Ok, after this weekend (and I did not so much as dip a foot in the water); I have done much thinking about going ropeless when surfing. I am able to get plenty of slack in the rope but I am trying to call out to my fellow riders to see what their tips are when going ropeless while wakesurfing.

I find that when I throw in the rope, I place weight on my backfoot (or brake) and loose the wave. Any suggestions???

I used to have the same exact problem when throwing in the rope. The actual act of throwing the rope in would either cause me to lose my balance or get too far back on the wave that I couldn't recover. I have found two techniques that really help with this issue. The first techinque I use is to wait until you are coming down the wave and throw in the rope when you are closest to the boat. This way you already have your pressure on the front foot & plenty of time and space to recover before going back too far past the sweet spot of the wave. The second techinque i like to use is to simply drop the rope handle into the water and let the person on the back corner of the boat pull the rope in for you. I started out with this one because it's the easiest. But you have to make sure the person on the back corner of the boat knows what you are doing and is ready to pull the rope in quickly for you. Hope this helps..... (IMG:http://forums.wakeoutlaws.com/style_emoticons/wake/).gif)

One other thing is I see alot of people pull themselves into the wake with the rope.
Instead you should surf into the wake - only use the rope to save you at the last second.

I know that I definitely use the rope to pull me in to the wake (at times) to gain the courage and find the sweet spot. I definitely think I would like the easiest method to just let go instead of throwing the rope in as I know that it I pushes my balance to my "breaking" foot.


So when should you know that you are ready to drop the rope? Is it sustained slack in the rope along with courage? (IMG:http://forums.wakeoutlaws.com/style_emoticons/wake/help.gif)

Sometimes I do have to use the rope to pull myself into the wake. But once I'm in the wave I try to immediately getting my footing right and do a few test "carves". If they feel good then that is the best time to go ahead and throw in the rope. It if doesn't feel right then try repositioning & test it out again. I feel like the longer I ride with the rope the more I depend on it and therefore never quite get my balance just right. I think once you feel like your feet are in the right position if you go ahead and just throw in the rope or drop it down, that you will be able to ride better and shift your weight the way you need to with out having the rope to interfere or use as a crutch.

What are you using for a handle? If you've got one of those small one-hand-size handles, just drop it in the water. If you're using a slalom or wake handle, that's a no-no. Too easy to get an arm, leg, or head through the opening if you fall.

Surfing handle...I think I am going to try the "just drop" method vs. throw. I think momentum must be my main problem. I throw and then I break. never fails...did it several times at the end of last season. I do tend to use the rope as a security blanket. I enjoy the ride too much and then just don't drop the rope. I will try this and post back the results...and take pics if I am successful or not. (IMG:http://forums.wakeoutlaws.com/style_emoticons/wake/).gif)

So Wakechick, how did going ropeless work out for you this weekend? Did you try the "just drop" method?

Hey Hey Hey!!! Ok, so the focus of Sunday per my coaches in the boat was to hold the rope and focus on getting slack in the rope.

I was re-learning some new feet positioning techniques. BUT...I can not tell you how much I learned yesterday. You know I have surfed for 3 years now...always with a rope because hey, I don't drink beer so I did not think i needed too AND I was having fun. BUT end of last season I got the taste of freedom from the rope. Ok, so here is what I learned:

- There are truly steps in learning the art of wakesurfing...damn all you peeps make it look easy and my holding the rope has made me a puss!
- Feet positioning is everything!!! For some reason, I am really leaning on that break and bending quite a bit in my knees....once I feel the gas...I get a bit timid.
- Moving to the center of the boat and loving the wave...ABSOLUTELY critical. Love, Live, and BE the wave.

So, I did not go ropeless but I am almost there!!! AND when I do I am doing the just drop method, I think in the next 2 - 3 weeks needs to be my goal (regardless of cold water). Thanks to my teachers (especially Krakdaddie!!!) Woot Woot!

MAHALO Chickee

Stay with it Heidi, you'll get there. You've received some very good advice here, at some point soon it will all click for you & then you'll wonder why you struggled at all with it.

And click it does!!!! So this weekend I found the magic combo...a 247 and HL Broadcast!!! I have ridden the broadcast before and always loved that board...but even though I did not throw the rope in I was SURFING!!! It was all about the comfort and feel of the board; I had slack and I was ONE with the WAKE...mahalo Godfather!

Will post pics but it only a matter of a few more sessions and I will be ropeless. I want to nail down the feel of maneuvering the board, feet position and movement and I will be there! YEAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!

Just had to post this update...I made it after a few weeks of runs to start the season out!

Oh yeah baby!!!
(IMG:http://www.wakeoutlaws.com/media/wakechick/hr1.jpg)

You think I may have lost it...
(IMG:http://www.wakeoutlaws.com/media/wakechick/hr3.jpg)

But I recovered it!!!!
(IMG:http://www.wakeoutlaws.com/media/wakechick/hr4.jpg)

A BIG BIG thanks to my coaches!!! NSG, D9D, The Krakdaddy!, Loc...and a few others along the way. The advice of you all was incredible...

MAHALO!!!! (IMG:http://forums.wakeoutlaws.com/style_emoticons/wake/Surfing.gif) (IMG:http://forums.wakeoutlaws.com/style_emoticons/wake/Surfing.gif) (IMG:http://forums.wakeoutlaws.com/style_emoticons/wake/Surfing.gif)

Way to go Heidi. (IMG:http://forums.wakeoutlaws.com/style_emoticons/wake/thumbsup.gif)

I'm glad I was there to see "your first time"! Very exciting!

Who's a bad bad [radio edit] who's a bad bad [radio edit]

That God Forsaken broadcast (IMG:http://forums.wakeoutlaws.com/style_emoticons/wake/sick.gif)

Bitchin!!! Nice work Wakechick! (IMG:http://forums.wakeoutlaws.com/style_emoticons/wake/).gif)

Awesome! Lookin' good Wakechick. (IMG:http://forums.wakeoutlaws.com/style_emoticons/wake/Rockon.gif)

A bit overdue... WAY to Go Girl!! (IMG:http://forums.wakeoutlaws.com/style_emoticons/wake/Rockon.gif)

Awesome Pics!