To progress in an adventure sport, what you need to do is find good instructors who can advise and assist you with everything you require. A proper wakeboarding company will guarantee that the best professionals work for them – and only with the best can you evolve and become a proper rider.
If you've seen our previous article on Wakeboard Tricks Part I, you might have wondered where the rest of the disciplines are. Wait no longer, as here they are:
- Inverts: Once you've mastered grabs and rotations, inverts will come almost naturally. Bear in mind this trick refers to any manoeuvre performed mid-air where your head becomes the lowest point of your body. Riders have three axes to rotate on: one running from feet to head, another through the navel, and a third from hip to hip. From there, it's just about learning how to use these axes to perform inverts as spectacular as possible.
Within this discipline, you'll find tricks like the HS Backroll, where you'll defy gravity by performing a sideways backward flip. Conversely, the HS Frontflip involves a sideways flip but performed forwards. You could also ask your wakeboard instructor about tricks like the TS Backroll, TS Frontflip, Frontroll, or Tantrum...
- Raley Tricks: These essentially involve your body leaving the vertical position while using the handle for assistance. They're related to the previous group (inverts) but without any rotation. The main advantage of learning these is that you can combine them with countless grabs and rotations – making it easy to score higher if competing.
The possibilities are endless, as both the Heelside Raley and Toeside Raley can be combined with grabs, s-bends, rotations or 911s, so it's best to consult a specialist who can explain them all.
- Handle Pass Inverts: This group of tricks is more complex, combining inverts with rotations – both frontside and backside, with or without handle passes, etc. Remember there are 6 basic inverts: Tantrum, HS Backroll, HS Frontflip, TS Backroll, TS Frontflip, and Frontroll.
Whether you're practising wakeboarding to perform spectacular tricks casually or taking it more seriously to compete, always follow safety guidelines. The first and most important is choosing a professional wakeboard school with top-tier instructors and equipment. Always wear a wetsuit (to avoid getting cold) and a helmet (to protect your head from impacts). Your board must suit your size and skill level – otherwise you won't handle it properly and could have accidents.
Remember that the boat driver must be highly competent, as your safety is literally in their hands – they monitor you and control the speed, among other things.
If after this information you still have questions, contact a wakeboarding school and they'll advise you on everything you need to know.
