Barefootin’ advice

I second that notion...we got a boom with the boat purchase...but barefooting is one thing we haven't tried. We have wetsuits...and a crazy enough mindset to do it...just haven't spent the time to figure out how.

The boom is the best and safest way to start to learn how to foot.
There are a number of ways to do boom starts. First grab teh boom directly with a step off ski and let the boat get up to speed, set one foot in water bend your knee, shift weight to the foot in the water drop ski and foot away.
Second use a wake board with no bindings and grab the boom directly while laying on the board, let the boat get to speed and bend your knees and stand up let the board fall away and your footin.
Third. Grab the boom and lay on your stomachlet the boat get up to about 15 or till your sac says its time to turn over then pull your knees to your chest and pull your feet to the front, ride on your but bend your knees and set them gently in hte water and foot away.
As you master the boom grab attach a barefoot handle directly to the boom and repet the above.
Oh Yeah keep your toes up.

You'll want to sit on the wakeboard with your legs spread wide and your feet just out of the water. You should be able to balance on the board while sitting in the water. You'll want to lean back and keep your feet out of the water as the boat starts to pull you- once youre on plane its pretty easy to control.

The boom should be around shoulder height to give you some upwards pull.

I learned to barefoot by swinging myself around on the boom, and then longline by stepping off a ski- I promise you that the wakeboard is easier! It allows you to transfer your weight to your feet slowly, while keeping your center of balance very low. If you are bouncing on the wakeboard, you need to move your weight forward. Like backdeep mentioned, remove the bindings if necessary.

Dude; I was just thinking of saying that to you and your post popped up! Great minds think alike!

Take a look through here footersedge, read it all and buy the instructional DVD. You will be barefooting safely in no time.

I use a combination of all of the techniques above.

1st. If you are using a correct craft with a 2001 hull or older you are going to need a boom with an extension to get out of the spray.

2nd. I don't agree that the boom is the safest way to learn how to barefoot at first. You really need to know what you are doing on the boom before you just jump out there and try it.

3rd. Let go. You are not a hero for holding on and banging yourself up. If you feel akward on the boom or on the line, let go and figure out what the problem is.


I usually start people out on an old wakeboard that I coverd with neoprene. The neoprene makes the board stick to the barefoot suit and if you decide to fall on it, it will hurt less. I also put people on a shorter rope behind the boat (30'-50' or so). The short rope makes it easier to get outside of the wake and also puts you in a nice spot with smooth water.

I have people put their feet in at 20 and then take them up to speed. If there is anything that I see wrong I just stop. No 30+ mph falls this way. Most of the position errors can be fixed before they even get up to barefoot speed.

After a few pulls on the rope I put people on the boom to tune them up. You just have to make sure they do not ski on the boom a lot or they will become dependant on it.

Have fun.

Tim

Hmmm...interesting. It seems the only things I have are a wetsuit, boom, spare wakeboard and the willingness to take a couple rough tumbles. No one in the boat will have any experience except what I've learned in the this post. I'll think we'll be waiting until the cooler temps to try...too hot for the wetsuit right now.

Just playing around while we slalom, we'll bump the boat up to 31ish and we take our back foot out and basically ride one in the ski, the other barefooting. It's a long way from barefooting...but gives an idea of how it feels on your foot.

For the stance: I've seen video and pictures...basically keep your weight back, legs bent...similar to doing a heelslide on the wakeboard?

If you don't have someone to help teach you get an instructional DVD and learn how to do it without all the crashes otherwise please forward the address to where we can send flowers during your recovery.

See my post above for all the help you need.

The Boat-80,

Where are you from?

Here's what you do then, follow this thread and hook up with us mid september and you will be barefooting in one afternoon or I ain't the Magicman Fall Midwest Mini-reunion

Thanks TRBenj and Backdeep1!!

I am pleased to tell you that we had two successful runs each this morning using the boom and the kneeboard. We'd have done more if it didn't get rough so quick!!

I will say it took a few tries getting the board to cooperate, but I am amazed at the ease of the combo once you get the feel!!

Boat-80, go for it man!!

Thanks for all the input. Ready for round two!
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Do you have a skylon or tower? It really helps to get a good upward pull when you are behind the boat. It simulates the upward pull from the boom. I like to set up my boom and my skylon as I learn a trick at the boom I move the rope to the skylon and try it out back. The pull from the skylon helps a ton.
Pretty soon we will have you riding backwards.

Good luck! Keep your toes up!

I used to do quite a bit of footing....deep water and beach starts...we just started using a boom this week and there is not much to it. Driving speed helps...we get the boom pretty high by getting weight to the opposite side, drag on our tummies/thighs and pull the legs in and around ...when the boat reaches 20mph or less swing around a stick the feet down...as soon as the feet start plaining we crank the speed to about 35...at that point the skier can put almost all wieght down and rely less on pulling up. also as the speed incleases , we shift weight in the boat to center to bring the boom height down to chest hight.Even one foot stuff becomes easy!

It's pretty darned fun!!!!

Tommorow my boy's want to try the long line and kick a ski....face plant city!!!

I really like the boom...my body can't take the falls at 40 mph...the boom allows me the chance to stll feel the water at my feet and not blow a knee out!