|
In the Game
Wakeboarding
by Kelley Sullivan
|
As the heat of the summer sets in, more and more Austinites
are heading toward the water. Whether seeking solace from
the intense rays or just looking for a way to have fun with
friends, wakeboarding is a great sport for getting some sun,
having fun and cooling off. But don’t be fooled, this
sport which actually originated in Austin, involves a good
dose of concentration, agility and athleticism. From beginners
to seasoned competitors, wakeboarding is a sport sure to challenge
even the fittest of athletes during the summer months.
GETTING STARTED
WakeWorld, an online wakeboarding magazine, is a great way
to educate yourself about the sport. From discussion groups
to news, the beginner and veteran alike can find useful information
at www.wakeworld.com. According to the experts at WakeWorld,
beginners should expect the boat to go 10 to 20 mph when starting
out, giving them a chance to acclimate to the wakeboard and
also gain confidence in handling it. This speed allows most
beginners to practice tricks like surface 180s and surface
360s. But depending on how comfortable you feel with your
“sea legs,” Wakeworld suggests you might be able
to handle speeds of up to 24 mph.
Clueless about what type of board suits your skill level?
Simply plug your information into WakeWorld’s handy
database (www.wakeworld.com/wizard) and you’ll receive
a list of boards that may work for you. You can modify your
search according to the amount of money you want to spend
and the companies you prefer. This is a great resource to
use before you head to the shop to get outfitted.
ASK A WAKEBOARDER
Ali Alazzawi, a seven-year wakeboarding veteran and employee
in the wakeboarding and water skiing department at Sail and
Ski, shares some ideas about what it takes to ride the wake.
For starters, he suggests being properly outfitted before
hitting the water. “You need to get the right size and
model board (according to your weight) and find a comfortable
boot,” Alazzawi says. Alazzawi also recommends preparing
yourself physically for the ride by stretching. “Stretching
is super important, especially if you have knee and joint
pain. It’s always good to stretch and get loose.”
Finally, Alazzawi says he enjoys the sport because it allows
him to challenge himself and spend time with friends and family.
“It’s great because everyone can do it, the boat
speed is slower than water skiing and the falls are less painful.”
However, some words of wisdom for first-time boarders: go
with the flow and don’t fight the boat. And most importantly,
Alazzawi encourages novices “not to sweat it and just
have fun.”
|
