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WATERSKI MagazineThe wake helicopter is an easy intermediate-level trick that you can learn if you can jump the wake consistently. You will probably want the rope length near 32 off (43 feet) with a boat speed of 19-20 mph. Before trying the trick, get into a rhythm by jumping the wake from both sides with a palms-down grip. Do not cut aggressively toward the wake. Adjust your cut so that you are landing and sliding smoothly down the other side of the wake.
When you've got the cut down, take it into the wake (Photo 1). Initiate the helicopter at the peak of the wake by pulling the handle to the hip farthest from the boat (right hip in these photos) while turning your head over your left shoulder (Photo 2).
Keep your eyes looking where you want to go (not where you are going) at all times. Turning your head turns your shoulders, which turns your body. If your head isn't turning, you aren't rotating. A good way to keep your body on axis is to keep your eyes level with the horizon. Don't look at the horizon; just keep your eyes level with it as you turn your head.
Turn your head to the outside and pull the handle across your body (Photo 3).
Passing the handle is not as difficult as it might seem. Both hands should be on the handle as it reaches your lower back and as you reach the point where your back faces the boat (Photo 4). As you release to complete your rotation, keep the handle in as close to your waist as possible. Keeping the handle in while continuing to look around and toward the boat will complete your rotation (Photo 5). The landing, just like you practiced, should occur on the down-slope of the opposite wake (Photo 6).
