New to wakesurfing - can't let go of rope

[loudsubz]

Tried wakesurfing last summer with a cheap Obrien Jimmy Jam board and got the hang of it but could never let go of the rope or else I would not stay in the surf wake.

Bought a new board this spring (Inland Surfer Yellow Loogy) and tried it this last weekend and I am having the same issue.

I know my surf wake isn't the best (stock ballast in rear and locker) but I assume I should at least be able to stay in the surf wake at least. I am 180 lbs.

With that said any tips on stance or anything that may be hindering me from not being able to surf without the rope?

[04OUTBACK]

CWB HOW TO
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a6Pf5s7HGF0
INLAND Surfer how To
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n9CrnY9Ig3U

Your Front Foot serves as the "Gas" and the rear foot as "brake"
Lean into your front foot to speed up and get into the pocket..
and Dont rush trying to ride without rope...
Often I'll hold the rope, even though I am free riding.. i am gonna lose it at some point so i prefer to be able to have the "safety net"..

BIG game of balance..

[loudsubz]

thanks for the links

[sandm]

more ballast....
the more wave you have, the more "push" it will have and be able to keep you going without the rope.

ed was a big proponent of the "minimalist surfing" technique, and it takes some skills to work a board with the small stock factory ballast. I believe that you should learn the skills on a bigger wake that has some push to it, then start playing around with less ballast if you like to hone your skills..
pm ed and I bet he can give you some tips with the factory bags and dropping the rope tho...

[kaneboats]

If I recall correctly you have a 2010 LSV. You are trying to surf with a 400 in the center and a 400 on the surf side. At about 220 lbs. there was nothing I could do to free ride with that setup in my '08, even on a board as big as the Broadcast. You are not that big but the board you're riding isn't as big either. Go for the 750 or 1100 bag on the surf side. You will never regret it. Good luck!

[you da man]

Isn't the Yellow Loogy a small board?

[loudsubz]

Yeh the yellow loogy is smaller but wide and I have read it is good for upwards of 200 lbs. Plus I wanted a fun board for the future that could spin easily unlike some of the bigger board which would be good for getting up and going straight but not that fun to do spins etc

[loudsubz]

I was also wanting to upgrade the ballasts but the boat is owned 3 ways and the other parties didn't really want me to be touching the stock setup so I have to make do with what I have now.

[lsvboombox]

I was also wanting to upgrade the ballasts but the boat is owned 3 ways and the other parties didn't really want me to be touching the stock setup so I have to make do with what I have now.

Cant you just buy an extra sac and replace it when u surf then return to stock... do u. Have a 2010? If so its 2 quick snaps and you r done

[lsvboombox]

Also if u do have a 2010 lsv thats what i got ani have been messing with setups and i always seem to get the best wake with the weight to the back corner..and nothig upfront... i got 1100's in the back 400 in locker and also the bow sac up front.. also have 2 400 pound bags to move around.... my ski locker and ibs are currently plumbed together so i bought a manifold to get seperate fill controls and i also bought the acme 1235 that i plan to play with to try to get a monster wake....... i also leave the wake plate up or a 1/4 down.....

[you da man]

Cant you just buy an extra sac and replace it when u surf then return to stock... do u. Have a 2010? If so its 2 quick snaps and you r done

But doesn't he have to adjust the timers to fill the larger sacs?

[sandm]

put in the bigger sac, then invite the other 2 out and show them how to surf. problem solved :)

[lsvboombox]

But doesn't he have to adjust the timers to fill the larger sacs?

you wouldnt have to, you can just turn em off and back on.. a pain but worth the wake...

[cab13367]

Tried wakesurfing last summer with a cheap Obrien Jimmy Jam board and got the hang of it but could never let go of the rope or else I would not stay in the surf wake.

Bought a new board this spring (Inland Surfer Yellow Loogy) and tried it this last weekend and I am having the same issue.

I know my surf wake isn't the best (stock ballast in rear and locker) but I assume I should at least be able to stay in the surf wake at least. I am 180 lbs.

With that said any tips on stance or anything that may be hindering me from not being able to surf without the rope?

I've got a 2006 LSV and can free ride with zero ballast and only a couple people on that boat so with your set up, it's definitely doable. But if you are new to the sport, it takes some time to figure out how to get in and stay in the pocket. So to speed up the learning process, the best scenario would have been to buy a beginner board (ie., bigger) and get a 750 for the rear surf side locker. Since you have other owners that don't want you to mess with the stock set up, the easiest solution would be to buy the 750 and a T1200 Tsunami handheld pump set up. Will set you back $250 but I think it's worth it considering the gas you save in having to come back and pick you up every time you fall off the wave :o) Plus you will be freeriding faster than if you tried to learn on smaller wave.

Check out my post about titled "Weight in the opposite locker" for my complete set up and a vid.

[Moseley618]

Buy bags from wakemakers, they will tell you exactly what will fit in your year and model boat. It will take two minutes to switch them out. What the other two people don't know won't hurt them.

[Inliner]

I agree with cab. Just put a 750 Fat Sac auxiliary on the surf side. There will still be a learning curve while you master the finesse, but eventually you will get it and look back and laugh.

[brenpire]

Totally agree with Cab! Get a bigger board. At least borrow one to see if it makes a difference.

When I started wakesurfing I started with a small (4'6"), wide board. Basiclly becasue it was on sale. Now I know why. Tried out a 5'6" and it made a world of difference.