Is wakeboarding easier for an old guy than slalom?

[snlgraham]

I just got an old boat running this year. Have been fishing and now that it is warming up we went tubing. While I was out I thought I would try the single. I have not slalomed since I was a teenager over 20+ years ago(and 20+ pounds ago) back then I was pretty good. Any way, I made a couple of good cuts (got an elbow down even) and after that I was spent. My boat is not the most powerfull thing so it took alot just to get up. So I am wondering if wakeboarding would be easier for an old guy. I don't think I need to do the ariel flips and rolls, but it sure looks like alot of fun. After having been off the water for so long it seems like skiing is not the "cool thing" anymore.

Also, is my boat up to the task? I have an old 16ft trihull fish&ski with a 140 mercruiser. It seems to me that you want a large wake that you can jump. Unlike the slalom ski that you want a small wake because you have to cut all the way through the wake to make the next turn. My wake is fairly small but I do have electric trim. Can I use the trim to produce a large wake?

Any help would be appreciated.
Shawn

 

[deejaycee_2000]

Re: Is wakeboarding easier for an old guy than slalom?

yes, yes and yes ......

 

[bhdau1]

Re: Is wakeboarding easier for an old guy than slalom?

I disagree about the wake boarding part of your question. Take everything you have learned about waterskiing and toss it out the window. You dont have a direction fin to stabilize you like you do on a ski(s). Turning is much harder and balancing is much harder in my opinion. The only thing that is easier is getting up on a plane. Maybe if that is the first thing you try to ride behind a boat it would be easier, but if you have been a waterskier prior, the learning curve is completely different.

 

[snlgraham]

Re: Is wakeboarding easier for an old guy than slalom?

Im not afraid of a new learning curve. That is part of the fun. I believe you when you say that the balance and riding technique is completely different. What I am wondering is if the stress on the body and the strength that it takes to wakeboard is easier than slalom? When I ski I was always at about 32 mph and pulling with all my worth against the water and boat to make the next turn and put up a wall of water. I dont think I have that in me anymore. Wakeboarders that I have observed on the lake are cruising much slower at around 20-25 mph. and not pulling so hard against the boat.
Thanks
Shawn

 

[tommays]

Re: Is wakeboarding easier for an old guy than slalom?

Believe it or not wakeboard is hard in a different way we are all 50 + years old and board with are 18 to 22 year old children and there friends

It does keep the family close

One of the biggest pains is catching and edge during turns which results in a faceplant

I guess because you slap the water so hard when you trip it is close to a Concussion or at best a good headache


Tommays

 

[KM2]

Re: Is wakeboarding easier for an old guy than slalom?

FWIW: I slamoned when I was a teenager and early 20's. Still do a little. Now I prefer to wake board. It's new and fun. My opinion is it's easier to do than slamon. Board is much bigger -easier to get on plan, boat is moving slower- less tiring, The tricks & jumps are hard and the wipe outs still can hurt but you are not moving nearly as fast as a good slamon skier.

 

[sabastianunf]

Re: Is wakeboarding easier for an old guy than slalom?

Wakeboarding is easy once you get the feel for it. Once you start jumping the wake if can hurt very bad - but only if you fall. However, I don't think your boat is going to kick big enough a wake to really get much air. Beware - wakeboarding is highly addictive and you can spend your entire life savings on equiptment and still not be happy. Kind of like good drugs but it's not illegal just yet.

 

[snlgraham]

Re: Is wakeboarding easier for an old guy than slalom?

Thanks Guys,
I am going to give it try this weekend if the weather holds. I am excited to learn something new. Picked up a used board, if I like it I might by a new one.
Shawn

 

[Liquid_force]

Re: Is wakeboarding easier for an old guy than slalom?

wakeboarding is MUCH less stressful to the body than slalom. Less speed, less force, more board to water surface area = less pull on the arms/shoulders. More natural riding position...etc.

The only thing I can think of that could be a "pain" as a beginner is that you won't be doing any 180's - which means you'll be riding in about the same position all the time and having about the same twist in your back. So I would expect some muscle soreness in your back until you learn to turn the board 180 deg and ride with the other foot forward from time to time to relieve some strain on your back.

