How To Be a Better Wakeboarder - Without Water

Because, let's face it: it's cold. And you really don't want to hop into the lake at this particular moment. But you also don't want to lose your wakeboarding skills. Or maybe, you're so on top of it, you want to improve in the off-season. Well, we are here to tell you how you can do just that! 

1. Watch Videos - Watch as many wakeboarding videos as you can, especially in slow motion. Focus on what the pros do, how they edge, where they have the rope in the air, how they initiate a spin, how they have their weight, etc. You'll be suprised how much you'll learn. Instructional videos are the best choice if you're looking to improve. 



2. Skateboard - No matter where you live, you probably can ride a skateboard. It's cheaper then buying a snowboard and paying for a lift ticket too! Skateboarding will definitely help your balance and board control. It will also help you learn to ride switch better. Here's your challenge: riding switch on a skateboard is harder then a wakeboard. So go master it! Longboards are a choice by many wakeboarders for off season training.



3. Lift Weights - While wakeboarding might not seem like a sport that requires great strength, it is important to be strong and in good shape. Full-body workouts will help get you where you need to be strength-wise. Strong hands, forearms, biceps, and back help you pull out rough landings, hold the rope strong, and edge with upper body strength. Your abs and lower back help your spinning and flipping, because they are the center of the body. Having strong legs is important to stabilize yourself on landings. If you can't lift weights do abdominal exercises and do some running or other physical activity to stay in shape.



4. Trampoline Training - This one sounds like the most fun. You can use a trampoline to simulate tricks you'd do on the water. It allows you to practice the tricks over and over as you learn good technique. You can work on grabs, spins, flips, and grabbed-spinning-flips all day long. Tip: Tie a wakeboard handle or handle and rope to a nearby tree or post. The handle will help keep you on your balance while simulating wakeboarding better.



5. Stretching - Stretching in the offseason can help you in two major ways. First, it helps keep your muscles limber all winter so you are less likely to get injured when you start riding again. Second, it can help increase your flexibility and coordination which will allow you to grab the board easier, have more body control, etc. To increase flexibility, you should only stretch to where you start to feel a little tightness, and hold your stretch for 30 seconds or more. You should stretch all the muscles in your body, because we use them all when riding.



What things are you doing in the offseason to prep for a wakeboarding-filled summer?

Tips derived from wakeboarder.com