I will be getting a barefoot boom shortly, but am curious how fast I need to be going, I weigh 175lbs and am a very experienced waterskier/wakeboarder. Thanks for any help!

Stolen from the web, because I am lazy. <BR> <BR>Ideal Barefoot Speed <BR> <BR>The old rule of thumb is: <BR> <BR> Your weight divided by 10 + 20 <BR> <BR>Since I weigh 160 lbs: <BR> <BR> 160 / 10 = 16 + 20 = 36 MPH <BR> <BR>This is just a general rule so you will need to experiment with whatever speed works best for you (the size of your feet can make a difference too). As you progress, you will probably want to go faster since the water feels much harder and easier to "stand" on at higher speeds. A few MPH makes a big difference! However, the falls are harder too so don't get too drastic with higher speeds!

you can go slower than this directly on the boom and should at first...try about 33 or 34, do you know what way you want to try it first? <BR>tumble up? sit on a wakeboard or kneeboard? <BR>just remember put the boom up as high as you can, and DO NOT LET GO of the boom, if your feet catch, hang on to the boom and spin back up set your feet down lightly with knees bent

just keep thinking your moses and you will do ok

It is a lot of fun. Makes for some great laughs and great pics. The best spot to watch from is in the front.

Uh, my 13 years of neck pain, discomfort, medications, physical therapy, and medical bills would suggest that you NOT follow bftskir's advice to hang on to the handle if you fall. Trust me, it ain't worth it.

bftskier said to hang on to the boom,not the handle.Its safe to hang onto the boom.Your only half in the water if that,then tumble up. <BR>No big deal. <BR>Go look at barefoot tips Its all right there.

I started barefooting about 16 years ago. learned coming off of a kneeboard, but think it's easiest to step off of a ski. I've done it everyway possible, including starting deepwater off of a 15' high dock. if you can get an older ski that has a front adjustable boot, slide it all the way out and stand on the back part of the boot with your foot secure in the front part of the front boot. make sure you are outside the wake. Also, if you can find a good driver, it's easiest to step off of the ski going around a turn as you are whipping outside (you also need the room for a wide turn). I used to barefoot at 32 @ 155, now I go at 35 at 180.

If stepping off a ski was easer then they would still be teaching that. <BR>I can teach a deepwater start easer then a stepoff.Not sure about your lake but If I leave a ski in the water,I get a ticket.Even the kneeboard start is easer then a stepoff. <BR>Dont even try to step off a ski.You will eat S--- big time. <BR>I think I explained the whole thing in the barefoot pics thread. <BR>Barefooting is actually easy if you learn right.The sport has had a bad rep for injuries.Sence they figured out the deepwater start and started using the boom for training and got away from stepoffs,the sport has gotten easer.

if you want to see an example of what happens when you stand up too soon then here it is. <BR> <BR><a href="http://photos-d.ak.facebook.com/photos-ak-sf2p/v75/140/45/501093912/n501093912_65735_2214.jpg" target="_blank">http://photos-d.ak.facebook.com/photos-ak-sf2p/v75/140/45/501093912/n501093912_65735_2214.jpg</a>

Just learn to deepwater start. It's not that hard and you don't have to go back and pickup the ski/kneeboard. Plus all that stuff takes up valuable cooler space in the boat.

<a href="http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=232537439988132083" target="_blank">http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=232537439988132083</a> <BR>Its not that hard,just do this.