Any free online instructional video's out there that are worth viewing?

I don't have a tower, but the kids have all managed to wakeboard successfully behind my boat. I tried it and failed miserably with each tow attempt. Just tons of pressure against the board and then I get pulled forward over the board.

Board too small for me? 170 pounds
Driver going too slow, too fast?
Need to improve upper body strength relative to total body weight?
I was thinking this was a skill requiring 90% technical and 10% strength.

I'm thinking of giving it one more try this summer. Never had trouble with any sport before this!

My son learned by watching some instructional videos on YouTube, and expertvillage.com. Check out those two sites for the basics. It only took him 2 tries and he was up. Edge of board tipping out of water, lean back, knees bent, butt to board. Once up, one fluid motion to a standing and twist at hips. looks easy enough........

Too funny...I ALSO tried for the first time this weekend, with the same miserable results. My son, pops up, no problem. I, on the other hand...just dragged behind the boat. For some reason I couldn't get the board to plane on the water. I even tried the wake skis.....no luck

I've skied before, sure it was a loooong time ago, but it's not something you forget. Me on the other hand, am not giving up...I'm getting a 141cm big-boy board...hopefully that will work for me.

You are trying to stand up to soon and sinking the board. Once the board sinks, over you go. Stay squated until you are up, then stand up. After awhile you will get it and be able to do it in one fluid movement.

Mark

What MarkB said, plus I have found it helps if the driver just eases you up, instead of trying to power you up. Some boats have too much power for a full-sized guy's area of resistance, and you can't hang onto the handle. You can wakeboard at a surprising low speed (my kids get a kick out of doing it in the 10mph zone), so you do not need to go fast.

As Troop and Mark said, I have had the best results with first timers by EASING them up. when in doubt pull slower. Unless you board is shorter than 134 its not the board. DOnt forget to push with your toes,makes a better angel and less preasure. After you do it once, you wont believe how easy it is. Dont over think it just do it. Just look where you want to go. if you look down at your board, Im sure it looks way cool, that is where you go. Head up... gets up... head down... goes down. Have fun

You probably need about a 137cm board. There is a lot of instructional information here.

Most people I try to help, try to turn the board to soon, stand up to soon, or think it requires you pulling youself up. Heels to your butt, let the boat and board do the work. I have found weaker people get up faster.

In my first attempt, I followed those videos and kept my board perpendicular while pointing the toes. All that happened was I ended up creating a wall of water and my fingers got smashed between the handle and wakeboard. I ended up with back pain.

I ditched what the videos said and went back on my slalom skills. As I screamed “hit it” and the boat begins to move, I sink the back leg a little so that the corner tip of where my front foot side is sticking out of the water… maybe only 5 inches. I pop up even at a slow speed. I taught my daughter to do that and she was up in no time.

Biggest trick on towing a wakeboard is the driver.

On skis you yank the skier out of the water. On a board, you slowly bring them up.

Look at www.moomba.com under the rider videos they keep it simple.

I think I have figured out my problem....my heels haven't been that close to my butt since two days after I was born....

Color me....inflexible I suppose!

seems like ya gotta bend over backwards to help yourself.

Assume the position!

Just remember... there's a thin line between leaning forward and bending over.

Here is the way I got up and started to get up almost everytime. I have the board Perpendicular to the boat and submerged in the water. I actually am squatting on the board with the board at a slight angle. Pull me up slowly. Once I am up on plane, I ry to stuff the rope in my back pocket to turn the board.

Good luck.