Need imput

[Jtmex]

I just bought a 2002 Air Nautique and I have a son 14 & a 9 year old daughter. They are both interested in learning to wakeboard. What is the best rope length for them to use and what is a good wakeboard to buy as a starter that is not to expensive to see if they like it? Any input or info would be helpful. Thanks.

[MrShelley]

My son is 13 and rides at the same length and speed as me (75' @ 22.5) behind our 2005 Super Air. He rides an old Liquid Force Squirt I got on eBay. I bought it as a "starter" board to see it he likes it. He seems comfortable at that length and speed although I frequently slow down a bit when he's crossing the wakes. At least for him, speed is more a factor than rope length. As far as a board, get something cheap and see how he likes it.

[FLY6584]

I disagree with a long rope for new riders. I know a lot of us ride with longer ropes because of our skill level and we tend to push the longer lines to those we are teaching, but first and foremost you want to motivate them. There is no quicker way to motivate someone than to show them they can in fact clear the wake. I know when I was a kid wakeboarding didn't really become that fun until I could clear the wake and once that happened it was on and there was no turning back. With that said I would probably look at letting them ride at about 60ft and 21-21.5mph. It's not too fast, but it's fast enough at that speed and that rope length for them to learn to jump and clear the wake. Best of luck! I can't wait till my 9month old little guy is ready to put on a board!

[CornRickey]

^agree

[HS]

I just bought a 2002 Air Nautique and I have a son 14 & a 9 year old daughter. They are both interested in learning to wakeboard. What is the best rope length for them to use and what is a good wakeboard to buy as a starter that is not to expensive to see if they like it? Any input or info would be helpful. Thanks.

For the 9 y.o. Look at something like the Hyperlite motive in a 109 or 119 length. Something around 130 I think for the boy. The manuf web site have sizing guides.

Yeah, it's all about building confidence from positive experiences. They will let you know when they're ready for more speed. They make those big poly fins for the beginner boards to help keep the board tracking. Smaller fins for when they are ready for slides and surface 180s. Don't know for sure, but it might also make the board more forgiving for landing the wake to wake jumps, but the board will have a loose feel.

I set the line length so they are inside the wash. Wash seemed Ro intimidate my younger one when he got outside. Also, a clean lip make for a better jump platform. The 11 y.o will ride about 18 or 19 this year...his bro is 13 and will ride 19 to 21, but that's just us. I started them at like 15 - 16 and before they knew it they were at 18!!! Except only I knew until it no longer mattered. They started when I got our first boat, when they were 6 and 8. I got a BI Tower Boom and started them on trainer skiis. After they built confidence, and had made the jump to behind the boat, we tried a WB. Same process, intro on the boom, then transfer to behind the boat. Takes time and patience, but I am glad I did it this way!

[5bison]

This might sound crazy but… I highly suggest you buy the Detention 2012 video by Sean Murray. When we get a new rider at our lake I usually have them watch the section on how to get up. Plus there is a lot of information from how to set up a board to very advanced tricks (for when you get there). I have two 10 year old girls and a 9 year old boy and I think the board I bought them is a 129 Hyeperlight SYN. I think I bought it off of Wiredsports.com for under $200. Just don’t get them something too cheep or they will hate it! My kids ride at about 18 to 20. And the rope is at about 65 to 70. FWIW.

[AirTool]

I haven't read all this but I start all my beginers under 10 at 60' and 12 to 13 mph. I also start them on their regular side way out side the boat so they come up outside the wake in the flats and can lean back and edge. Once they get comfy, then they can try to cross the wake.

I've taught many.

[HS]

Another video reference is Lane "Dawg" Bowers' "1 hour Slalom" he has a you tube channel. or search on google

[northwestwater]

i think the comments here are great. I have two girls. they are wimps like me. so i actually started them in our swimming pool. i strapped the boards on them would sit them in the warm water in a deep water start position and pull them across the pool by just a fast walk. once they could get up, i showed them how to push the board underneath them and taught them pro starts. they could do this before i even got them behind the boat. i would have them lay on their stomachs and roll onto their backs with the board attached so they knew what to do if they went in face first. then, i took them behind the boat and would drive 10-12 miles an hour so it wasn't too intimidating. i kept them out about 60 feet. I gave them a diary that we kept in the boat and would make them each ride 25 times a year. that earned them a trip to disneyland. i know i know. bad parenting. but, today both of my girls love to ride. they are still pretty wimpy but so is their dad. mom just drives the boat. The great thing is that it is something we get to enjoy as a family.

[lucky7t]

Northwestwater,

You nailed it! It's something do with your family.

I start my 8 yr old at 60' and 14mph

10 yr old cought an edge the first time so he has decided to ski and tube.