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WATERSKI MagazineTake a long, sweeping turn that's bound to send a legion of rollers down the lake and your slalom skier will most likely strangle you after his set. Do the same thing with a boarder on the end of the line and he'll likely step back into the boat and give you a big wet kiss.
This wide, slow turn that from above looks like a cloverleaf on-ramp is called the double-up for three reasons: It doubles the wake size, a boarder's air and his fun. By swinging the boat path across itself, you create a super-high crest that's guaranteed to send a rider into the clouds. Here's how.
Proceed down your normal wakeboard path – straight. At the end of the lake, instead of swinging slightly left or right and setting up for a dumbbell turn, initiate a fairly tight circle, much like you would around a turn island. Next, sight your wake as you come around – not your boat path, but your wake. Drive perpendicular toward it. Remember that wakes thrown from the boat spread out in a “V.” You will need to compensate for this angle. Instead of powering through the turn, hold your speed constant. Once you reach the wake, drive straight across it.
The icing on this cake is a convergence of wakes that is nearly twice the size of a regular boat wake. The double-up takes practice, both for driver and rider. Work on it, and the height – and the fun – will increase in bunches.
