Les McCubbin spent his whole life in his twin brother Addison’s shadow. When Addison severs their psychic connection, Les doesn’t just lose his brother – he begins to lose himself.

In a desperate attempt to keep her new job at a Welsh warehouse, Megan presses a pregnant colleague to get her “pick rate” up, putting her and her fetus at risk.

A loving mother, a son in search of peace, four people separated by more than miles. Now, in the twilight of their time together, reconciliation finally begins for a family who never really knew each other until it was almost too late.

A young cardiologist has a patient with a disability who ends up passing away. She feels responsible for his death. When she visits the mother of her patient to apologize she becomes angry and sues to have the doctor’s medical license taken away.

Have you ever seen someone effortlessly glide across the water on a surfboard, with no waves in sight?

If so, you were probably witnessing the magic of wake surfing. Wake surfing is a relatively new watersport that is quickly gaining popularity. It’s a great way to enjoy the water and get a workout at the same time.

If you’re interested in trying wake surfing, in this article, Tavik will provide a simple guide on How to Wakesurf.

What You’ll Need to Wakesurf?

Of course, you’ll need a boat to go wake surfing, but what else do you need? You’ll need your boardshorts or swimsuit, a wake surf board, a wake surf rope, and, maybe most importantly, a life jacket that fits properly.

It’s essential to be prepared before getting out on the lake. The first step is deciding what to wear. A swimsuit is self-evident, but there are a few things to remember.

While you may want to flaunt your summer physique, going for a swimsuit with more excellent coverage will assist in keeping you safe. Keep in mind that you’ll be wearing a life jacket, so pick a swimsuit that is supportive and comfortable beneath it.

Wakesurfers who are new to the sport may consider donning a wetsuit or rashguard. You’ll probably spend more time in the water as a novice, which might be cold depending on where you are. More covering also ensures you are more protected in the event of a fall.

A life jacket is likely the most crucial gear you’ll wear when wake surfing. Life jackets will not only keep you afloat, but they will also protect you if you fall. Make sure you have a life jacket rated for size and weight and approved by the Coast Guard.

How to Choose a Beginner Wakesurf Board?

Choosing the correct beginning wake surfboard can help you learn faster while also allowing you to have more fun. Beginner wake surfers place a greater emphasis on stability and predictability than on speed and pop.

Wakesurf boards in the form of a surfboard with a greater surface area and a reliable three-fin layout are recommended. This will give you the most solid and forgiving base from which to learn the fundamentals.

Construction and buoyancy are two additional characteristics of novice wake surfers. Beginner boards are often composed of less buoyant materials, allowing them to sit lower in the water for slower speeds and better stability.

You may get to super poppy and simply agile boards from there. Check out our wake surf board buying guide for more information.

Get the Right Equipment

If you’re just getting started in wake surfing, look for “beginning boards.” Wakesurfing boards come in various shapes and sizes, and versions designed for more experienced riders might be challenging to learn to ride. Physically, the variations are minor but noticeable in how they interact with riders.

The Tie: Believe it or not, rope selection is vital, and a wake surfing rope differs from a wakeboarding rope, which differs from a ski rope.

Wakesurfing ropes are thicker, shorter, and have a well-padded grip. Some even feature knots to assist beginner riders in getting into the “sweet spot” of the wave, which we’ll describe later.

You’ll also require a personal flotation device, such as a life jacket or a PFD. Modern PFDs resemble down vests rather than the blocky foam pieces you may recall.

How to Wakesurf?

• Sit in the water with your toes and heels on the board’s edge.
• Allow your knees to come into your chest as the board moves, and dig your heels down.
• Maintain a bend in your knees until the board flips up to your feet and your weight is supported by the board.
• Gently stand up and place your heels on the board.

Relax and let the boat do the job is the most popular advice offered to beginner wake surfers. If you’re having trouble getting up on a wakesurf board, this may be annoying advice, but it’s real!

It’s all about your setup and patience to get started. Sitting in the water with your feet propped up on the board, push your heels into the board until it flips up to your feet and the boat starts pulling you up.

