Wakeboard Problems
 

Hey folks,

I'm brand new to wakeboarding. Recently I bought a new Wellington JackKnife wakeboard, with high wrap bindings.

http://www.wellingtoninc.com/watersports/wakeboard.htm

On the weekend the family and I were out in the boat, and wanted to try it out. The problem is, no one could get their feet into the bindings, as they seemed just way too tight. My daughter managed to get one foot in [ladies size 6] but she said it just felt much too tight, and did not bother with the second foot. She has done this a few times before, so I have to beleive her when she said it was just not right... Even getting her one foot back out was a real chore! I cannot image if she fell, and then the bindings are suppose to release....

The bindings are adjusted as large as they will go, and the manufacturer claims these bindings are good up to a mens size 12. I don't see how that would be possible...

Any possible suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

Re: Wakeboard Problems
 

Are those universal high wraps on that page the ones you have on the board?

Many high wraps will have a couple of velcro straps around the heel that you can undo to loosen the binding to get your foot in and out (or laces of some sort on the front).

Regardless of having adjustable straps or not, get yourself a can of gel shaving cream and keep it with your board. Dip the board and your feet in the water to wet the bindings and your feet. Open the top of the boot and squirt a line of shaving cream across the top of the opening. Close the binding and work it back and forth a couple times spreading the gel across the entry to the binding. With your foot still wet, slide it into the binding. Once your feet are in the bindings, sit on the swim platform or get in the water. Work your heel up and down a few times (this will rinse the gel out of the boots and make your feet stick in the boot).

In is always easier than getting out. My foot rarely comes out of my binding when I fall on my slalom ski. A few years ago I actually sprained my ankle on a wipe out because of this. My recommendation is that if you're just learning, high wraps might not be what you want on that board. Once you get better at it, you will want the high wraps because your feet won't slip around and you can torque on the the board a bit more.

Re: Wakeboard Problems
 

Thanks for the info!

I was reading on another site about the dangers of having just one foot come out, in the event of a fall. I can see how that could become very nasty...

I'll pick up some shaving gell and give it a try next time out. I am use to the ones on water skis, so I naturally assumed they should fit about the same way.

The bindings you see in the link, are the same ones that came on the board, which I was told was for a newbe. Are these not really the correct bindings for someone just starting out?

Thanks,

Re: Wakeboard Problems
 

Those look like fine bindings for starting out. I would expect they will loosen up a bit after you use them a few times.

You might find that you have to grease up your toes and arch to get your foot in the first few times.

These bindings are more along the lines of what I was talking about as a "high wrap". If your leg comes out of one of these, then that means your foot has just fallen off :eek_animated:

http://www.shopwiki.com/Wakeboard+Binding?sb=1

Re: Wakeboard Problems
 

Shaving cream...wish I'd though of that before I started buying Moose Juice. I didn't need binding lube with my old bindings, then I started riding my bro-in-laws Liquid Force and I'd be worked just fighting to get the bindings on. When I bought my Shabah, the guy threw in his almost new wakeboard with CWB bindings and I'm much happier now. They are similar to my Flow snowboard bindings that release in the back and are a breeze to get in to.......... http://www.the-house.com/wkbcwva019z...-bindings.html

Re: Wakeboard Problems
 

I've found that Hair conditioner works the best.