tantrums/ closing eyes?

started to throw tantrums, having a problem keeping my eyes open? I slowed the boat down to 20 mph and started throwing them. I get the rotation, but cant seem to see where I am going? Any tips for this problem? Also, major ankle crunches on some of the landings, or somewhat landings.
thanks,
Mike

Open your eyes

Mike,

Couple questions for you, that might help others answer your post...

Why did you slow the boat down? Are you coming up short, going from wake to wake? What's making the ankles crush?

I'm not the most consistent tantrum'er, but I'd say that you need to pick your speed back up, cut harder, and try to take your flip straight up, and not out(most common error). I don't spot my landings until I'm about 75% of the way through the rotation... But that could be why I'm not so consistent.
-Blake

Yeah...I'd like to know how the ankle crunches...

What the trick to taking them up instead of out?

Jessica,

I was trying to push myself across the wake as I did my tantrum, which lead to under-rotated, low height tantrums. You can land them doing it that way, but it's much easier if you take it up, and not out.

I was told to take my backflip up, and try to land in the same spot I took off from. This makes you concentrate on getting the height you need. You're probably thinking that you won't take it W2W... But, as long as you come in hard enough, you will (your momentum will carry you across). The result is a huge W2W Tantrum... They feel much easier to me when I try it this way. Hope that helps.

-Blake

This is what I read about taking it up, and not out. Maybe it's a little clearer. The whole write-up is actually on the instructional list on this site. I'll post the address below, as well.

"Once you are at the very top of the wake, lift off. You want to take this trick up, not out. The trick should feel like you are just jumping straight up and landing in the same spot, but, of course, you won't land in the same spot because the speed and momentum you built up from your cut into the wake will carry you over both wakes."

http://www.wakeworld.com/Tricklist/TrickTip006.asp

-Blake

(Message edited by blake_hughes on August 26, 2004)

Blake,
I normally ride at 23mph on pp, but slowed the boat down for a more vert ramp, thought it would help? Ankle crunchers, when you land somewhat horizontal?
I will try to think pop straight up and take it from there? I always thought to throw it backwards after the pop? hence the horizontal landings.
Mike

I have been doing tantrums for about a year now and they are my most consistant trick out of anything. I also close my eyes on the first part around. But i quickly open them back up once i fell myself coming down. The thing that helped me learn how to spin faster is to try and grab indy. Even if you dont get the grab it forces you to ball up and spin fast. Also make sure right when you open your eyes you start bringing the rope to your lead hip if not you will land horizontal. I wouldnt suggest slowing the boat down, you are more likely to lose tension on the line that way. And tension is very important for a tantrum. Try and get a video to put on here. Good Luck

Mike,

Try to take the flip up, and not out... I think you'll nail it, or be very close to nailing it. If slowing down helped, stick with it. Try not to make too many changes, you might end up making it harder than it really is.

-Blake