Airchair help!!!?

Question

I'm just starting to learn how to ride an airchair, and I can only stay up for a couple seconds before I eat water.. Does anyone have any tips for me on how I can steer and generally just stay up!!

Answer 1

There are several things to keep in mind when you're just beginning to learn to ride.  First, do NOT attempt to ride on the foil right away; you need to learn the how to steer first.  Have the driver keep the speed at about 15-16 at first; the faster you go, the more lift the foil generates and this will tend to be harder to control.  Since you said that you're getting up, I'll assume that you're able to transition to a riding stance ( at least for a few seconds ) and so will skip that part.  When you do get to a riding stance, shift your weight forward significantly and hold the ski handle fairly high.  The position of the ski handle has a direct impact to your raising and descending; move the handle up to go down and vise versa.  This will feel very strange at first, but you have to get used to it.  Your goal is to keep the board on the water, this will make it much more stable.  Steering is then accomplished by pointing your knees in the direction you want to go, which at first, should always be to the back of the boat.  Use the ski rope as leverage to point your knees, so basically, always try to keep you knees under the ski rope.  This should get you to a point where you'll be able to spend some time above water and can get the feel of how to balance and turn.  Remember, it only takes VERY small movements to change direction and attitude, especially when you're learning.  Try to avoid over compensating and keep your movements small.  You're then ready to start raising the board out of the water; slowly lower the ski handle and you will rise up.  Do "touch and goes" until you feel comfortable controlling the altitude.

Just one last thing, beginners tend to look down at the water.  This will make you loose your perspective and control.  Always look at the back of the boat.

That should get you started.  Good luck!

TB