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Ride the Wake: Wakeboarding

FitSugar — Mon, 09 Jul 2007 09:30:00 -0700

Wakeboarding is like snowboarding on water. If you have experience with surfing, water skiing, snowboarding, or skateboarding, you'll have to try wakeboarding. It's one of those sports that you can really get into if you like to work on cool tricks. Why is it called "wakeboarding?" The wake is the wave that the motorboat's engine kicks up behind the boat as the boat moves forward. It's a little rockier than still lake water, and that's what makes it fun to ride.

Basically it's a lot like water skiing, where a rider gets towed behind a motorboat, but instead of facing forward, the rider is sideways. This is a little bit obvious because of its name, but another major difference is you ride on a board not a pair of skis. This makes doing flips and spins easier since both your feet are attached to the board (instead of being separated on 2 skis). People don't really do tricks on water skis unless they're using trick skis that are shorter and have no fins.

All you need is a big open lake, a motorboat, a life jacket, a tow line (the rope you hold onto), a wakeboard, a driver, and someone else in the boat to watch the rider. This person's job is very important - they let the driver know if the rider has let go of the tow line, and point out where they are floating in the water (sometimes it's tough to see the bobbing person).

You don't have to have any water skiing experience in order to wakeboard, just like you don't have to ski before you snowboard. I definitely recommend taking a lesson so you can learn some basic skills, like getting up since this can be the hardest part. Like with everything, practice is the key.

You've got to check out this video of a woman using a trampoline to practice her wakeboard tricks, so

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Multitasking Move: Tipping Row

FitSugar — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 12:00:00 -0700

I like to make my gym time count by working multiple body parts with one exercise, and the Tipping Tow does just that. The rowing action targets the back of the shoulder as well as the upper back, and the tipping part seriously challenges the core. Not to mention, lifting your leg behind your targets your hamstrings and glutes. That's a lot of action for one move.

To see how to do the Tipping Row, just read more.

Stand with your right foot back holding a 5-pound dumbbell in each hand. Your left knee should be slightly bent. Inhale to prepare.
Exhale pull your abs toward your spine and tip forward, lifting your right leg up while your torso lowers (make one long line from the tip of your right toe to the top of your head). Bend your elbows out to the sides, bringing the weights to your chest (just like the bent over row).
Inhale and return to starting position.
A slightly easier variation, try tipping forward then rowing rather than doing them simultaneously.
Do two sets of 10 reps on each side.

Fit's Tip: Make sure your are adequately warmed up before performing this exercise. You don't want to pull a hamstring. Also, if balancing on one leg is proving difficult, practice Warrior 3. This pose will surely help you with this position.

Safety Tips for Water Skiing

FitSugar — Fri, 08 Jun 2007 11:00:00 -0700

I am so psyched for the warm weather. It's not quite time to slip on those water skis since the water temperature is still rather nippy, but it's a good time to start getting excited about it.

Water skiing is an exciting and challenging sport. All it takes is a motor boat, someone to drive the boat, an extra person in the boat to watch the skier, a life jacket, a pair of water skis, and a tow line (the rope you hold onto). It requires a love of speed and the water, tons of upper and lower body strength, and delicate balance to stay up. Once you get going, nothing compares to the exhilarating feeling of flying through the air and riding on the water. It gives new meaning to the word fast!

If you've never tried it before, I definitely recommend having a private instructor show you how, since there are a few risks involved with this sport. I have some strong suggestions for how to ski and boat safely. Want to see them? Then read more

Always have an observer in the boat - the driver doesn't count.
Always wear your life jacket, even if you know how to swim.
Always water ski in calm water - a big lake is perfect.
Stay clear of congested areas, with no other boats or swimmers around.
Never water ski in the dark - it is both dangerous AND illegal.

With all that said, don't be discouraged if it takes you a while to stand up. You've got to bend your knees into your chest, keep your arms straight, lean back slightly, let the boat pull you, and then stand up. Once you figure it all out, you'll be loving this new sport.

Hey check this out - my friend Giggle found a water skiing squirrel! Good thing that lady was there to catch little Twiggy since he wasn't wearing a life jacket!

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