Stay patient after your feet are securely planted on the board, and bend your knees as you crouch down, leaning into the rope as your weight shifts over the board. You may slowly stand up after you’re totally over the board.

Beginner wake surfers often push too hard to force their feet into the board rather than allowing the boat’s pull to flip it up.

Another typical blunder is attempting to pull yourself up. This may work in some instances, but as you gain strength, losing your equilibrium and falling is simple.

While patience is essential, you don’t want to be too comfortable, laying back and staring at the sky; instead, you want to bend your knees and maintain an athletic posture while allowing the boat to draw you up.

How to Drop the Rope Wakesurfing?

It’s time to climb into that wave and drop the rope after you’ve gotten up! Once you’ve moved into the wave’s pocket, the wave’s push is enough to keep you riding, and you won’t need the handle to keep you moving.

When attempting to catch that wave and drop the rope, there are a few things to keep in mind.

The first and most critical stage is to maintain proper posture; if you’re all squished up, you won’t be able to move about quickly and place yourself in the wave.

Check whether you’re standing up straight and not bending down at the waist. Place your backhand (not the one holding the handle) on your lower back, push forward, and straighten your posture to do a “posture check.”

As you gain a feel for moving about on the wave, having someone on the boat manage the slack in your rope is beneficial. They’ll assist in smoothing any motions, so you won’t be dragged off your board if your slack runs out soon.

It’s time to chuck the rope after you are comfortable surfing with a consistently slack line. To avoid being entangled in the rope, toss it back into the boat or over to the opposite side of the wave.

How to Control Your Speed Wakesurfing & Stay in the Wave?

When wake surfing, changing how you weigh your feet might assist you in regulating your speed. In other words, your front foot acts as a gas pedal.

To accelerate, put more weight on your front foot; to slow down, put more weight on your rear foot. Weighting your toes can also help you speed faster by forcing you into the wave while pressing your heels would do the reverse. Turn up into the wave to keep your speed and remain in the wave, then drop back down to gain up speed.

If you’re having trouble remaining in the wave and being dumped out the back, consider jumping back into it after you’ve dropped down.

Similarly, if you feel like you’re losing the wave, you should crank it up rather than down so you can drop back down and gain up speed. You’ll be surfing like a pro after you’ve mastered these motions.

How to do a Pump Trick?

This is an intermediate technique that will assist you in generating speed and bouncing. You’ll be able to perform 180s, 360s, and other stunts after mastering this skill.

If you don’t have the rope, you’ll have to rely on your rear foot to get to the top of the wake.

Then you step down the wake by putting your weight on your front foot.

To produce speed, try doing this method.

5 Wakesurf Tricks You Can Try Today To Up Your Game

Carving

The carving technique is one of the finest “tricks” a wakesurfer can master. It’s not only a fun method to surf the wake, but it also serves as a solid basis for many more complex tricks down the road, so it’s definitely one worth mastering.

Carving is about a smooth, back-and-forth action that allows you to rock along with the wake at your own speed. Place yourself in the middle of the board to begin.

Drop back and ride the wave up by turning your board’s nose up toward the crest of the wave (slightly pushing your front foot forward)—then swing back down by pushing your back foot toward the boat.

This will result in a light back-and-forth motion that will allow you to easily ride the wave. The last push with your back will result in a little spray explosion… a pleasant visual flourish, particularly on a hot day.

Floating

The wake surfer’s equivalent of walking on water is floatation or rising to “stand” at the wave’s crest. It involves many of the same fundamental motions as carving.

In fact, the arrangement is almost identical! The only difference between the two maneuvers is the follow-through. Rather than instantly moving your rear foot toward the bottom of the wave, attempt to keep your foot position as you reach the top of the wake.

If you can hold it for a few seconds while applying minimal pressure to your front foot, you’ll seem to be floating effortlessly at the wave’s crest!

Grab the rail

Another essential tactic is the rail grab, which may be used for various things (including the fire hydrant, which we’ll look at after today’s list).

You want to feel comfortable gripping the edge of your board with your hand as a wake surfer, and that’s all the rail grab includes. Grab the front of your board while crouching low and keeping your legs close to your torso.

