Advice in general?

[Msuspartan]

Whats up everyone...

New to the forum and new to the sport. After several years of wakeboarding, I think its time to give wakeskating a try. I'm thinking I'm going to find a cheap concave board to start off on and then once I get the hang of it, upgrade to a better board. So anyone have any general advice, whether it be pulling a trick, starting out of the water, or just general riding style, that would help a newbie like me or even a more experienced rider on this forum?

[David_Roehm]

First off welcome to wakeskating.com! If you want a good quality concave for a good price i would look at http://www.newwakeskates.com any of their concaves are excellent and their bi-level is a awesome price too.

[Raven]

"have fun with it" -GD

the newwakeskates really seems to be some sweet boards.

when you are riding, you really got to stay behind the board. Alotta times at first you get pulled over...........like my man big Snoop Dogg, keep it doggystyle, and stay behind that a$$!

[Msuspartan]

Thanks guys, those boards look pretty sweet!

Raven, from the videos I have seen online, there are a couple big differences from wakeboarding, such as staying further behind the board and being sure not to completely straighten your legs when going w2w.

[skimboarder]

[electricsnow]

I actually wouldn't even worry about going wake to wake at this point. I'd focus more on board control and learning how to ride a board that you are not connected to. You will need more board control for this and the basics are extremely important...when it comes down to it, you cannot land "off" or really get around some of the basics as easily as you could with wakeboarding (because you are attached).

Just try to find your balance--start out with lipslides, frontside boardslides--learn to slide the wake in both directions. also start to figure out your ollies, because you can't just do a standing broad jump...form and technique are really important. You're going to snap with your back foot and level the board with your front foot.

Plus, if you build your fundamentals in a proper fashion, not only will they act as building blocks and hopefully ease your transitions from trick to trick, but so long as you are riding within your ability level, it should HOPEFULLY make injuries less likely. Ultimately, you really have to respect the board you are riding. it is water...but water can chickity china the chinese chicken you up!!! (hahaha--for real though, I'm sure you're aware of shaun's knee injury and scott's knee injury--both of those were from one footed landings on a wakeskate.)

Anyway, have fun. Wakeskating is one of the most rewarding things I've ever done because it does not come easily...most tricks I've learned required a lot of work, but it's also been a lot more gratifying for me than wakeboarding (even though I've got some great memories from that as well).

[Msuspartan]

ElectricSnow,

Thanks for all the advice! By no means do I plan on trying W2W right away! I just thought that was a basic difference between the two and position witht he board. Definitely plan on starting with the basics and work my way up. I figure it'll be ATLEAST a couple days before im pulling 360 w2ws!! J/k! I'll be lucky to be pulling the most basic tricks by the end of the summer!

[cheapskate]

Msuspartan, Be careful wakeskate can tend to be VERY addicting Welcome

[fastgreens]

[erikmonty]

take baby steps...it pays of to learn everything slower and step by step when you start to throw more complicated trick combos (backbigs, frontsideflips etc.) most importantly have fun...cause if your not...theres really no point then is there