In this wakeboard how to, Olivier Derome gets things rolling with one of the first grabbed inverts.
Go Step by Step
Start by edging out about 2 to 3 feet farther than you normally would, then cut into the wake with a more aggressive approach. As you edge in, make sure to keep your elbows in and your upper body strong. When you reach the base of the wake, roll off your heelside edge and adjust your shoulders so they are parallel to the boat. As you pop off the wake, your entire body should point up in a straight line. Bring your knees up into your chest, lock into the grab and let your head go back to follow the rotation. While upside down, spot your landing early then hold onto the grab as long as possible before putting down your landing gear.
Position Correctly
Remember to square off at the top of the wake and keep your chest upright when coming off of it. And most importantly, don’t throw your head back until your knees come into your chest for the grab.
Grab Early
A lot of riders don’t take the time to get the grab before flipping, but I say go for the grab before you worry about the invert. After all, if you commit to your grab, the flop will come automatically.
Go Further
Once you’re solid on the indy tantrum, it’s time to get creative. Play around with different grabs and how long you hold them to make it your own, and work in a shifty to add some style. Finally, move on to an indy tantrum to blind to take it to the next level.
As Told to: Vanessa Hornedo Photo: Thomas Gustafson
