Rope length

What would you guys recommend for someone who is going to be trying their first inverts and big spins at ? And also what do the pros put their ropes at ? Thanks

50' and most pros ride about 77'

Seriously most schools recommend learning new tricks short line and slow speed.

Originally Posted by Nordicron

50' and most pros ride about 77'

Seriously most schools recommend learning new tricks short line and slow speed.

What speed ?

Originally Posted by Zachstratt12

What speed ?

50'=18-19mph

77'= 23mph

For solid riders, we learn new tricks one wake at 65-70 feet and about 18 mph with the boat leaning to one side. Once it's landed one wake, we move it up to 65 and 21 mph.

For newbies learning to clear the wake for the first few times, we use the same method, with a stop at 50/55 feet and 19-20 mph.

Its boat specific as well. Some wakes are just wider than others.

My rule of thumb is to pick the speed you want to crash at, then match the line length so you cross just inside the break. For new tricks, the probability of crashing is higher so you drop the speed a little and shorten the line to match. It's hard to give a specific length because it varies by speed, hull, and ballast/weight.

Where you say "just inside the break", do you mean where the wake splits in to two?

On a short rope, I find passing so close in front where the wake splits really off putting.

Whilst crossing the wakes closer together makes obvious sense, everything seems more fluid and fun on a longer line.

Is it a case of giving it time to improve technique to get on to a slightly longer rope or are there specific things one can work on?


Thanks

Originally Posted by Hooya

Where you say "just inside the break", do you mean where the wake splits in to two?

By "just inside the break" I mean just barely closer to the boat than where the wake "breaks" and turns from a clean face to having a little white cap on the tip of the wake. Right in front (closer to the boat) of the break is where the wake has it's steepest peak and will give the best boost for jumpers. When learning, you can always shorten the rope as far inside (closer to the boat) as you want and the wakes get closer together and with a little less sharp a peak. Or if you like the "pace" you feel when on a longer rope, you can create some of the same feeling by shortening the rope, but decreasing the boat speed a little so the wake breaks right behind the rider again. This will allow you to learn a skill at the slowest speed possible - makes crashes less intense and dangerous.

Does the shorten the rope/lower the speed system work for raleys? I've never been able to pull the trigger on an attempt at full length/regular speed, but think I could muster the courage for one at 19 mph. (I'm 39, so I guess that's a somewhat valid excuse for my cowardice.)

Originally Posted by Orange

My rule of thumb is to pick the speed you want to crash at, then match the line length so you cross just inside the break. For new tricks, the probability of crashing is higher so you drop the speed a little and shorten the line to match. It's hard to give a specific length because it varies by speed, hull, and ballast/weight.

don't you just crash at 25 like you always ride and suck it up?

If you want to learn flips and rallies, go get a lesson before you try it on your own. Trust me it will be the best money you have ever spent on wakeboarding. They will clear up your rope length issues too.

Healthy, I ride 78ish @ 22.5mph behind a Sacked-out LSV.

Currently, and probably more applicable to someone learning fundamental inverts, I ride no ballast, 65ft @ 21.2 behind a 2015 LSV.

Originally Posted by Orange

By "just inside the break" I mean just barely closer to the boat than where the wake "breaks" and turns from a clean face to having a little white cap on the tip of the wake. Right in front (closer to the boat) of the break is where the wake has it's steepest peak and will give the best boost for jumpers. When learning, you can always shorten the rope as far inside (closer to the boat) as you want and the wakes get closer together and with a little less sharp a peak. Or if you like the "pace" you feel when on a longer rope, you can create some of the same feeling by shortening the rope, but decreasing the boat speed a little so the wake breaks right behind the rider again. This will allow you to learn a skill at the slowest speed possible - makes crashes less intense and dangerous.

Cheers