If you’re travelling somewhere warm for a vacation, then the chances are you’re going to come across a few watersports.
Whether that’s kitesurfers performing acrobatics off the coast or wakeboarders performing tricks on watersport-centric lakes, they are almost impossible to miss. And they’re sure to get your appetite whetted.
But hold on, we hear you protest, isn’t it really hard to stand up straight on a board surfing across the water at 25 kmph? Well, it isn’t easy, we’ll tell you that. But just because something is hard doesn’t mean you shouldn’t give it a go.
Wakeboarding, especially, is one of the most enjoyable sports out there. It is great for mental rejuvenation and muscle building, and it’s a load of fun once you get going. All you need is a few tips on how to get going, and we’re here to give them to you.
Below are 5 easy steps to start wakeboarding, ensuring that you’ll be comfortable on the water as quickly as possible:
Do Your Research
If you’re on vacation and you want to try out wakeboarding, the worst thing you can do is simply book a session without looking into it. As with anything, doing your research can give you an idea of what to expect, and can even implant some tactics and skills before you get out of the water.
The website Volcano Watersports has a load of insightful information in their blog, and there will be plenty of other avenues to explore on the web before getting started.
Get Accustomed To The Rope
The most important tool during wakeboarding is not the board, but the rope. If your rope is too long, then you’re going to find your first wakeboarding experience difficult to master. Make sure that you are using a shorter rope – around 30 to 50 feet – as this will put you in the narrow section of the wake, while also ensuring you can hear advice from an instructor.
Follow The Basics
If you’re out on the water and things are going well, it can be easy to fall into a false sense of security. But if you try to move across the wake too early, then you’ll be setting yourself up for a fall. Make sure to master the basics of wakeboarding first – keep your arms straight, keep the handle low to your hip, keep looking straight ahead, and simply let the boat pull you. This can also be done on land before you even get out onto the water.
Prepare For Disappointment
Another mistake that many beginners make – which subsequently puts them off the idea of the sport – is thinking that they will get it right the first time. But even the most experienced wakeboarders fell in the water around twenty times during their first session. No matter how hard you’ve prepared, this is going to be a learning process that takes time to master. So don’t get downhearted, don’t get discouraged, and keep getting back up on the board.
Have Fun!
The best advice we can give anyone trying out wakeboarding on vacation is to have fun. As referenced in the last point, it can be easy to feel frustrated and downhearted over failed attempts, but just remember that this sport is supposed to be fun. Enjoy every moment of it and you’ll find that, the more you enjoy it, the better at it you become.