A jump start means launching off the dock with a small hop, landing on the water already in motion. It's cleaner than a regular standing dock start, and it gets you past the wake of the last rider so there's less chop on landing. Jump slightly forward and outward from the dock as the cable pulls, absorbing the landing with bent knees.
Timing is everything. Jump too early and you get yanked, too late and your board digs in. Watch how the cable loops and sync your jump with the line going tight.
Key tips
- Time your jump with the cable pull, don't jump too early
- Jump forward, not up. You want distance from the dock
- Absorb the landing softly with deep knee bend
- Practice in both regular and switch stances
- Count the carriers passing the tower for a session or two before you commit. It makes the rhythm obvious