Take a leaf from the surfer’s book and grasp with your right hand if your left foot is in front (or vice versa), but that’s just the beginning. Once you’ve mastered this maneuver, you’ll understand when and where to hold your board for the most traction and control.

Many people are surprised to learn that wake surfing is not a no-hands sport! Because you’re not clutching a rope as you would during wakeboarding or waterskiing, you’re free and encouraged to use your hands as guides when surfing.

You may even put your palm in the water to slow down or practice a complex action, like the 360 turns.

The rail grab is one of the numerous surf-inspired movements that may improve your on-the-water technique while earning you big style points.

Hang fifteen

Hanging five or ten is a really thrilling experience. To hang five is to ride your board with one foot (also known as five toes) toeing the front edge of the board, whereas to hang 10 is to ride with both feet up front. However, five is a bit simpler, to begin with, so that’s the one to start with!

You may do this technique at any point while on board, but it’s a bit simpler if you start with the rope still in your hand (before tossing it back and can stand on your own). Slowly move your front foot forward until your toes are barely above the board’s front edge while clutching the rope.

You may let go of the rope after finding a comfortable rhythm. It may take a few attempts before you can hang five for more than a few seconds, but you’ll get there eventually. And boy, was it all worth it!

You’ll not only get to experience the unique perspective point of being upfront—almost as if you’re soaring through the air—but also seem seriously in command, adding to the fashionable part of this sport we all adore.

Hydrant for fire

We warned you that the rail grab would be helpful! Stick one leg and one arm into the air for this exciting feat while the opposite hand grabs the board, and the opposite foot is put on it.

There’s no one-size-fits-all approach, but many wake surfers have found success by lowering their body first, then grabbing the rail with their front foot.

What is the primary goal of this ruse? Have a blast! It looks nice, and you feel fantastic doing it as if you’re playing a water-based Twister game.

What Is the Best Way to Get Air?

To acquire adequate speed, drift back into your sweet zone and give two to three solid pumps.

Come down on your front foot weight and do a big bottom turn on your final pump.

Come up to the top of the wake and turn around. As you climb, keep your front foot light and ride up until the whole board is off the wake.

You may begin to put more weight on your front foot as you go down the wake. Your rear foot will rise up and even out over the lip due to this.

You’ll want to ensure that both your rear and front feet land even initially. Distribute your weight equally between your rear and front feet.

FAQs About How To Wake Surf

How do you execute a 360-degree turn?

Return to your sweet spot, somewhere between the center and outside of the wake.

Get one or two suitable pumps in, or as many as possible, to produce speed.

Lift your front foot off the wake surf board and lift your nose off the board. Next, you sink your backhand into the wake while simultaneously pushing your back foot out.

This will loosen it up, allowing you to turn your body from left to right.

As you grow more comfortable in your 360s, you’ll notice that you’re shifting your weight from front to back.

Conclusion

After testing out various ways to wake surf, we’ve come to the conclusion that the best ways to wake surf are by using a wake surfboard with or without fins. No matter what your skill level, wake surfing is a great way to enjoy the water and get a workout. So get out there and give it a try!

Thank you for reading!

There are many things to be aware of when swimming, including the possibility of getting sunburned, getting dehydrated, or swallowing too much water. However, there are also some dangers that are less well-known. Here are 17 bad things about swimming that you should be aware of.

17 Disadvantages And Risks of Swimming (Stay Informed!)

1. Swimming pools have chlorine

Because chlorine is a strong disinfectant, chlorine is often used in pools. High chlorine levels can lead to eye irritation, dry skin and headaches.

Swimming goggles may help to prevent irritation from the eyes. However, your skin, hair and ears will still be exposed. Inhaling chlorine can also cause respiratory problems and increase the risk of developing asthma.

2. Common Injuries

Swimming has several disadvantages. Swimmers are more susceptible to specific injuries. Because of the repetitive movements involved in different strokes, this is a common problem. These are the most common injuries in swimming:

Tendinitis and shoulder impingement, as well as injuries to the shoulders.

• Knee injuries
• Low back and neck injuries.
• Biceps tendinitis.

