NOW, let me reveal for the first time ever my list of the top 5 tumble turn felonies!

1. Poor technique; read this article or see it in action on my video by clicking here.
2. Incorrect speed-99% of the people drive way too fast
3. Poor set-up; boom height, rope length
4. Bad wetsuit; I am constantly surprised at how people will try this trick in a wetsuit that is not
   meant for barefooting or a wetsuit that is too large. If your wetsuit flaps painfully against your
   lower or upper back, then it is too large and the speed may be too fast. You can get the
   same wetsuit that I wear in my Pro Shop by clicking here.
5. Trying 360 tumble turns before learning 180’s or the windshield wiper technique.

I love helping solve these problems because I get tremendous joy watching my students go from
never having done a tumble turn (or from having tumble turns that look more like torture) to perfect
tumbles! My approach will be to start you from the beginning just like I would for anyone skiing with
me down here in paradise. Down here, this is a half-day to a full day project. On your own, it may
take much longer, but if you use this article in conjunction with the video, you will find success!

Now that you have established the good butt glide, good set-up, and good equipment
(www.thefootersedge.com/ne10.html), we will be able to concentrate on speed and technique

The speed should be between 25-30mph (remember: high boom with 2’ extension). Even large
individuals (over 225lbs) equipped properly should do tumbles in the low 30’s. Small children (less
than 75lbs) could perform tumbles in the low 20’s (mph) as long as the ‘chine spray’ (from the side
of the boat) is not hitting the skier!.

Now it is time to get down to the nitty gritty, technique! After you are able to ride comfortably in the butt
glide position in total control, you are ready for my patented No Feet Tumbles technique that has
helped thousands learn to tumble safely! It has also taught “spasmodic tumblers” to gain control.
Simply put, it is a slow speed maneuver in which all four tumbles (180’s and 360’s in BOTH
directions) are done without standing up in-between each one.

TIP: It is very helpful to strengthen your abdominals, as the butt glide position will work your abs BIG
TIME! If you do not know how to do this, set-up a handle on dry land and practice holding the butt
glide position until you can hold it for 30 seconds at a time.

The next step is to learn the magic of handle control. Handle control makes great tumbles and there
is only two positions you need to learn, the starting and ending position and the gun-holster position!

The starting and ending position requires that your handle be tight to your hip with your knuckles
placed firmly against the very top of your legs. This is the single biggest technique mistake that I see
people making. Starting or ending with the handle ‘out’ causes more problems than are worth
mentioning.

The gun-holster position is where you put the MIDDLE of the handle into the BOTTOM of your
imaginary gun holster without allowing your handle to lose contact with your wetsuit! This is so
important that it is worth re-reading and imagining over and over again! , did you re-read it? The big
tip to doing this is to lock out you outside arm fully. In other words, if you want to spin to your left, you
will need to lock out your right arm until you achieve the gun-holster position.

TIP: NEVER let the handle come-up above your hip at anytime during the tumble turn! This is a
heinous crime that causes people to get tremendous drag! 

What causes the drag is getting caught with the handle out of position. If you have ever gotten stuck
with the handle over your head while you are dragging on your back, then you lost control of your
handle! Remember, I said there are only TWO positions for the handle. Having the handle over your
head is not one of them.

The only way to safely start to learn your tumbles is to start from the butt glide position and practice
letting your feet swing from left to right while your practice going from the starting position to the gun
holster position and then back to the ending position!  If you would like to start your first windshield
wiper to the right, then look over your right shoulder 180 degrees behind you while locking out your
left elbow and PUSHING the middle of the handle into your left gun-holster position! Hold your head
position and handle position steady until the tension that you have created from pushing spins you
back to the front where you should do…what? That’s right, PULL the handle back into the ending
position.  Do not be discouraged if you only spin about 45-degrees on your first attempts. You will
eventually be able to make it to 90 degrees and then 180 degrees.

Immediately begin learning the opposite direction. Do not attempt 360-degree tumbles until you
have MASTERED the 180’s.

By adhering to great handle control, you will conquer the 180’s that I believe are more difficult than
the 360’s. When you are ready for the 360’s, the key becomes timing. A 360 tumble is simply moving
the handle from one gun-holster position to the other gun-holster position and then back to the
ending position.

The timing of when to move the handle is critical. You move the handle as soon as your feet reach
the 90-degree position. If you wait too long, then the handle will be very difficult to move. The key
here is realizing when to pull and when to push. A 180 is a pull-push-pull. A 360 is a pull-push-
push-pull. The starting and ending positions are always a strong pull. The gun-holster positions are
always a push with your outside arm!

MAJOR TIP: Always keep your knees, legs, and ankles touching during the tumble turn! This is
critical to getting your hips to move in one motion.

MAJOR TIP: Never let your knees, legs, and ankles get higher off the water than 12 inches! Raising
your lower body during the tumble turn is one of the major reason for catching your shoulders or
head half way around (mistakenly attributed by some as a “sleeveless” wetsuit problem).

MAJOR TIP: Whenever you are in the butt glide (starting and ending position) you are planing on
both cheeks! Whenever you are in a gun holster position, you should be on one butt cheek and one
side of your ribs (the opposite side as the handle). But how do I keep my students of excellence
from getting confused? By telling them in words they will never forget! REMEMBER always fart
TOWARDS the boom! In other words, look to the left lay on your left side. Look to the right lay on your
right side!

Well there , I have tapped into the last of my search and destroy typing skills for the day. It is 82
degrees out so I must go take advantage of living in paradise! If I have left any stone unturned and
you have my video, email me at lane@lanedawg.com and I will be happy to help you more once I
have been rejuvenated!

Please let me know if this has been of help to you as I am expecting great things from you!