How to Double Up on a Wakeboard

These days it's all about the big air. And when just hitting the wake at 100 percent velocity is not enough, it's time to learn how to "double up." Doubling up is when your boat driver turns around in a big circle so that your old wake and your new wake meet at an angle to form a liquid launch ramp. Get ready to soar.

Difficulty: Moderately challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Life Vests
• Ski Boats
• Wakeboard
• Water Ski Ropes
• Wet Suits

1. Talk to your driver beforehand about doubling up and which way you like to do it. If you ride left foot forward, your driver should turn to the right, and vice versa.

2. Ride on the inside of the boat's loop as it goes into its turn.

3. Cut toward your boat's current wake as you see the old wake approaching it.

4. Slow down just slightly to gain control and put tension in your rope.

5. Keep the rope tight and bunny hop as you meet the wakes' convergence. Try to jump off the point that's formed as the two wakes meet. This will take some practice.

6. Pull your knees up as you jump, then tweak, grab, contort, twist and say hello to the birdies. Congratulations - you're now flying.

7. Bend your knees to absorb the shock of your landing, laugh and get set to do it again.

Tips & Warnings

• This is a timing thing, so it may take a few runs before you and your driver get your rhythm down together.
• Have the driver veer slightly to the left before beginning a right-hand loop (and vice versa). Have the boat slow down as it veers, then speed up going into the loop. This, according to many experts, is the optimal technique.
• Adding weight to the back of the boat will make its wake bigger, and thus a better jump ramp.
• Bigger air equals bigger danger.
• Always wear a life jacket and observe proper boating safety when you wakeboard.

Who Can Help:

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on 7/31/2006 You get up by having your board sideways and the rope at the front of the leg that is in front when you're riding. You have your driver start out slow and then you put about 60% of your weight on your back foot and 40% of your weight on your front foot, then try to move your back foot so your body is straight.

on 6/30/2006 Always try hitting the first one first. It is the smallest. You will still go huge if you've got the timing right. Once you get use to it, throw down!

on 11/22/2005 More weight means a bigger wake, but don't overload the boat. If you put all the weight in the back of the boat, then it will take forever to plain off. It would be smartest to put weight in the back AND front in a 1:2 ratio (2 being in the back and 1 being in the front). Putting weight in the back doesn't make the wake bigger but steeper.