So you’re on the cable after a heart pumping “please don’t crash” moment at the start of the dock, you’re riding under the cable pretty well and super stoked about it. You are about to approach your first turn… so now what?
Taking your first corners on the cable can be terrifying and can easily result in being pulled by the cable in the different direction to where your board is going resulting in an inevitable face-plant.
So as you approach the turn, it is usually marked with a buoy as a guide. Most cableways have specific guidelines in taking turns at their spot, which is usually found in the start dock, lobby or asking your cable operator about the best way.
1 buoy marker means that you have to take the turn outside the buoy, 2 buoy markers usually means that you have to take the turn inbetween the two buoys.
As you approach the bouy, aim for it with a consistent edge with your elbows again close to your body and with bent knees.
As you pass the buoy at the same time the cable will turn around the pulley system and at this moment you can release your edge and point your board towards the new direction from the turn, nose still slightly above the water, more weight on the back foot and your elbows tucked to your body.
Like the starting dock, when the cable takes a turn on the pulley it will give you a 1 second slack on the rope and then if you aren’t prepared to take the turn it will yank you straight in to the direction of the turn.
But if all is well and your body is on the right direction, your elbows tucked on the body and knees bent, the cable will slowly pull you on the new direction and you can go back to a regular riding stance under the cable.
Repeat in all turns* as each turn has a different intensity because of the angle of the cable and your position as you take the turn, as you go along find out the exact timing, edge and position that works best for you.
Written by Paula Rosales.
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