Proper technique for getting more air?

We are fairly new to the sport of wakeboarding. Although I have slolom skied for many years, I can't offer much advice to my sons (13 and 16) who are really into wakeboarding.
We recently bought a Malibu Wakesetter DD with the wedge and center ballast tank, so I think the wake is not the problem. Our other boat was an old Correct Craft which had a really small wake.
The boys are really trying hard to clear the wake as their first step and are getting frustrated because they don't seem to get that pop up in the air. I'm driving about 20-22 mph. Rope length is about 50'.
Any advice would help, from you veterans out there.

When I'm sucking (which is often), it's usually one of two things: either I don't have the handle on my hip, or I'm not edging all the way through the wake. It sounds to me like the latter issue is the problem for them.

A good progressive edge all the way through the wake, standing tall at the top of the wake. This much advice can be had from just about anyone who has moved past the frustrating point your boys are at. I think many who were self-taught have been there.

I used to be a big slalom skier, and the whole edge-through-the-wake concept was counter-intuitive to me, as it's a hard slalom edge that's critical to cutting straight through the wake on a slalom pass.

You may want to get a video, such as Detention or Higher Education. Seeing people show the fundamentals is certainly worth way more than words alone can convey.

http://www.wakeworld.com/VideoGuide/

Once they get some good fundamentals down, they'll easily land way out in the flats at 50' (even behind your old Correct Craft at 22mph). They'll quickly want to move to 65' or more.

Also be sure to keep the handle in, I know this is easier said than done as this is my weakest point as well but if you don't have the handle in then when you get into the air you'll get pulled off your center of gravity. So as said before, make sure to edge allthe way up and through the wake and keep the handle in and oriented towards your hips, just think about trying to keep your elbows in and that should help a bit. Also Cliff makes a good point, those instructional vids are awesome and def worth the money. Goood luck and have fun!

cliff as former ball chaser, the progressive edge is the key, I spent all of my first season not getting it. The season I have the edge down, and things are going much better.

Keeping line tension is the key. You should feel the line pulling on you harder and harder as you approach the wake.

Also know as a progressive edge...

When I first started I had a bad habbit of bending my knees and absorbing all the shock when I hit the wake. Remember to keep your knees stiff (not straight) as you hit the wake and dont let them collapse. I actually push off the wake as I come off and my jumps have really improved. Good luck!

(Message edited by ccubillo on June 19, 2004)

tell them to:
1. carve out very far on your toeside edge
(if u ride left foot forward then carve out to the right or vise versa for right foot forward)
2. carve out untill u cant go anymoer than start to change edges and lean against the rope on ur healside edge.
3. It is very imporntant to edge hard and hold the edge all the way up through the wake and even act like ur still edging in the air.
4. keep the roppe at ur hips and absorb teh wake with ur knees on het landing.

Like Christine said, stand tall at the wake. When you get into the trough(bottom) of the wake start standing up on the board while maintaining your edge. It might take a while to get this down. I would reccomend trying it from like 5 ft. outside of the wake first, and then trying it with a full cut.

Oh yeah, that progressive edge that everyone keeps talking about it pretty important too. And if you haven't already done so you might want to get a copy of the "Detention" or "Higher Learning" dvd's.

A good instructional video will explain everything above except in a visual form. Look for videos like 'detention volume 1'. It will teach proper technique on how to do the fundamentals. Everything above is correct, but visual aids help. Also, watch for your local wakeboarders who are good. Ask them to watch and offer tips. If they are cool, they will help you out no problem.