Please gimme your thoughts on this issue <BR> <BR>couple people on a particular websight are advocating how cool and safe it is to start wakesurfing by slipping off the swim platform instead of a deep-water start (inboard boat). <BR> <BR>I feel that it is totally unsafe, not cool and provides ammunition for the folks who want to ban or police wakesurfing. <BR> <BR>What do you think? Safe &amp; cool or candidates for Darwin awards?

I have seen riders start and finish on the swim platform. I don't know if it's safe or not. I won't let riders do a platform start in competitions that I'm involved with. <BR> <BR>I'm currently working on a City of Columbus Waterways subcommittee concerning wakeboard boat wakes and their impact to shore erosion, safety, and other users of the water. Other users include other boaters, fishermen, sculling rowers, and property owners. I don’t advocate starting or finishing on the swim platforms for no other reason than to have one less thing to have to explain.

Not legal in some states like California.

I did it once when I separated my sternum, but that was only because I was afraid that I'd re-injure myself trying to get up from a deep water start. In our boat when we are teaching new riders we let the rope out a couple notches. We want them as far away from the boat as possible. I think its asking for trouble out of beginners. As far as some one with experience I wouldn't volunteer my platform for their use.

if you like dinged up boards, and scratched up swim decks and transoms, by all means, do it. <IMG SRC="http://www.wakeworld.com/MB/Discus/clipart/happy.gif" ALT=":-)" BORDER=0>

We do it all the time! What is the danger? You have to lean back and shift your weight aft to come off the platform.. It's not like you can get the prop. You couldn't if you wanted to...

What if the boat stopped quickly as you were falling?

What if the boat stopped quickly at any time while you're surfing? That's never going to have positive results.

I have finished off riding on to the swim step, but never a start. My deck is teak so it doesn't get to beat up. But I agree we don't need any extra explaining to do to keep this sport legal.

I do it all the time. I don't see any added risk of injury.PLus you wont get lake water on your beer...