Getting better?

Outside of riding all the time what are some of the things you have noticed help you progress? My riding isn't stagnant I am moving forward and I ride with guys who are way better then me on a regular basis but I just don't feel like I am getting that much better. I am in no way comparing myself to these guys since they are way up there but it seems like some people progress much faster then others. I already live in sunny orlando on a lake and ride at least 2-3 days a week.

trampoline time and video instruction.. create memory muscle by repeatedly watching "the book" or other instructional platforms and if you have access to a tramp, tie off handle to nearby tree/pole and practice inverts and spins.. most importantly don't be so afraid of getting hurt, sometimes you have to "charge" a little to overcome that fear threshold for attempting some new tricks/inverts.. by watching instructional videos and practicing on land you will alleviate some of that fear by knowing how to attempt all correctly when on the water.. good luck!

take a day to work on BASICS. basics are key to progressing your riding. When I started out, I just wanted to flip. I learned backrolls, tantrums, scarecrows, etc. Problem was, I could barely 180. Ride switch a lot. Everything you can do normally, learn it switch. If you can...do tricks that you know you may fall on (sometimes it can be hard if you're on someone else's boat and you don't want them to keep having to swing around and pick you up all the time). my .02

Tramp Skills- You can work on all your flips, practicing spins anything you can possibly think of practice it on a tramp.

You could also get a Balance Board like an Indo Board. They work for making your balance so much better. It is also a great way to stay in shape.

Thats all that a basically do.

I second the trampoline, but you have to make sure you are doing everything right, otherewise you are practicing to do it the wrong way and thats just no good. personally I can't flip on anything period, but having a trampoline helps because I just break up the flip into two halfs, bounce 1/2 flip, bounce, rest of flip. its because of that I almost landed my first scarcrow attempt.

how do you bounce a half of a flip...wouldn't that mean landing on your head

???? I have been reading about tramps for sometime on this site, now since my boys have one, I need to know about the practice part that I can do. I have every thing down that I need to get started but.....Do I practice barefoot or with a board and bindings? I have an old set up that would be perfect if needed.

don't use a board, you can injure yourself pretty bad...they have special ones that you can get that are all squishy and foamy...but I don't think you need it. I don't

lift weight, but use free weights. Helps strengthen all your proprioceptor muscles, which are kind of like your almost involuntary little balance muscles. It also gets you in shape so you can stay out there longer and land more stuff.

i use yoga socks on our tramp and it seems to grip the surface very well... very inexpensive.

Second the basics. Most times people get stuck because they lack the basics; especially if your riding with people well above your skill level. No one wants to go out there and learn switch 1 wake jumps when your homies are ripping. But you know what? They had to do the same at some point. If you still feel self concious about it take a doubles set to work on the basics with a buddy. You want that TS 3? Can you stick a switch hs bs 180? Same applies to a crow mobe.... you get the idea. Plus what looks cooler than a grabbed hs bs 180 right into a switch grabbed hs bs 180?

Thanks for the input. I have all of these training devices tramp, balance board, videos and I think going back to basics and strengthing my base will help the most but like mentioned no one wants to do that. Will be a good way to spend a high gas price summer though.

Travis, I gues its 25% [land on back] complete remaining 75%. Thats the reason I do half flips, went on a trampoline, never done a backflip, tried one fist bounce, landed on my head, couldn't move my head [without excrusiating pain] for 2 weeks. Im reluctant to try another flip.