Wakeboard speed for a friend?

[skistud1]

I have a "friend" that just bought a wakeboard and was wondering what speed I should have the Perfect Pass set at?

He is new to the sport and weighs about 196 lbs.

Thanks!

[wienrdog]

Start out slow - 15 MPH or so until he gets the hang of it for a little while & is comfortable crossing the wakes both ways - likely 2 or 3 sets. The falls are MUCH less painful.

As he gets comfortable, speed up 2 MPH or so at a time. Should end up somewhere between 19 & 23 MPH.

[shade]

I would start a 195 pounder out at about 18 mph. At 15 mph, I think, the board will ride too deep in the water IMO.

[obski]

I would start a 195 pounder out at about 18 mph. At 15 mph, I think, the board will ride too deep in the water IMO.

I agree, 15mph is too slow for that size. I would start around 17 to 18mph and then go from there.

[-BS-]

Unless the guy is riding a big board (like a 142+) I think even 18 would be a little slow. You can get away with the slower speeds for small kids that are beginning, but I would go 20+ and get as close to 23 as possible. If you go under 20 the guy is going to have to lean way back to keep the board on plane. This usually amounts to a lot of falling backwards, or worse yet, catching edges because the board is so low in the water. Unless the person is deathly afraid of the speed of the boat, we always tow beginners at 20+. Anyway, just my opinion. Good luck.

[wakeup]

16/17mph (GPS) will be plenty for a first timer even at 195lbs. I'm about the same weight and I've gone as slow as 15mph in the past while showing someone else how to wakeboard. The board if sized properly will do the work.

That does not mean it will not drag! He will be very tired quickly! But you only do it long enough to get them to understand the basics/fundamentals. And eye peelers and such will not hurt as much.

There is no need to lean way back on the board or do anything different; the object is to do the same things just at slower speed. Give them a chance to learn the basics then speed up.

I think if you go 23 mph out of the gate with a beginner you might have someone who does not like the sport if they take a hard fall.

Just my opinion. And I preface all that to say use a GPS to make sure of your actual speed. Had this same conversation with my next door neighbor and his 06 23lsv was 3+mph off from GPS.

[wienrdog]

I do drills at 12 - 15 MPH & weigh close to 250.

It feels slow, but I can control the board, move side to side & when I catch the front or rear edge, the falls don't hurt. This is on a larger board - 142.

Speeding up will depend on how well your friends controls the board & is able to stand upright & turn heelside & toeside without consistently burying an edge.

My normal boarding speed is 22 - 23 depending on the boat & ballast, but the falls can be pretty painful.

[68Slalom]

I do drills at 12 - 15 MPH & weigh close to 250.

It feels slow, but I can control the board, move side to side & when I catch the front or rear edge, the falls don't hurt. This is on a larger board - 142.

Speeding up will depend on how well your friends controls the board & is able to stand upright & turn heelside & toeside without consistently burying an edge.

My normal boarding speed is 22 - 23 depending on the boat & ballast, but the falls can be pretty painful.

I remember doing some drills at that speed and your arms and lower back get tired pretty quick, it's ok for maybe 5 mins but if the rider can stay up I would get him up to a min. of 18 mph.

Good luck, I'm sure he'll have a blast until his first major fall

[skistud1]

Thanks for the info guys! I'll come clean and say that the board that I'm using is a 138 Ronix Mana. I started at 18 mph and had the driver bump it up to 19 to cut down on some of the drag.

While trying a simple switch from LFF to RFF I managed to catch the toe side edge 2 out of 3 times.........boy that hurt.

Thought I would try something new and keep the Monza in the boat while the lake was all blown out.

Edited June 12, 2009 by skistud1

[johnsvt]

Thanks for the info guys! I'll come clean and say that the board that I'm using is a 138 Ronix Mana. I started at 18 mph and had the driver bump it up to 19 to cut down on some of the drag.

While trying a simple switch from LFF to RFF I managed to catch the toe side edge 2 out of 3 times.........boy that hurt.

Thought I would try something new and keep the Monza in the boat while the lake was all blown out.

surface 180? rough water will help catching edges...

I say do some little 1 wake 180's...easier than you think.

[68Slalom]

Thanks for the info guys! I'll come clean and say that the board that I'm using is a 138 Ronix Mana. I started at 18 mph and had the driver bump it up to 19 to cut down on some of the drag.

While trying a simple switch from LFF to RFF I managed to catch the toe side edge 2 out of 3 times.........boy that hurt.

Thought I would try something new and keep the Monza in the boat while the lake was all blown out.

I remember those days, and at my age they really hurt a few days later

[wakeup]

Thanks for the info guys! I'll come clean and say that the board that I'm using is a 138 Ronix Mana. I started at 18 mph and had the driver bump it up to 19 to cut down on some of the drag.

While trying a simple switch from LFF to RFF I managed to catch the toe side edge 2 out of 3 times.........boy that hurt.

Thought I would try something new and keep the Monza in the boat while the lake was all blown out.

For a beginner the 138 is a little small for 195lbs. For fun surface tricks just try a butter slide up on the lip or mainly just focus on edging back and forth across the wake toe side and heel side. While slow its just fundamentals not switch. Once you are comfortable enough to try switch, bump that baby on up to 20 or more and have fun. But I must admit, switch should come much much later if you are just starting out. There are a ton of surface tricks to be had b4 going that route plus crossing back and forth over the wake, getting proper form on the entrance to the wake, practice ollies, etc.

Check out wakeworld.