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WATERSKI MagazineThe wakeboard hop-dock start is a quick and easy way to get going without getting wet. But before trying this one you should be very confident with deepwater starts, seated dock starts and wake 180s.
Dip your board into the water, then let the water drip on your feet for easier binding entry. As you kick your feet into the bindings, get your board into the right position. One or both fins should be over the edge of the dock. Be careful when moving around on the dock because it's easy to damage your fins.
The next step is handling your rope. Take in coils until the line is straight to the boat. Signal your driver to idle out, and let the coils out one at a time. With one coil to go, bend your knees to get ready to jump (Photo 1). Yell “hit it” just before the line gets tight. Time your jump up and out from the dock so that the line tightens up just as you spring (Photo 2). Keep your arms in and low to control the handle position (Photo 3). Swing your board around so that it swings toward the boat (Photo 4). Land with your knees bent and weight slightly back (Photo 5).
As you progress, you can jump higher and farther to really turn the flying dock start into a great show move to start your run. – High-flying Dean Lavelle used his hop-dock start to win the 1996 Wakeboard World Championships.