These can all be caused by a combination or a combination of several things, such as:

• Insufficient rest between swimming sessions.
• Bad stroke technique.
• Poor breathing technique
• Poor condition and strength in the core, hips and shoulders.

3. Unwanted Weight Gain

One of the lesser-known drawbacks to swimming is weight gain. Scientists discovered that colder water causes higher levels of hunger than warmer.

Participants who were exposed to colder water ate up to 44% more calories. This was even though their caloric expenditure was relatively the same as those who swam in warmer waters.

Another study concluded that swimmers have higher adipose levels (simply energy stored as fat) than bikers and runners.

4. There is a risk of drowning

Swimming can be scary if you are just starting to learn how to swim. For beginners, drowning will be their number one fear.

Swimming in a pool is safer than swimming in open water. However, swimming in open waters like the oceans, lakes or rivers can be dangerous. The main dangers are the current lack of experience and unfamiliarity with how the currents interact with our bodies.

Swimming in open water is dangerous because of the currents and the possibility of being pulled underwater.

5. Dehydration

Swimming requires all of your major muscles to be active. This causes you to sweat and lose fluids like other intense exercises. It’s challenging to feel and notice that you’re actually sweating underwater.

It may seem strange to most people, but it can happen. This can lead to a loss or imbalance of electrolytes. As you might know, the body’s healthy functioning depends on proper electrolytes balance.

6. Fungal Infections

Another disadvantage to swimming is fungal infections. The athlete’s foot is a common fungal infection that swimmers experience. It is highly contagious and can spread quickly.

A yeast infection is another concern, particularly for women. This is usually caused by high humidity, heat, and swimming water.

7. Bacterial Infections

Water can contain many pathogens and bacteria. Some bacteria can survive even in well-chlorinated water bodies.

The swimmer’s ear is a common bacterial infection. This infection usually occurs when water remains in the ear canal for too long. This allows bacteria to grow and infect your ears.

8. Tiredness and Fatigue

Many people feel tired after swimming in the ocean, especially at night. This phenomenon can be explained in many ways.

Sun exposure may be the reason people feel tired after swimming. One study showed that people who spend a lot of time outdoors and are exposed to the sun have lower cognitive functions.

Another theory states that cold water causes us to burn more energy to maintain our core temperature. This makes us more tired than usual.

It is also believed that many people swim before breakfast and go to work early. Swimming after a prolonged period of fasting may lead to fatigue.

9. Polluted water

Swimming in polluted water is a significant disadvantage, especially for those who swim in rivers, lakes and oceans. You can continuously swim in water polluted by human and animal wastes, garbage, germs and other contaminants.

Avoid swimming in polluted water near industrial plants, wastewater treatment plants or other points. You could get skin, eye, and stomach infections and open wounds.

10. People pee in the pools

It is well-known that many people pee in the water. This can lead to health problems such as asthma and other respiratory issues. If chlorine levels drop below certain levels, disinfecting the water may not be sufficient.

11. Winter swimming

For many, swimming in winter is difficult. Particularly if you are swimming in rivers, oceans, or lakes. It can be dangerous to swim in cold water. It could lead to:

• Hypothermia.
• Sudden heart attack.
• The capacity to swim is reduced.
• Hyperventilation.

12. Saltwater

When we go to the ocean for the first time as children, the one thing that we are told is to not drink the water.

Salt can be consumed with food in small quantities, but saltwater from the oceans and seas can cause health problems.

Salt water is much more dangerous because it has a higher salt content. Saltwater intake can lead to other health problems, and excessive amounts can lead to death.

13. Cramps

Swimming can also pose a risk for cramps. These cramps can occur for three reasons, depending on how often you swim, your lifestyle and how you swim.

It is usually caused by:

• Dehydration and loss of electrolytes
• Too much swimming.
• Inadequate conditioning

14. Bumping into Foreign Objects

It is possible to encounter different types of sea creatures and rocks while swimming in open water.

Sharks, for instance, are a genuine danger to beachgoers. Other animals, such as jellyfish, crabs and sea urchins, can be dangerous.

It is possible to step on or hit your legs against rocks, especially if you’re swimming in shallow water. This can lead to some minor injuries, but it is possible to get some bruises or wounds.

