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WATERSKI MagazineIf you've been pulling wakeboarders lately, you know that counter-steering and working the throttle aren't limited to slalom runs over 30 mph. Wakeboarders can slow down the boat and yank you around every bit as much as a decent shortline skier.
Yet driving for boarding takes a little more subtleness. Steering wheel movements and throttle adjustments are magnified when skiing in the 16- to 21-mph range. Hammer down the throttle after a hard cut and you're liable to send your rider right out of his boots during a move. Consider the following tips when steering and throttling for wakeboarding.
Steering
* Anticipate hard cuts. Watch for the boarder in the rearview mirror. When he's loading up the rope and getting ready for a big cut, move the wheel slightly in the opposite direction he's cutting. By making the wheel movement prior to the big move, you're less likely to get pulled off a straight line and interrupt the wake pattern behind.
* Use your observers as guides. They can relay to you what the rider will be doing.
* Let the rider tell you when to turn. Once the boat rolls into a turn, the outside wake will fold over and create a foam wall that could spell disaster for a trick. A lot of times you'll have to initiate the turn because you're running out of room, however. In this scenario, signal your rider before you swing around.
Throttling
* Work off the tachometer, not the speedos. Speedometers can fluctuate greatly during a wakeboard run, and are usually slow to react. Keep the tach nailed to a number.
* Like steering, anticipate big cuts. Don't let the speed drop at any time during the run. Counter-throttle slightly to offset the rider slowing the boat down on a big carve toward the wakes, or outside them.
* Use your fingers. This will give you more sensitivity and enable you to make movements that are tighter and smaller than if you are using your entire hand. This way, you won't overshoot the speed once the boat catches up.
* The arm pad is your friend. Use it. If your boat doesn't have an arm pad, bolster your elbow against the gunwale. This will enable you to use your fingers to control the throttle.
