SolveYourProblem Article Series: Extreme Sports
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Wakeboarding Terms & Glossary
   

What do you think of when you hear the word “wakeboarding?” Wakeboarding is a bit like snowboarding except for the fact that it is on the water. It is a bit like water skiing, though you do not use water skis you use a board. If you are confused keep reading, as this article will take a closer look at the sport and some of the terms that wakeboard enthusiasts frequently use.

A-Frame: this term describes a rail that is shaped in the form of an “A.”

Bail: describes when you fall on your wakeboard.

Blind: is where the wakeboarder has the handle and their back facing the boat.

Bonk: touching your board on an obstacle.

Case: landing right on top of the wake in an abrupt fashion.

Core: the material inside that is used in a wakeboard.

Digger: a bad wreck

Dock Start: the rider can either stand and leap off the dock as the boat goes or sits on the edge of the dock and slide off.

Eye-Opener: you land so fast on the water you do not have time to close your eyes.

Fat Sack: this is a sack that is filled with water and placed in the boat to make the wake bigger.

Glass: referring to smooth water.

Jib: riding the wakeboard on anything this is not water.

Mobius: This invert contains at least a 360-degree spin in it.

Nose: the tip that is closest to the end of the boat

Pop: this is when you release from the wake and you generate pop.

Wakeboarding is a combination of several sports and goes back many years. Those who enjoy this sport use a board called a Skurfer, which is a hybrid of a water ski and a surfboard. While the wakeboarder is on their board, they are tethered to a boat that pulls them. The objective of the wakeboarder is to jump up and through the wakes doing tricks and trying not to crash.

When wakeboarding first began, there were no straps that held the feet to the board, but that all changed around 1985 when the first straps for the foot were drilled onto the board. This was a great advancement in the sport because without the foot straps, the athletes could not do higher jumps or get bigger air. The straps made the sport more dynamic and free flowing. Prior to wakeboarding, the name of this sport was called skiboarding. Wakeboarding can be done whether you are four years old to eighty years old and anywhere in between.

The shape of the wakeboard has changed several times over the past few years. Now these boards have reached the design that they are today and allow the wakeboarder to gain big air and do exciting aerial tricks. This scores big points with the judges and spectators.

If you want to learn how to use a wakeboard, there are lessons available anywhere that you find a sufficient amount of water. The lessons vary depending on what you want to learn. You can learn to launch with one lesson or have more than five lessons. It all depends on what you want to know. In California, they have the following types of lessons:

The Launch – this is a great package for any skill level, as you will learn any trick you want to know about from beginning to advance. This lesson is approximately three to four hours long.

The Local – this is a great lesson for the wakeboarder who has some experience and want to learn more techniques and tricks that will advance you to the next level of wakeboarding.

The Competitor – this package is for the serious wakeboarder who seeks continual improvement. With this package, you will be given three separate lessons.

The Pro – if you want to learn how to ride like a pro this package is for you. You will receive five separate lessons and can work on whatever you believe your need is to become an expert at wakeboarding.

Lessons on Your Boat – this is a great lesson for those who prefer to ride behind their own boat. You simply hire an instructor who will give you the same quality lessons you would get if you had taken them without your boat.

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SolveYourProblem.com : 2008

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