15. Sun Exposure

The increased sun exposure when swimming is last but not least. You’ll likely be in the sun more often if you swim in an outdoor pool or open water.

The cooling effects of water will help mask the fact that your skin is exposed to the sun’s relentless rays. This can cause severe sunburns, as well as skin cancer.

This can cause severe skin problems, especially for those with ashen skin or prone to blistering quickly.

16. Swimming can be expensive.

Many sports and activities require a financial investment. A gym membership is necessary if you enjoy going to the gym. You’ll need to purchase running shoes if you enjoy running.

Swimming alone isn’t expensive, but it can add up if your goal is to compete or improve your recreational swimmer skills.

These essentials you will need to know if you wish to learn swimming.

• This fee is not mandatory for everyone.
• Swimming goggles.
• Swimsuit.

It shouldn’t cost too much each year, and it’s a significant investment considering all the benefits of swimming. It is also cheaper than other sports.

However, if you want to improve your swimming, you must invest in other equipment. This can make it more costly. These can include:

• Membership in a swim club or coaching.
• You will need swimming gear, such as a fin, snorkel, paddles and a pool buoy.

The coaching will be the most costly part of any of the items mentioned above, regardless if you are swimming competitively or recreationally. The best thing about coaching is that you will most likely receive an excellent facility from practicing.

However, competitive swimming can be very costly. You’ll need to pay for the following items as a competitive swimmer:

Tech suits and goggles for racing gear. These are usually quite costly.

• Register with your local/national swimming association.
• Swimming meet/ competition fees.
• Travel fees may apply for competitors in larger/further away events and meets.
• For strength training, there are additional fees to the gym.

These things can add up and make competitive swimming one of the most expensive traditional sports.

17. Competitive swimming can be very time-consuming.

Although exercise is essential to our lives, everyone should get at least 20 minutes of aerobic exercise each day. According to the Mayo Clinic, swimmers train for much longer than that.

While this is not bad, it can limit your social interaction with friends or allow you to study for exams and tests if you’re still at school.

Non-professional competitive swimmers train for at least 9 hours per semaine, which isn’t bad. But, that number could easily be pushed up to 20+ hours per week. This is where I find myself right now. This includes strength training and swimming.

Professional swimmers will train for around 30-35 hours each week, spread over several daily training sessions. However, this is your job, and you’re being paid to compete.

You can also add extra time driving to the pool and foam rolling to loosen muscles and get ready for training.

For the average swimmer, or someone just trying to keep fit and healthy, swimming laps isn’t too expensive. Swimming laps can be a great way to get in aerobic exercise and strengthen all your major muscles.

Intermediate and advanced swimmers can swim 20-30 laps per minute for beginners.

All that being said, I must mention that swimming has taught me to be efficient and plan ahead. This skill is handy in today’s society, where many distractions surround us.

This will be especially beneficial for younger swimmers, as it will teach them how to focus their time on the most important tasks each day to accomplish their tasks.

Swim Season: 3 Ways Pool Chlorine Harms Swimmers’ Health

1. Asthma and Allergies

A chlorinated pool can cause asthma and allergies in competitive swimmers. Competitors who start swimming in chlorinated pools early are more likely to develop asthma, allergies, or bronchiolitis.

It is most likely caused by toxic compounds formed when chlorine reacts with organic materials such as lotions, cosmetics, and urine.

These compounds are called disinfection Byproducts or Chloramines. They also cause a pool smell, the strong chlorine odor we associate indoor pools with.

Breathing in disinfection byproducts can lead to allergies, asthma, or a condition called Lifeguard Lung, which causes persistent cough.

2. Eye and skin irritation

Swimming in chlorinated pools can cause dry, itchy skin and red eyes. This discomfort can also be caused by disinfection products. This could be due to your child or yourself coming home from swimming with reddened eyes or skin irritations.

3. Stomach Illness

Many people believe chlorine kills all germs immediately. However, many illness-causing contaminants are resistant.

Cryptosporidium Parvum, a typical water disease that can cause severe gastrointestinal illness and spreads quickly, is often found in public swimming pools.

