Making Progress

[Sled491]

So this weekend we hooked up with a family we met last year at the Jamboree. They had a brand new 22SSV Supra still in breakin. Well we talked for a bit and finally he couldn't take it any more and wanted to test his new boat wakesurfing. He has 1900lbs of stock ballast! We filled up the rear drivers side ballast and the front bow ballast. We all took turns and every one got up. We all managed (well mostly) to get some slack line. I got a short surf in. I discovered many of my original problems were set up and my wife being a little anxious on the throttle. My buddy did a deep water start, where you stand on the board while it is under the surface and I pulled him up a couple of times this way with success. Wow, we are all so pumped now. Next weekend at the Chicago Jamboree we plan on spending most of the day surfing. I know a couple of others from the board here said they were going to be bringing there boards. We will try to get us all together and see about making so real progress and having some serious fun. Man I was so frusturated at 1st and now I just can't wait to keep going!!!

Thanks to all who gave there tips over the last few weeks. I will be posting some pics later and maybe some video. In the meantime here is a pic of my wife behind out Outback with no ballast. First time out, first time up, first try
http://img157.imageshack.us/img157/2328/boatingandwaterskiing20qb8.jpg
By sled491 (http://profile.imageshack.us/user/sled491), shot with u40D,S500,uD500 (http://profile.imageshack.us/camerabuy.php?model=u40D%2CS500%2CuD500&make=OLYMPUS+IMAGING+CORP) at 2008-07-21

[deerfield]

sled - Did she drop the line? Was the wake sufficient to surf? - Deerfield

[Sled491]

Behind out boat with no ballast we have not been able to drop the line. Ed G has posted pics in the past that show not one, but two surfers behind his boat with no ballast. We went behind our buddies boat and were able to drop the line for some short surfs. You remember Will who pulled the pro last year with his 24ft Supra at the Jamboree? Well he got a new 22 SSV under warrenty(I'm sure he'll share the story with you this weekend) and we had much better success behind his boat. Keep in mind none of us are experts and 4 of the 5 had never surfed before that day.

[Sled491]

Sorry Ed read your post this morning then had to leave for work. 1st good advice on the rope, I was kind of wondering if it would get wrapped around a leg, we'll definately watch this in the future.

Now onto the deep water start. So you sink your board and stand on it. This will take some tries and requires some balance. WHen you can finally stand on your board you will be depending on weight about up to your chest. Driver engages throttle and allows rider to get board heading to surface. When tip breaks surface rider should have knees fully bent like normal start only you will already be in riding position not trying to come up on board. When the tip breaks the surface you ever so gradually accelerate until riders is surfing. We did it a few times with success, and only failed once and that was because I was a little quick on the throttle. I saw a pro do this on a video, if you can get it, not a bad way to go

[Littlena]

If there is anyone interested in IL this weekend, I am inviting them to drive our boat to pull sled out of the water on the board. I have had difficulty trying to find the right amount of throttle. I know it's not all me, but if I could get some coaching, I would really appreciate it. Poor guy can't breath right for days. Not enough insurance so I'm not doing it on purpose really. Although the thought has crossed my mind.

[zegm]

I wish to welcome to the boards our new movie star Littlena!!!!

You guys (see I can speak yankee) have got the whole house fired up on wakesurfing. Just trying to figure out if the 10ft surfboard will fit on the Z-cargo rack! :D

[SC07LS]

We just tried wakesurfing for the first time last weekend. Having wakeboarded or wakeskated 100% of the time, I wasn't sure what to expect. It was a blast. Actually, relaxing to some point. I was able to get a little slack in the rope toward the last couple of sets. It was better when I rode switch behind the driver. We ordered some external ballast bags, I hope they get here before the weekend. Sled congrats on your success.

[Sled491]

Thanks SC, glad to have you with us. This sport is turning out to sooo much fun for our family and the families we hang out with.

[tlatoani]

My biggest "tip" would be to get perfect pass :P

[Sled491]

Got one, and I agree