Ankle problems

[Huffy2k]

My son keeps spraining his ankles wakeboarding. He's a fairly advanced rider, able to do 180's, tantrums, backrolls, and lots of other tricks that I don't really understand (indies, shifties, grabs, half cabs, etc). Yesterday he sprained his ankle while trying to learn a front roll, last year he messed up his other ankle while he was practicing tantrums.

Is he just genetically predisposed to ankle sprains? He's got a good board (3ds) and good bindings (Parks) - is there anything else he can do in the future to help support the ankles while riding?

[MNSuperAir]

RE: Ankle problems

I remember reading something in Wakeboarding Mag about binding position and how it can cause knee and ankle injuries. Don't remember the specifics today but I will look into my old mag's and see what I can find.

[ZachR]

RE: Ankle problems

If the binding stance is too open or closed, that can lead to knee injuries. Does your son often come out of only one binding? A lot of times that can mess with ankles, as the entire board rotates then on one foot. If so, the bindings might not be the best fit. If he is hard, I can see how a binding with not so great ankle support could hurt him, but Parks are fairly high end bindings. They are very flexible, that is one of their selling points, so maybe they have too much give for your son. Some stiffer bindings might offer more support, but he might not like the feel as much.

[skiswm]

RE: Ankle problems

I remember back in my college sports med days, once you sprain an ankle it becomes easier and easier to sprain it from then on. You might want to look into how to properly wrap an ankle with tape, there should be websites all over the net. It's much like a concusion once you get one, each time it becomes easier and easier to get another one. Tape is fairly cheap, in my waterpolo days we'd even cheat and sometimes use duct tape in it's place, just make sure you get some "pre-wrap" to use first, this way when you cut off the tape it's easy. He may also have to build up his ankle strength through different exerscises and such. Talk with your Dr or see if they send you to someone else.

[Flux]

RE: Ankle problems

Be careful with the tape. While it's a good idea to tape the ankle for support, you can make it worse trying to get in and out of the bindings. I tried it once after I sprained my ankle and it was not good.

The New CWB bindings have a hinge that opens up, you could probably use tape if you had those bindings as they open pretty darn wide. You might also look into some really supportive bindings. I might suggest the Hyperlite Murrays, the CWB Zues or Factions, or Liquid Force Transits or Watsons.

I can't really say how the parks compare to the one's i have mentioned, but I know those are pretty stiff bindings.

[ZachR]

RE: Ankle problems

I have the Transits, and they are awesome. By far the best bindings I've ever ridden. I've tried the Watsons, and they are a bit too stiff for my taste.

[bradb]

RE: Ankle problems

A bunch of buddies I know use duct tape over top of athletic tape for inside their waterski bindings. It stays done up in the water, and slides in/out of bindings easier.
I have always had bad ankles, and I spend some time every morning on a wobble board (or indo board) to strengthen them and work on my balance. Seems to help strengthen them a bit.
I ride with the byerly bindings - they seem pretty stiff, and offer lots of ankle support. Like ZachR said, poorly fit bindings are ankle/foot breakers (I speak from experience!). You want snug but not tight fit. Any slop is not good.
Good luck,
Brad

[Hollywood]

RE: Ankle problems

So some LF Ultras wouldn't be a good idea for this kid huh?...

I rode them once and vowed never to again.

[ZachR]

RE: Ankle problems

Never tried them, I'm not a fan of pure overlay bindings, those are too stiff for me.