Although these illnesses aren’t caused by chlorine, it is dangerous to assume that chlorine will protect swimmers. Many public pools today have secondary sanitation systems to protect swimmers.

Know What’s Best for Your Young Swimmer

1. Rest

Overhead activities are prohibited for athletes who participate more than three months out of each year. Parents should encourage their children to try other sports, especially ones that do not involve overhead activities.

2. Warmup

Make sure your swimmer is adequately warmed up. Going into a swimming pool with your skin still cold is not a good idea. It is also essential to choose the right type of warmup.

It is vital to ensure that warm-ups are not passive. To warm up their arms, swimmers use a variety of traditional stretches.

Warm-ups that target the shoulder joints are essential to keep them stable. You must warm up and stretch the muscles, not just the shoulder joint.

3. Hydration

Make sure you drink lots of water. Swimming in a pool can dehydrate your body, especially with all the sweating and exercise.

4.Stop listing:

• Incorrect swimming form
• Training without rest days is excessive.
• Every stroke is the same.

5. What to watch:

• Green light – Good: Muscle soreness can be tolerated if it lasts for at least 2 days
• Red light – This is a bad sign if soreness persists for more than 2 days or becomes worse and/or sharp

(If the item is considered a red light, it should be reported to a physician.)

6. What’s the deal?

• Young Kids Age: 5-9

The training should not last more than 60 minutes and should be done no more often than once a week.

Learn the fundamental strokes.

• Older Kids Age: 10-16

Training should not last more than 120 minutes and should be done no more often than six times per week.

Learn how to reduce wasted energy in a few strokes.

7. Proper warm up:

• Light swimming for 5 minutes
• Active stretching for 15 minutes
• Ten minutes of breathing and stroke exercises in the pool

Cook Children’s SPORTS physical therapists have been trained to properly treat overuse injuries.

They work to restore function and safely guide athletes back to their sports activities. Talk to your pediatrician if your child has suffered from injuries while swimming or if you have concerns about future injuries.

FAQs About Problems In Swimming

1. How do you test for safe chlorine levels in a pool?

You can do a smell test. Dr. Uren states that it is perfectly normal to smell chlorine when entering an indoor swimming pool area.

Suppose the smell is strong and it causes irritation to your eyes or respiratory system. In that case, the chemicals in the pool are unbalanced. According to the CDC, healthy pools don’t have strong chemical smells.

Water Quality & Health Council recommends using a test strip for checking the pH and chlorine levels. According to the CDC, a healthy pH should be between 7.2 and 7.8.

This allows for the prevention of side effects from chlorine while killing germs. The safe chlorine level in a pool should not exceed 1 part per million (ppm).

How high is the acceptable chlorine level to swim? The acceptable level of chlorine for swimming depends on the person being asked.

According to the Water Quality & Health Council, it is from 1 to 5 ppm. So, for example, 10ppm chlorine is unsafe to swim in.

2. How to avoid side effects from too much chlorine?

These tips help you avoid the unpleasant side effects of chlorine.

If the water is not safe, stay out of it

Don’t swim in unmaintained pools.

Wash Your Face Before You Go Swimming

Signs at public pools ask you to wash off your clothes in the shower before entering the water. Do it! According to the CDC, you only need to rinse your body for one minute.

Also, make sure to get your hair wet. Dr. Ovits states that soaking the hair in fresh water is a good idea since the shaft of the hair absorbs less chlorine water. Goggles and swim caps are good options to protect your hair.

Moisturize After Swimming

Dr. Ovits advises that you don’t apply sunscreen to your skin before entering a pool.

She says that after you’ve finished with the pool, it’s the perfect time to apply a moisturizer. You should look for one that contains ceramides.

Conclusion

Swimming is a great way to stay in shape and have fun, but there are some disadvantages and risks associated with it.

First, swimming in open water can be dangerous because of the possibility of getting lost or being pulled underwater by currents.

Second, swimming in pools can also be risky because of the possibility of getting sick from the chlorine or other chemicals in the water.

Finally, even though swimming is a great workout, it is important to remember that it is still possible to overdo it and injure yourself.

Thank you for reading! Follow Tavik for more useful articles.