Date: 4/17/03
Author: Mike Schwenne

Related Items:
Mike Schwenne Grab Photo Gallery

Mike Schwenne - Nose grab (click to enlarge)

One of the biggest things in wakeboarding that is commonly overlooked is the art of grabbing. Being able to grab properly sets you apart as a rider, allowing you to develop your own unique style. I speak for many of the pros out there when I say that I am more impressed with a solid grab than I am with a backroll or even a mobe.

The proper fundamentals of grabbing are relatively easy to learn and don't change as you incorporate them into the harder tricks. However, many people assume that since they are able to touch the board, its time to move on to the bigger tricks. There are different techniques used to teach grabbing. I'm going to teach you using the methods that are common to many west coast riding styles.

Mike Schwenne - Indy grab (click to enlarge)

The approach: Cut out about 15 to 20 feet outside the wake (when you want to go bigger, increase your distance from the wake). Start to drift in to the wake. As you do this, start to drop your butt like your playing tug-of-war with the boat. You want to come down until your legs create somewhere between a 90 and 110-degree angle. Make sure you don't let your back break and roll forward.

What all this will do is: 1) generate the speed you'll need for distance; 2) create the tension needed for good pop (height); 3) create a low center of gravity; 4) keep the board underneath you in the air; 5) create less distance for you to bring the board up into your hand.

Takeoff: Give a little tug on the handle as you are coming up and off the wake and into the air. The stronger the tug, the less tension there will be on the rope through the entire trick.

Grabbing: If you've done everything correctly up to this point, it'll be almost identical to doing it on the trampoline. Your arms can only extend so far (see the pink area in the image), so it's basically all up to your legs to get your board into the "pink zone."

If you want to grab somewhere between your legs, bring both your legs up to your chest equally. If you want to grab the tail (back end of the board) or the nose (tip or front end of the board), you will need to bring the leg that corresponds with the grabbing hand into your chest. For example, if you're grabbing with your left hand, you need to bring up your left leg. By pulling up one leg more than the other, you will create an angle with board. This will bring the part of the board you wish to grab, within arms length.

Mike Schwenne - Poking a melan grab (click to enlarge)

Poking/Tweaking (optional): Once you establish solid grabs, you can add some flavor/style to them by either poking or tweaking them out. To poke out a grab, almost everything remains the same. However, once you grab the board extend either leg out in any direction. Then bring your leg back to the position that you were in when you first grabbed the board.

Land: Try to hold on to your grab as long as possible before you let go for the landing. Incorporate a poke or tweak in the middle if possible. Don't limit yourself. Just because it hasn't been done before doesn't mean that you cant imagine it and do it.

Mike Schwenne - Indy tantrum (click to enlarge)

Grabbing advanced tricks: All the basics apply: 1) pop; 2) bring your knees in so that the board will be in your "pink zone"; 3) grab; 4) flip/spin; 5)land.

If you want to grab the second half of the trick (i.e. Moby dick or the second grab on a 540), just make sure that when it's time to grab, your knees are in a position which allows the board to be in the "pink zone." Extend your arm to meet the board and grab it. It's that easy.

Common Problem: "I try to grab, but no matter how hard I try the board remains just out of reach."
Solution: You're most likely spinning/flipping too early. You need to get your grab before you initiate your rotation. It may seem like you won't be able to complete your rotation if you do this. However, by grabbing the board it makes your body position more compact. This will cause you to rotate much faster. Imagine trying to flip a 6' log, or a 3' ball both weighing the same amount. The same physics apply here.

Mike Schwenne is a professional wakeboarder based in northern California and is sponsored by Double Up, Inland Surfer, Pro Flight, Newt Juice and Legend. He also runs West Coast Wakeboard Camps.

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