 

[stinkylinky_2]

Re: Is wakeboarding easier for an old guy than slalom?

I'm late 30's and just picked up wakeboarding as well. I was never an elbow down slalom skier, but gave it a good ride in years gone by. I find that the body position of wake is a little awkward. If you use 2 hands, your upper body and hips will not be in the same line. I go left foot forward, so cruizing outside the left wake is easiest, outside the right creates more body twist. I tire easily relying on one hand pull for the entire ride. I have not gotten to the 180 yet, but that is a goal for this year. Jumps to follow...

 

[AguaSki]

Re: Is wakeboarding easier for an old guy than slalom?

I agree that you don't fatigue as quickly when wake boarding. I usually slalom and wake board in the same trip, and I like to slalom first while I still have my strength. After a quick rest from slaloming, I have plenty of energy to wake board, but it would be difficult for me to slalom a second time.

I really don't have a preference on which sport I like better. They are both great, and equals in my mind.

 

[snlgraham]

Re: Is wakeboarding easier for an old guy than slalom?

Okay, I tried it........... Didnt get up. Yep, it is a different skill that will require starting at the begining. Or maybe its the board.

So, I am a major cheapskate and bought a used board at a thrift shop. What a deal(I think), only $29. I am not so sure it was a deal, it looks very different from the boards that I see on the lake. I am wondering if this board has to do with me not being able to get up. Anyone ride one like this? It is an HO hyperlite shredready Skurfer. It has a shape that is more like a short surfboard. It has straps type bindings not boot type. Best I can tell this seems to be one of the first wakeboards produced. Well, if it is old school, it should be perfect for me.
Can anyone help me? How do I get up on this board?

Shawn

 

[Liquid_force]

Re: Is wakeboarding easier for an old guy than slalom?

Ewww - the old skurfer.
That's not a wakeboard -- it has to be the most ridiculous, impossible to get up on piece of crap that was ever put on the water.
I'd equate it to trying to ride a unicycle when you were looking for a Hayabusa.

My brother and I rode one of those goofy things for about a full season before we got our first wakeboard. Put it down and run away.

You can buy a QUALITY beginner wakeboard set up w/o spending a ton, but $29?? Ain't gonna happen.
Maybe $129 -- and there's nothing wrong with buying used gear. I'm on my 3rd board, and I've never owned a new one.
FWIW - the first board(w/bindings) i bought was a Hyperlite that was at a 2nd hand sporting goods store. From what they told me, and from how it looked - it had never been ridden. They guy they got it from got it as a gift and just didn't want it. It wasn't priced yet, and I assumed it would be a few hundred which was way out of my price range...they let me have it for $100.
That same summer I saw the same exact board/binding combo in 2 different ski shops - both were asking ~$450. There are deals out there if you're looking for one.

a quick ebay search:
http://cgi.ebay.com/Connelly-Wakebo...3QQihZ014QQcategoryZ47363QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

There are several of these "beginner" combos that look decent --
http://cgi.ebay.com/New-Hobie-Wakeb...3QQihZ004QQcategoryZ47363QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

This one looks real nice, and it's quality gear -
http://cgi.ebay.com/138-Liquid-Forc...QQihZ020QQcategoryZ106979QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

http://cgi.ebay.com/BRAND-NEW-CWB-S...QQihZ018QQcategoryZ114269QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

 

[snlgraham]

Re: Is wakeboarding easier for an old guy than slalom?

Thanks for the info Liquid force. I was afraid of that. I am partly relieved that this is a difficult board to ride. Nearly drowned myself(and my ego) trying to get up. When the board slipped my hands hit the edge, had to take off my wedding ring b4 my knuckels swelled. I would still like to give it a whirl, any specific advice for getting up on a skurfer?
Thanks for all the shopping that you did. I won't be able to buy anything for a while. My work is slow in the summer so I can hardly afford boat gas let alone more gear.
Just the same, should I run into a great deal, any idea what size of board I should be on the look out for? I am 6'1" 215lbs, I skate and slalom goofy foot. My shoe size is 13 wide.

