Boat Safety and Water Sports
Lesson Eighteen: Wake Board Terms/Equipment/Boat Speed/Pulling a Rider

Topic: Wake boarding Terms/ Equipment/ Boat Speed/ Pulling a Rider
Lesson Activity:

Wake Boarding Terms:
Have students brainstorm as many wake boarding terms as they can and then have them compare their results with my
 Wake Boarding Terms

Equipment:
Ropes/Rope Control:
Wake Board ropes should be non stretch so that you will have more control, especially when performing tricks. The length of the rope should be about 55' for beginners and 65' for those who are performing tricks. A longer rope allows the wake boarder to cut faster and get more air.

Various types of ropes:
Outrage Dualie
* positive grip
* heavy line
* Vinyl covering for extreme wear resistance
 

Outrage Classic
* Hand protectors
* Sure hand grip for tricks
* Good flexibility and stiffness
 

Advantage Super floater
* Full vinyl covering
* Smoothest wrap releases
 

Click here for more  Wake Board Rope Guides
 
 

Rope Control:
One of the most important aspects of wake boarding is rope control. The first thing you need to know is to  hold the handle with both palms down. This will allow you to easily pass the handle during spinning tricks. As you rotate a trick you will be able to easily turn your wrist grabbing and passing the handle with the other hand. Thus creating a smoother transition as you complete your turn.
For all tricks, especially flips, it is very important to keep a tight line. Begin your tricks by making slow, controlled turns. Start easy and roll your board up on edge. This will allow you to create angle and load tension on the rope keeping a tight line throughout the trick.
Rope control is important for wake boarders of all ability levels.

Boards
There are two types of boards: directional ~ surf style board, and a twin-top. The difference is that a directional board has a front end and a back end, like a surfboard or ski, and a twin tip has what looks like two back ends, when in reality it has two front ends. The purpose of this is so that you can ride both ways, left or right foot forward, for tricks.
For more information on wake boards see Wake Board Guide.

Like Water Skiing ~ Wake Boarding also falls into many of the same classifications:
 Boating Basics
 Personal Floatation Devices
 First Aid
 Cold Water Sport Activities
 Hand Signals
 

Boat Speed:
The speed the driver goes depends on the rider. If they say slower, go slower, etc. Only go faster if the rider is in turbulent part of the wake, if he or she is in the right spot do not speed up unless they instruct you do so.

Pulling Up the Rider:
Do not take off until the handle is in their hands, the rope is tight, and they have given the driver the signal. When pulling a beginner, you want to pull them out of the water somewhat slow because if you go fast then it will jerk them forward and they will most likely let go of the rope. Go  slowly and let them get the feel of the pressure and the pull, once they have their balance give it more gas to get them out.
 

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