Stoked for my son

[Gramps]

As the water warmed up this year my son kept telling me each trip "I'm going to wakeboard daddy" He had been getting closer and closer to riding away...he could get up alright but after 20' or so would fall over or let go. This last trip he said he wanted to do it all by himself....I helped him into his bindings and he grabbed the rope and pushed off the swim step....gave us a "hit it" and he was off and riding.

[SkiTower]

Excellent! No stopping him now!

[scottb7]

He looks so great. Love that very serious look. Thanks so much for sharing. Makes me smile!

[AirTool]

Awesome !!!

I've taught so many kids to do these water sports and it seams like the difference between doing and not doing is like the difference between 0 and 1.

They can't....then all of a sudden....they can. Sometimes it takes a new day....when they aren't tired from crashing and face plants LOL.

[spunkie202]

What kind of board is that and what age is he

[CradGen2]

Wow. With my first child on the way I hope she enjoys boating as much as I do. After wake boarding he will never want to tube again. Congrats. Wait until he wants a g23 for Xmas.

[robertsmcfarland]

the feeling is great and irreplaceable, enjoy the time, you will blink, and your son will be taking the boat out on his own, and also riding circles around you!!

[rbalan]

My kids love the thought of wakeboarding. They love getting into the bindings and vest on, but as soon as they slip into the water fear sets in. My 6 yo daughter tried getting up once, but the "wall" of water scared her pretty good on take off. My son turned 4 yesterday and I'm hoping I don't have to purchase any inflatables to get them use to being pulled behind the boat. BTW, I am not pressuring them at all, they have to ask to try. Thats got to be an awesome feeling Gramps!

[Surfsmith]

awesome!
using a barefoot boom helps with the fear factor, keeps them close so you can talk and encourage them, gives them something solid to hang onto initially, then goto 6' rope...

[AirTool]

After wake boarding he will never want to tube again.

I've not seen that yet. Every ding dong I've taught....still wants to toob.

[jonsquatch]

My kids love the thought of wakeboarding... I am not pressuring them at all, they have to ask to try.

My son is 15 now, he learned how to ski on trainers when he was 9 but never wanted to progress. When he got too big for them he decided to try wakeboarding but has only gotten up a handful of times. He lost interest after a while and only wants to try if nobody else is on the boat which rarely happens these days as we keep up a pretty regular crew, as he has said it won't be long now before he can get a job and not have to go to the lake every weekend! Not sure how that apple fell so far from the tree. At least he likes surfing.

I've not seen that yet. Every ding dong I've taught....still wants to toob.

Thats an easy problem to solve, don't bring a tube! I haven't brought a tube with us since I got my 210, with the wake I get with the permanent ballast even with the tanks empty I can't in good conscience go zig-zagging across the lake with a wakeboard boat. Our lakes are too small and cramped and now that we can surf when the water is crap I would rather just pick the surf profile on the link and pull a board of the Z5 than spend 30 minutes mucking with a tube. The irony is I think my son likes surfing better than tubing any way.

[mnwakerider]

That's awesome! We just had our first and hope that the love of the water stays in the family. Here he is at 10 weeks swimming with mom.

[swankster]

Seeing them want to do it exciting and having them do it puts a smile on my face. I cannot believe the size of the handle compared to your son. You have to be happy.

[Gramps]

Rbalen, He has ridden on my wakeboard since he was old enough to really hang onto my legs (I think 3) I would put him in the middle of my board and surf the wake and just carve with him so he could get used to the speed. He likes riding the towable with the big kids and each trip we "prep" him with a "I think it's your turn to wakeboard" as we drive to the river. He first tried a few times as a 4 year old and again at 5....I knew he was ready this year for sure since he was hinting about it on his own right when he turned 6 in May. These pictures are from Father's day so he just turned 6. We really did not push him but we for sure talked about it each time. The other thing we always try to do is get back in the boat saying how much fun we had even after a bad crash. Kids are such sponges and if they think crashing is going to hurt in any way possible it will keep them from trying to ride.

[Gramps]

Here is a short clip of him riding

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IXsfI...2kWKXcFufbxd9w