Have you ever adjusted your wakeboarding stance? Or have you been riding with your wakeboard set up from the time you bought it to now? If your answer is yes, you’ve landed in the right spot to learn whether it’s time to switch it up or not.
There are many stances you can choose from on a wakeboard. Your stance should feel comfortable and where you feel you have the most control. Stances on a wakeboard are not one size fits all, so making sure you are in the right stance is important and can help you as the rider. Keep reading to learn what’s right for you.
Starting Out
When you are first learning to wakeboard, you’ll often start with a standard position called the 12/12 position. This is where the numbers on the boots are set to 12 and the boots are placed in the middle of the board. This is a typical starting stance for most people.
Although the 12/12 position is a great starting point, it’s not always the ideal stance for every rider. Finding your perfect stance may take some trial and error.
Another position that is popular is having your front foot at 15 and your back foot at 6. The 15/6 position is one that some riders find comfortable since both feet aren’t angled out. If you want to ride switch this type of position could make that more challenging.
If both stances are uncomfortable, try something different. If you snowboard, try a similar stance on your wakeboard since it is already a stance that feels comfortable for you. Wakeboarding stances are not one size fits all and can take time to find your perfect stance. Just keep trying something new until you find one that feels good for you.
Balance and Control
Getting up is half of the battle but staying up is also a challenge. If you are struggling to get up or keep the board under control we suggest moving your stance on your wakeboard stance. When your stance is too narrow or too wide the board can be hard to control.
Your wakeboarding stance is vital to how you perform on the board. A stance that works for one person doesn’t always work for another. Moving your stance could help. In your wakeboarding stance you should feel comfortable and stable.
Feeling Discomfort?
If you are feeling discomfort or strain in your back or legs, you should adjust your stance. This could be because the stance you are in is too aggressive or awkward for your body. When you are wakeboarding, you want to feel comfortable.
We suggest starting out in a shoulder-width stance when you are new to wakeboarding. If this causes discomfort or pain, try moving your bindings out to the next setting. Your bindings don’t have to be symmetrical either, some riders find that having their bindings in an asymmetrical position is more comfortable.
Muscle soreness is normal especially if you aren’t going wakeboarding all the time because you are using muscles you may not be used to. Having discomfort or strain is a different story. Adjusting your stance can help alleviate some of that strain or discomfort. Wakeboarding should be a workout yes, but it should not be painful.
Struggling With Tricks?
Landing tricks is challenging, but you add a challenge when you are in the wrong stance. Changing your stance can help you land that trick you have been trying. Being in the wrong stance for you can affect the overall performance of the board.
Changing your stance on the wakeboard changes the performance of the board and can help the rider in the long run. This allows for more maneuverability of your board helping you control the speed of the board and landing different tricks.
Time to Hit the Water
Wakeboarding stances are not one size fits all. Changing your stance on the wakeboard can not only help you land tricks, but help you progress faster and ride more comfortably. Wakeboarding is not always easy especially if you are riding in the wrong stance. Changing your stance can make a huge difference and help you progress faster.
