I've been getting air like this: When the top of my board is almost over the wake I put my legs straight (approach the wake with them bent). But I heard that you can just keep your legs straight the whole time and keeping the rope tight and at your waist and then pop! It sounds so effortless and easy, does it really work? I'm going boating tomorrow so I'll find out for my self so I guess really my question is which works better for bigger better air? And.. Is it possible to do the latter with no tower or pylon?

Squating works better for bigger air. Loading the line and standing tall at the right time will give you better pop.

isn't a jumping and a pop the same thing?

I find that coming into the wake with about a 90 degree bend in your knees gives the best combination between edge strength, and power to kick off the wake with your legs. <BR> <BR>But you can use a ton of edge, and very little kick against the wake and get air, or you could use a lot of crouch and kick off the wake, with not as much edge, its up to you.

to get a lot of air, you have to pop when you get to the wake. Pop: push your legs down