New guy here.

I’ve been reading on this site the last few days and I decided I need to give wakeboarding a try. My new board came in today, 07 Hyperlite Motive 134, and I’m heading out in the AM to try it out. Any tips before I go?

just have fun thats the most important part, find yoruself not having fun, call it a day and try another, also relax getting up and it;ll be easier than muscling it around

Well, I can get up on top of the water, but not much else. I think my longest run today was about 60 feet. Any tips on staying up? I'm going back out this afternoon.

Hold the rope with only one hand once you are up. Whichever foot you have foreward, use that hand. This will keep you straigt and keep your body from turning sideways. As you get more comfortable at the other hand just don't pull to much with it or else you will tend to turn sideways. Hope this helps and keep asking questions as you need help!!

Put about 60% of your weight on back foot, knees bent a little. Keep handle in your hip/waist area with elbows bent a bit. If you have your arms out straight you can get pulled over. When attempting wake jumps, keep/lower the handle into your waist/hip area to keep the pull of the rope at an area that makes it easier to maintain a center of balance. Dont use a mixed grip, both palms of hands should be down. try not to get a bad habit of letting go with one hand... unless you are doing grabs of course)

Be sure that you practice both toeside and heelside cuts, don't let youself get carried away with heelside cuts, leaving your toeside behind in progression. a fun way to practice edging is to "surf the wake" just ride up and down its side and try things.

Most of those new to the sport are too timid to approach the wake (go up or down it) and i think this timidness causes them to fall even more. here is a quick picture and description in paint that i think will help allot on this and edging in general.


Hope i dont overwhelm you with all this. HOPE IT HELPS

NOTE: look at rope for direction of path

Im a first year rider and trust me these guys are right. I spent most of the summer trying to go big h/s and feel like im starting all over again learning t/s . Got sick of jump, cross, jump, cross. Go buy the book. ASwesome videos. Most important... HAVE FUN!!! thats what its all about

Thanks guys. I just played around on skis this afternoon. Too much traffic on the lake for me to try anything on the wake board.

Best bet is to hook up and ride with some riders who have experience. Either on your boat or theirs. Getting tips and instruction from someone who rides well/regularly will help your progression. Check the "find a 3rd, be a 3rd" section. Most importantly, have fun!

Any one know the best place to buy "The Book" I've found it for $69.99, and only a few $$ cheaper on eBay.

thats actually a pretty good price..you pay for what you get with the book..

i started out on the Motive back in the day...it was a great board!

Jon how big of a guy are you on a 134 I wouldnt be any bigger than 155 at best.

You chose a GREAT board!

I'm about 175. I called an on-line sales place and told them I knew nothing about wakeboarding. They asked my weight, and that is what they sold me. Should I have gotten a bigger board? I am on a diet, I plan on being 160ish in couple months.

The number one thing to do after you learn to get up is keeping the handle low and close to your lead hip. The edging/turning will come somewhat naturally.

Check out Hyperlites web page, I would personally use a 140 motive even if you get down to 160, see more surface area= less drag and ultimately less work. I am 170 and ride a 139. It will be easier to stay up, try and return the board, at least I would. But thats my opnion

Obviously I'm not expert, but I don't think the length is what's hurting me. I can get out of the water just fine. I think my problems were, 1. not putting enough weight on my back foot, and 2. holding the rope too high.

Joe, thats true its probably not the only thing holding you back. However, when you get better a smaller board will hold you back. And at that time you will probably have a harder time returning it. I dont know it will help with you staying up. But its all my opnion. Joe, where are you out of? ther are people on here that would probably help with riding as well.

I second the bigger board. Bigger board also = bigger air and softer landings. Also you don't fight with the board as much, and it rides in the water easier. I am 175lbs and I started on a CWB Realm 141, and now I ride the 2007 Transcend 142.

I assume you are talking to me; there is not a Joe in this thread. I'm in western KY. I would love to ride with some experienced people.

I got a steal on my board and it is already in my hands, I’ll just use it until I think I need something else. Then I'll have a spare.

I just called the place I got my board from; they could not be more helpful. They said I am right between the 134 and 140 sizes. He recommended I go out on the lake a few more times and then call them back. He said trading it in on anything I wanted was no problem. I'm am very satisfied with customer service like that!

Jon, Where do you boat at? I live in West Tn.

Well, I've only had my boat for 3 weeks, only made one trip out with my board, but I've been to;

Lake Malone
Lake Breshear
Lake Barkley

But I'm up for anything.

I have several small spots we go to around West Tn. The only place I been to in Kentucky is Kentucky Lake. I usually put in at Paris landing, or most of the time we go to Pump House Cove. Both of these are on the Tennessee end of the lake. I usually avoid Ky. Lake on holiday weekends.

I'm not sure if the PM's work. I'm about a 2.5 hour drive from you. Are there any lakes you go to between me and you?

good luck man. wakeboarding is amazing once you can do it.

That little picture is awesome!

yea....looks like Jeremy has helped beginners in the past!

Thanks for all the help guys. I went out today and had a great time! I made it up and crossed back and forth over the wake. I tried to switch my stance and over corrected and fell. After my driver hitting me with the boat and circling me 5 times to get the rope to me I decided to call it a day. I have got to find a new driver. But overall I had a great 2 hours on the lake almost to myself.

(Message edited by hunter660 on September 01, 2007)

Hey congrats on the good day! Hopefully it'll keep ya coming back for more. Yeah...any driver hitting you with the boat may be an indication of the need for somebody new driving