Best Wakeboard Tricks for Beginners

So you can get up consistently on your wakeboard now. You also have good control over your stability and direction, and have started to venture both in and outside the wake. Once you have these things down, it’s time to start trying some tricks. Here are 5 simple tricks that you should start working on as a beginner on the wakeboard.

Butterfly

This was one of my favorite tricks to do when I was first starting out. Its super simple, yet very clever. Starting from the middle of the wake, go over to either side (its probably easier to go heelside) and turn your wakeboard perpendicular to the boat while on the very top of the wake. Make sure all your weight is on your heels as you do this. Now, you will be cruising with half your board in and half your board out of the wake, riding perpendicular to the boat on the very apex of the wake. This is a butterfly! From this you can then hop down and ride the wave, using it like a ramp, to propel yourself all the way to the far side of the boat.

Surface 180

The surface 180 is a cool, simple trick which does not even require your board to leave the water. To do this, keep a slight bend in your knees and your elbows locked in, with the rope close to your hip. Flip your hips towards the boat into an open position so that your wakeboard is perpendicular to the boat. The handle is now directly in front of you. While you flip your hips it is very important you lean backwards and put most of your weight on your heels. This will prevent the toe-side edge of your board from catching the water, which could lead to a face-plant. Now you need to spin another 90 degrees and put your opposite foot forward. Keep your weight back, put the handle on your opposite hip, and rotate your hips again. Once you’ve done this you have completed your frontside 180! Now reverse it and you will get your dominant foot back in front. Once you master this, start trying a backside 180. This is the same concept but instead of facing the boat in the middle of the trick, your back will be turned to the boat.

surface 180 best beginner wakeboard tricks
Trick Tips w/ Shaun Murray – Surface 180 via Youtube

One Wake Jump

A one wake jump is a great introduction into the world of air-time tricks. A one wake jump starts from outside the boats wake, requiring you to cut in on a semi-slow edge, pop off the wave, and land in the middle of the boat’s wake. Make sure as you are cutting that you keep the tension in the rope, and be sure to stand up as you hit the top of the wake. When in the air keep the handle by your hip, spot your landing, and bend your knees to absorb the water as you land.

Edge Wakeboarding Lesson 09: One Wake Jumps – Edge Wakeboarding Singapore via Youtube

Ollie

An ollie is a standard jump that is completed without the help of the boat’s wake. This is a necessary skill to learn in order to complete many intermediate to advanced tricks. Start this trick either inside or outside the wake, whichever you prefer. Bend your knees and shift your weight to your back leg. Then pull your front leg up while simultaneously pushing down (like you’re jumping) on your back leg. This should spring you into the air without using any waves for assistance. Once you get good at this you can start doing it on waves outside the boat’s wake, which will get you big air. One thing I like to do is ollie from inside the wake and land outside of it. This gives you extra air-time since you are jumping off the wake’s apex.

Ollie Wakeboard Tutorial – WakeBoomer TV via YouTube

Wake to Wake Jump

This is the most exhilarating of all these tricks! A wake to wake jump is when you jump using one side of the wake, and land all the way past the other side. This requires a decent amount of air and some balls. Cut out to either side of the boat, leaning hard, it is easier to start going toe-side. Then once you’re out there, straighten up and pause a second to wait for the rope to become taught again. Once you feel that line tension, cut in on a progressive edge so that you are going your fastest AS you hit the wake. Stand up as you hit the wake’s peak; this will give you extra air. If you want a little more air, trying pushing down on the handle. When in the air, keep your board under you, rope at your hip, and spot your landing on the other side of the wake. Bend the knees to absorb the water, and ride off into the sunset after you land it! Make sure you have a sick celebration for when you land this for the first time. It really is a great feeling!

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