boat to cable transition

I've been wanting to head to the KC area and hit the cable park for awhile, but my only experience is behind a boat with nothing but the wake. For those of you who do both, what type of transition should I expect? How is a cable pull different from a boat when it comes to riding style? Like I said, I've never hit anything solid, what are ya'lls thoughts on hitting kickers and sliders for the first time? Any and all thoughts, concerns, and comments are welcome.

The transition is real easy. The corners will suprise you at first. Too far on the inside, you get slack and then yanked when it tightens. Too far on the outside and you may get jerked right over the front of your board. Ask the cable operator, then usually have bouys you go between.

The sliders are a breeze. Cut to the slider, then right before you hit it square up and get your weight balanced over the board. Most people are afraid of the board hitting resistance on the slider and lean back a bit. There will be no resistance and your board will fly up and you will land on your a$$. Sometimes it's even best to have your weight a bit forward.

The cable works a totally different group of muscles...I assume from the angle of the rope. Just ride the flats to start, get the feel heel and toe, and switch, then start hitting the smaller slider and ramps. The big ramp, I started out just angleing off the sides to get a feel. They should have at least one smaller, wide slider, like the Picnic table at OWC so try that one first. Once your on it, just keep enough tension on the handle to keep you moving across it....if you pull as hard as you do on water, you will slide out. They're pretty easy after a few passes.
This is the Picnic table at OWC last weekend....look for one like that first.


(Message edited by foxrepdc on August 18, 2006)

Good advice.. Fresh new question! Dock starts are fun and so much easier behind the cable. The sliders are slick and provide no resistence really at all. The corners require you to go through one before you understand.

Also you'll be riding at slower speeds and with no wake it means you can literally ride around the park sideways if you want (ive done it). You'll think to yourself, "Self! I think i'm just gonna go round and round and round and never fall or stop". Think again! That slower speed puts so much strain on ya that after a few passes around your ready to let go, fall, and start over.

hey sweet, thanks for the tips guys. another question, whats the procedure for when you fall? with a boat the procedure is pretty obvious, but what happens on the cable park? do i have to swim to shore? i'm sure this is a stupid question to those who have gone, but i'm very clueless.

i have never seen a cable in person just some real short clips on vids... how does it work?? once you fall does it come back or does someone pick you up?? prolly a stupid question but i was just wondering thanks

Jon, when you fall you take your board off and swim to shore or a dock and walk back. Make sure you don't get nailed by the person coming up behind you though.

Paul, cable parks can go up to 40 mph. Most are set at 21. I don't think that's a whole lot slower than what speed you would ride on boat.

Jon, it's a cable with the carriers that go around the cable track. When you fall you have to get out and walk back to the starting dock. You hold onto the rope at the dock, a carrier will come by, pick up your rope and off you go. If you're interested in cable wakeboarding this site will tell you everything you need to know.

www.cablewakeboarding.com

my first corner i sketched out and took the hardest faceplant i think is possible

The cable is unbeatable for racking up time on the water and working on moves like riding switch, surface spins with handle passes and board control. Falling on the far side means a long walk back to the starting dock but you will still spend a ton more time being pulled than any session you've had behind the boat. You will be much happier if you can get in and out of your bindings easily to save energy. The falls on the sliders are usually not as bad as they look but you'll be glad they make you wear a helmet. Also, like Zack mentions, its easy to get comfortable with the smooth water and catch an edge when not paying attention and taking some good hits. The vibe at cable parks reminds me of skateparks where you have some very minor localism but most people are very cool and happy to help. Good luck