dont ever let go

[slickchaos]

I didnt want to hijack the other thread... now people were talking about dont ever let go of the ski ( bail) i just started riding the SJ so im starting to hit the small waves, but wanted to know whats the theory on not letting go of the ski when u think u gonna crash and burn.. does it almost always mean you will hit the ski ? :brap:

 

[BossBailey]

No not always, but it only takes one time.

 

[SJBrit]

The "don't ever let go" advice is most important when you're getting inverted. The backflip is the most obvious case. Now, I've never pulled one off, but I have quite a few half flips under my belt, and there is a huge temptation to let go. If you do that, the ski is coming down on top of you and you're going to get smacked. If you hang on, you can keep the ski off you with your arms and legs. When you hit the water the ski pushes you under, and stops at (or near) the surface. It's really not bad at all, as long as you never let go....

There are other occasions when a tactical bail is well worth it - you'll know when you need too. If you're right side up and heading for a bone to hull kind of impact, then throwing the ski away can really save you some pain. BUT it's risky - if you don't throw it far enough you're in for a nasty impact.

 

[Speedfreak]

When your first starting to learn to ride you don't want to let go so you won't have to swim to the ski. If you swim to the ski 25 times your day will be cut short because of how tired you are. If you just don't let go you will have the ski right there. So you can get up and try it again.

I have never tried a back flip but I have soared off of some huge waves and said many times "wow that was stupid" the first time I threw the ski away it log rolled between the waves and I thought there was no way that I would ever see my ski again. Since that one time I have never shoved the ski off again. Like a captian and his ship we go down together. Since then I have even got cought and log rolled down a wave with the ski...LOL My first time in the ocean...:bigeyes:

 

[LBE]

It is a bit of trial and error IMO. For the most part I hold on to almost everything. For me it seems natural when to kick out and when to hold on. You shouldn't need to bail on most things IMO.

 

[stanton]

ive learned to use the bail wisely.
try your hardest not to get seperated if another wave is coming, like the first set of waves.
jump at the last possible split second, you want to hit the water close so you can grab a rail asap
if your riding with someone that knows wtf they will help you, just grab the rail and hold on!
dont forget to use the waves, the ski will get pushed much faster than you. as a ex surfer ive found vests SUCK for swimming in the ocean!
dont let go sounds so much easier than it is.

 

[wydopen]

as a ex surfer ive found vests SUCK for swimming in the ocean!
d.

x2..and a full face helmet...

 

[GPnVB]

I thought about letting go once...........

I didn't get far enough away I guess. Two severely sprained ankles and one broken ankle later, I try not to think about letting go.

 

[slickchaos]

ewww

are u trying to make me sell my SJ ?




u'll have to do better than that... hope your ok now ?

good news though, i wont be hitting the ocean any time soon.. ill be on the lake for hte next 2 months hitting boat waves.. smaller and managable.. until im comfortable balancing...

 

[GPnVB]

haha, no I'd never try to talk someone out of their SJ, unless you'd want to let it go cheap.

I'm fine now but it hurt and physical therapy 3 times a week for 5 months sucked.

Good, padded footwells make me a lot more comfortable.

 

[sjetrider]

My name is Brian and I am a RECOVERING BAILER. I can honestly say that 95% of my bails were not in my best interest. I try to stay with the ski at all times NOW. It is harder that it sounds, but it is worth the concious effort to stay with the ski. I have avoided major body injury when bailing (LUCKILLY), but the ski jas not been so lucky and I know my luck will run out if I continue to bail.

 

[SJBrit]

concious effort to stay with the ski.

Absolutely - you have to tell yourself to hold on.

In the ocean, being separated form the ski is a major issue, but not so much on the lake. If you get out of shape jumping cruiser wakes then a bail can be your friend. Like I said, in the other thread, if you can't land without at least one hand on the ski then my advice is to get the hell off it. I stuck with the "never let go" advice when I was laid all the way back with my feet in the holds and my hands a long way from the ski, and got a broken keg and 2 months off riding as a result. Never again....

 

[Glory_Freestyle]

BUT it's risky - if you don't throw it far enough you're in for a nasty impact.

Amen to that. Here's what happened to me in Daytona when I tried to kick the ski away from me when I screwed up a Ballbuster and came down from about 8ft in the air.

 

[yamaslut]

the only time I would consider bailing would be if I was higher than 20ft on a really over/under rotated flip, or roll. Other than that, never let go...

if you do have to bail, always kick your feet out and hold the ski w/ your hands till the last second or you are totally clear of it. you need to be able to move the ski away from your body...

 

[SJBrit]

Amen to that. Here's what happened to me in Daytona when I tried to kick the ski away from me when I screwed up a Ballbuster and came down from about 8ft in the air.

Damn! That's nasty....

 

[Takeastand SJ]

Only let go if you know you can get away from the ski, it takes a little practice. Bad things happen when you don't get away from the ski (see pics), that is why you hear don't let go.

 

[yamaslut]

Only let go if you know you can get away from the ski, it takes a little practice. Bad things happen when you don't get away from the ski (see pics), that is why you hear don't let go.

ouchy... broken hand???
what happened to ya??

 

[Takeastand SJ]

Ya broke hand in Bali, you can see in the pic how bad my hand is dented. Hand is still F'd, but getting a little better 10 months later. That started off as a small 1 hand 1 foot nose stab, ended up in a yard sale. But Indo beyatches dig wounds!!!!!

 

[yamaslut]

Ya broke hand in Bali, you can see in the pic how bad my hand is dented. Hand is still F'd, but getting a little better 10 months later. That started off as a small 1 hand 1 foot nose stab, ended up in a yard sale. But Indo beyatches dig wounds!!!!!

yeah.... that hurt

 

[Mark44]

ouch

I feel the pain I let go once and landed on the ski.

Mark44