 

[Liquid_force]

Re: Is wakeboarding easier for an old guy than slalom?

the easiest way to get on that goofy thing is a dock or shallow water start.

all I remember is that it IS a fight -- you just have to struggle with it until there's enough speed that it starts to track for itself.

I recall trying to teach a friend to ride it -- an extremely athletic 16 y/o. I didn't think he'd have much trouble. After about 10 tries he had to give up.
It is sort of fun to ride if you can ever get on it - at least for a little while. It rides so high on the water - it's just weird. It feels like a skate board with REAL REAL loose axles.
No pop at all though, hard to get much air at all.

As far as board size -- it's not as critical as you might think. I'm about 195 lb. - I've ridden a narrow 141cm, a fairly wide 137cm, and right now an average width 143cm. I'd probably stick with something 140cm+ if I were you. Width could be an issue with 13's, but for the last several years ~17" seems to be about standard mid-width, so you should be ok there.

As far as foot preference -- doesn't matter - a lot of boards are identical front/back. The few that are different are only slightly different. There may be a cosmetic front, but that won't effect the ride.
If the board has an obvious front (like an old single tip) - just make sure you bolt the boots on so your feet are oriented the way you want them.

If you ever get around to shopping -- wakeworld.com is a good reference. They list the specs for a large majority of boards back to the mid '90's. There's also a board finder that lets you enter some basic info and gives you a list of boards that should work well for you.

 

[snlgraham]

Re: Is wakeboarding easier for an old guy than slalom?

Yes!!!
I got up!
Finally had a chance to get back out on the water. Decided I would give the old skurfer one more try before I ditched it. Tried a different technique that I read somewhere. I held the board under water so I was almost standing and as soon as I was stable yelled hit-it. It was really easy. I just glided to the surface of the water and I was up. Can't believe that I worked so hard at it before.
Once up the ride was not that exciting. reminded me of riding a knee board, but standing up. I cut across the wake a couple of times and then lost an edge and it slipped out from under me. Wipe outs don't hurt as bad at 20mph.

That was fun but I think I am going to try skiing again. I found an old O'brien at a garage sale. Remember the one with the aluminum top deck? It even had a cheater on it and a carying case. When I asked the lady at the sale how much they wanted she turned to her husband and said "lets just get rid of it" then she turned to me and said "how bout $5". With out any delay I pulled $5 out of my pocked and handed it to her. as I did I looked up at her husband and saw his jaw drop. I immediatly turned and walked out with my find. Poor guy.... but I wasnt about to help him out.

 

[murphini]

WAKEBOARD-YEs

WAKEBOARD-YEs

At 44, (like (2) 22 year olds....not really.) I started 2 years ago behind our 20' 1989 VIP I/O with 302 v8. Kids wanted to do it so I bought them a 134 sized board and a 143 board on sale for me. I'm about 200#.

It is MUCH EASIER than waterskiing. Slower. More board surface to get up.. very easy arc, cuves in the water. I also put a Monster Tower (www.monstertower.com) on my boat and it's the best $1200 I ever spent. Over the last 3 summers, we've probably taught 50 people how to wakeboard--mostly my teenagers friends, but a lot of adulds--dads AND moms. The tower pulls you right out of the water. I can only think of 2 people that couldn't get up.

if you ever skateboaded in the 70's, snowboarded, or have waterskiied, it's pretty easy. Once the boat gets moving you just rotate it up like an inclinded plane and it pops you on the water. It's easy to turn on your heels first, harder to turn on your toes. You will faceplant, but gets easy quickly.

After 3 summers, I can do ok at mini-jumps (I'm chicken) and can sorta switch before I catch an edge and faceplant.

Last week I slalomed for first time in 2 years and loved it as it was so much faster, but boy did my abdomonimal muscles and hamstrings let me know they got a workout compared with the wakeboard.

You can read the forumns at www.wakeworld.com and there is lots of info. I strongly recommend it. Lots of used boards for sale as people buy better ones, or decide it's not for them.

Beware, don't ride behind a REAL ($50-60k) wakeboard boat because you'll really understand how cool it is. It's just as fun with your current boat.