my thoughts on how to get up on a wakeboard

I have been involved with wakeboarding for the past 9 years. I have learned a thing or two about what it takes to start from the beginning. I have spent much time perfecting a way to teach those who find it difficult to get their first ride. So after years of early morning lessons and late night rides here are my tips to ride.

When you are in the water:
1. Keep your elbows in between your knees at all times (for center of balance)
2. Keep your arms relaxed
3. When the line starts to tighten

• Your knees will push up into your chest (let yourself form a ball)
• Your arms will extent out from their relaxed position (always keep them strait)
  
• Your shoulders will roll forward and your weight will rock over the board (the board is supposed to go underwater at this point)
  

...and with any luck you will be up and riding

Common problems:

For guys - we try to use our strength and use our muscle to pull ourselves out of the water. This does not work. At no point should you be pulling back with your shoulders on the startup (for beginners)

For girls - more often than not this applies to anyone, but people get scared when the board goes under the water on start up. This is supposed to happen so don't fight or strain to keep the board on the surface. Just pay attention to getting your shoulders forward, keeping your arms strait and getting your weight over the board.

For anyone - Let the boat do all the work. It is better when learning to roll completely forward onto your stomach than to pull so hard the handle pops out of your hands. Rolling forward means you are not pulling back with your shoulders, your knees are in your chest and your arm are strain. So, at this point you will want to simply try and push that board under the water to get your weight on top of it versus the alternatives.