck so I lean back to slow down then I can't regain enough speed to keep my forward momentum so I sink. Anyways, question...is it possible I"m too big for this boat without some extra lead or sacks in the back for ballast? Like I said before I'm 300 lbs. I know these are the best of the best for wakesurfing but maybe I'm too big to be able to let go.

If you think you are too big to surf without the rope, just go to wake9.com and watch some of their videos. That should mitigate any concerns you have of being too big. It’s a feeling you’ll get with practice. Gregg has given many good tips and pointers to help get you there. Good luck and keep working at it.


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[210Surfer]

Great job! You got it! Now it’s just a matter of getting comfortable and relaxing. Make sure your back foot is on top of the rear fins, not behind them. This will give you better mobility and reduce some of the overcorrection on the brake foot. Also, square your chest up to the wave more. Your front foot should be perpendicular to the board, not pointing toward the tip. This will give you better control and drive. Now that you have the basics of gas foot/brake foot, start trying to use the side to side (heel side to toe side) action of the board to drive forward. The fins provide drive as well, so the side to side action will drive the board forward and add some style to your riding. Plus it will set you up to start learning to do solid bottom turns and tricks off the lip of the wave.

Last, and I know this sounds funny, but listen to reggae instead of metal. When I was teaching my son, he wanted to listen to fast paced pop and EDM. He stayed tense and “attacked” the wave. I put on some reggae and told him to chill out and just go with the rhythm of the music. He immediately relaxed and started having more fun. Now he’s better than me, pulling off spins like a pro! Sounds silly, but try it and don’t forget to smile.


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[210Surfer]

Also, my profile pic is about 8 years ago with him on my shoulders. I was about 180 with his 40 lbs added. Old tech board behind a seriously underweighted ‘03 210. Size and boat isn’t the issue. Just have fun while your learning. You already look way better than your first couple of videos. You’ll be ripping in no time!


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[greggmck]

Another rope injury caused by holding the rope with the back hand!

https://www.instagram.com/p/BzqcDHKB...=114pusv0c9ryv

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[xxrb2010]

ouch, hopefully, it did not cut the arm.