Aqua Sports and Hydro Activities 101: What Every Beginning Should Know about Wake Boarding

“Water: The fountain of youth, better skin, less cravings, more energy, better digestion, less headaches, a higher metabolism, better mood, and an ability to concentrate more. That is just from drinking it. Getting out and playing in a big whole body of it is a whole other ballgame”-Author Unknown

So, you are desirous of an activity that would both strengthen your core and upper muscles while getting wet in doing so. With that considered, you have decided to take up wake boarding.

After all, not only does it exercise your muscles, but it would make you look cool while doing it as well. Unfortunately, learning how to wake board is not quite as easy and straightforward as some novices would wish it to be. It takes a lot of balance, stamina and a degree of patience as well. Much like any other sport there is, learning it will be difficult and undoubtedly, it would take a lot of time and perseverance on your part. However, if you are persistent and sure in this endeavor, then soldier on. However, do take note that you might not get it right on your first try and it takes a lot of training before you can fully master the sport.

In any case, if you have been planning to learn how to wake board whether in republic wake park or elsewhere, here are some of the things you need to know:

1.) You will fall…a lot!

Maintaining balance on a wake board is already hard by itself—especially when it starts to move around the water. Every wake boarder is already well aware of how often you would fall down and even on your face sometimes. More often than not, you will not be able to pinpoint why exactly you fell. It may be that one moment you are doing fine and even waving to your friends, and in the next second, you are face-planting and drinking in lake water. The best and seasoned wake boarders are even known to experience this every once in a while. Unfortunately, you probably will not understand what went wrong. It might be your execution was wrong, or the way you placed your foot was off. However, you can rely on your instructor to assist you in refining your technique. Heed their advice the next time you take on the wake board.

2.) It will be tough on your arms

One of the reasons why wake boarding builds arm strength is because the sport itself is incredibly taxing on your arms alone. For the first few minutes, you might not be so bothered by it; you can still pull the rope. But after a few minutes or so, your arms will start to throb, and a dull ache would develop. Ten minutes in and your arms would feel like they are about to fall off. Brace through the pain though, as this is normal and eventually, you will get used to it. As a result, your arm strength would be a lot stronger as well.

3.) It will be easier when you are goofy footed

If you have already tried other sports such as skateboarding, snowboarding, surfing then you would have previously assessed whether you are regular or goofy footed. However, if you are unsure, then one way to determine whether you are is to think about which foot you would naturally kick a ball with. This foot will be your resultant back foot. Once you are in the water, you would be able to tell which foot will be your dominant foot for wake boarding. Whichever feels more natural to you will inevitably be the foot that will point forward.

4.) Water hurts

Most beginners have developed this false sense of security thinking that wake boarding would in no way be harmful. However, much like the case of extreme sports, wake boarding can be potentially painful—especially when you slam yourself in water. On the outset, water might look like a soft landing but once you start skipping along the surface, take a tumble or even catch an edge, you will realize that it is not as smooth as you had initially thought it would be—especially when you are running on high or full speed.

5.) Use a shorter rope when you first start

Shorter ropes make it easier for wake board beginners to stand up and balance themselves on the board. Shorter ropes would mean that the beginner would be in the narrower portion of the wake. Moreover, it is much easier to take instructions yelled by the instructor seeing as you would be in proximity to the boat. As you progress, you can increase the length of the rope used. Longer ropes are for seasoned and advanced riders who wish to gather more speed and air in executing some aerial techniques and tricks. However, as you are still starting out, start with a rope length that is somewhere between 30 and 50 feet.

 

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Five (5) Basic Training Tips For Aspiring Athletes

Sports keep a person fit and active. It shapes an individual physically, mentally and socially. It helps maintain a healthy lifestyle.

How To Train Like An Athlete

Here are five (5) basic tips on how to train well and good like seasoned athletes.

1.       Define your goals and make sure that it matches your interest and lifestyle. Ever heard of the phrase “I train because I want to defeat myself. Defeat the me who couldn’t do it yesterday so I can be better today”? The first step towards becoming a great athlete is digging deep and understanding the key elements that motivate you. What do you want to attain in the future? What’s your reason for wanting to be in that place? What actions do you need to undertake to reach that objective? Suppose you aim to be the first duathlon athlete in your hometown. Perhaps primarily to bring pride to your fellowmen and maybe later on, to represent the country in the international community. Watch past duathlon events in the Philippines and see the skills required to become one. Observe the stamina, perseverance and strength it took to complete the competition. How committed are you to your goal? Duathlon requires exercises that will compel you to run and cycle. Can you accommodate such training regimen given your current schedule and priorities in life?

2.       Keep your workout simple, varied and within your pace.

• Simple. Start with a simple and attainable workout. Do not complicate things especially if you’re a starter in this type of training. Balance them between hard and easy, long and short.
• Varied. It’s basically developing a routine that you will continuously follow day after day after day. In that sense, you will need variations to enjoy the whole experience. If you regularly perform outdoor activities like jogging and cycling in the morning all by yourself, find a buddy who can accompany you to make it more interesting and less boring.
• Within pace. Listen to what your body dictates. Work only on routines you are capable of. You’ll realize you’re past within your limits if you can hardly get up and feel tired all the time.

 3.       It’s all in the mindset.

• Patience. The faster route isn’t always the right route. A failed attempt doesn’t mean you are to give up either. Be patient and take your time.
• Consistency. It takes consistent action to reach success. Maintain a regular sched instead of a random one.
• Stay motivated. Set realistic estimates on what you can accomplish in a week. This is to avoid disappointments and possible burnouts.

 4.       Stay hydrated and eat well. Water, fruits, veggies and proper nutrition are your best friends. They are your fuel so you can run your engine well.

5.       Invest in the right gear and equipment. You wouldn’t want to encourage injuries just because you opted not to use proper safety pieces, would you?