Kids

[wrut]

I have two sons, 8 and 6. As of now, they both almost exclusively ride a Zup Board (mostly in the knee board configuration with the rope clipped in) on a 60ft rope and stay in the wake. I am looking to get them up on a Gromcast surf board, and a wakeboard, but really don't know how to get them started. Any ideas on how to transition them?

[Luebowski]

If possible, leave someone in the water with a flag to help them to help them get in the right position. This has helped both our wakeboard and wakesurf riders. It can be a big safety issue leaving someone in the water so we have only done it in the safest of conditions, or keep another boat/jet ski ready to get the instructor if the rider gets up.

I also like to pop new riders out quick then back off the throttle until they get stable, then speed up again.

[wrut]

Any suggestions on how to help them with balance, holding the rope, etc? I have tried to have my wife pull them up while being in the water but they just immediately fall forward.

[xxrb2010]

Get a small wakeboard with binding that fits their feet and you are good to go. Liquid force has a package for small kids. Kids at that age (5 to 6) can get up behind the boat at around 8 mph, you do not need to get any speed at all. I saw some kids being able to get up with no speed, just the tension in the cable. The speed I used is to make sure they are in front of the wave/bump right behind the boat. That is this wave/bump is and not at the front of their board and thus avoid the risk of plunging the board under. You will see a wave/bump 90 degree to the boat axe behind it at this speed. So adjust the speed until they are gliding down this wave.

They should start by riding behind, then passing the wake on each side, then start jumping the wake. Find the right distance where the wake is no washy behind the boat at this low speed. It should be at the end of the wake. It is like an inverse wake, with more ramp from inside to outside. Do not hesitate to put your speed control at 16 or more and manually control the speed around 8-12. Doing so, you will avoid the NCRS to engage and mess up the wake at this low speed. Of course no ballast, just your normal prop rotation weight and move people inside the boat.

On a G21, I can clear the wake on one side only around 14-15 at ncsr 0 depending on the weather. This is for when your kids are confident enough to ride at this speed.

For the surf, same, get a small surf board. However, help them getting up by having someone on the rear pad and pulling/orienting the rope to make sure they go where you want them to go. Also, maybe activate the surf wake when they are already on the right side of the boat (after the surf wake)

Hope this help

[xxrb2010]

If possible, leave someone in the water with a flag to help them to help them get in the right position. This has helped both our wakeboard and wakesurf riders. It can be a big safety issue leaving someone in the water so we have only done it in the safest of conditions, or keep another boat/jet ski ready to get the instructor if the rider gets up.

I also like to pop new riders out quick then back off the throttle until they get stable, then speed up again.

Absolutely, I forget this point. it helps to let the kids know when to get up, like the right timing and the initial start position. The lady or the guy in the water just scream get up when this is the right time. It should take only a couple of tries before they are able to get up. Remember, no need for any speed to get up.

For the security of the other person in the water, just stop the boat if the kid is up. I know too bad for the kids, but he or she will be able to do it alone next time .

[xxrb2010]

Any suggestions on how to help them with balance, holding the rope, etc? I have tried to have my wife pull them up while being in the water but they just immediately fall forward.

That is the classic error,

Try to pull them the boat stopped on the platform to show them the position when up and the sensation of being pulled. The long length of their board against the platform. The kids in the start position in the water. Then pull the rope. You will see if their timing or position is not good and can teach them the right one. When up, rotate the board so that only the front of their board is on the platform put them in the right position. They should feel the sensation of the right position. Play with the rope by pulling more or less, and the kids should be able to adapt and feel what he or she has to do to maintain his or her position.

Doing so, stopped on the platform, will give the kids the right sensation and which kind of leaning back they should keep at all time.

Also do not hesitate to let the kids get up with their knee/legs bended 90 degree. They do not need to get up fully. They can get up and ride a little bit with their knee/legs at 90 degree. It is like getting up doing almost nothing, just staying in the start position with just their hand going from the board to their knees or elbow level and same for their butt (from board to knee level). This is the type of kids that can get up with no speed and just rope tension.

[Shamsra]

Start with the wakeboard. Our mantra is knees bent, arms straight. 1. Have them bend the knees all the way to their chest 2. Accelerate slowly. It is amazing how quickly kids pop out of the water. If you accelerate too quickly, you'll pull them over the top of the board. 3. Rotate hips and stand when they come out of the water. 4. Arms straight. Beginners usually try to balance by pulling the handle, and the board goes out from under them. If they keep their knees bent and arms straight, they'll get it no problem. After that it is a combination of courage and balance. I think every boarder has to face plant once before they figure out how to avoid catching an edge. That's just a painful lesson.

After they get up on the wakeboard, then the surfboard is a breeze. It's the same basic mechanics, but easier. The challenge for the little ones is getting the board down in the water. 1. We have them start just like a wakeboard, but put their heels on the edge of the board. 2. Adults can get the board down enough with their heels, but little ones may need to use their hand to force the heels/board down. 3. When you put the boat in gear the board will push in toward them - bend knees into the chest 4. Accelerate slowly (my 17 yo practically gets out of the water when I put the boat in gear) 5. They'll pop right up, rotate hips and stand. 6. yell Knees bent, arms straight! Balancing with arms will quickly make the board slide out underneath them.

If there is a problem getting up, it is usually because we are accelerating the boat too quickly, knees aren't bent, or trying to stand too quickly. If there is a problem staying up, it is usually because arms aren't straight. Get all those ironed out, and you'll be on your way.

We love our ZUP for the kiddos. That is our go to board for anyone 8 or under. By 7/8 we migrate to skis.

Enjoy!!

[Shamsra]

That is the classic error,

Try to pull them the boat stopped on the platform to show them the position when up and the sensation of being pulled. The long length of their board against the platform. The kids in the start position in the water. Then pull the rope. You will see if their timing or position is not good and can teach them the right one. When up, rotate the board so that only the front of their board is on the platform put them in the right position. They should feel the sensation of the right position. Play with the rope by pulling more or less, and the kids should be able to adapt and feel what he or she has to do to maintain his or her position.

Great point xxrb2010! For first timers, we do the same thing. I stand on the platform and simulate the start with them in the water about 10' from the boat. I can usually pull them almost all the way up just by pulling on the rope by hand. Then you can give them immediate feedback on common mistakes, push them out, and try quickly again. For adults I have to move them up to get their board against the platform. Caution: Turn the boat off to avoid carbon monoxide and take your phone out of your pocket and glasses off. Even just pulling on the rope, some kids just have the instinct to let go when they feel the pull up. I've fallen overboard with a newbie letting go in our practice pull. That was not a good day.

[xxrb2010]

I've fallen overboard with a newbie letting go in our practice pull. That was not a good day.

Definitively more experience than me as so far I did not work with enough kids to get to this low probability even happen yet . I take the advice for next time.

[liquidforce133]

Any suggestions on how to help them with balance, holding the rope, etc? I have tried to have my wife pull them up while being in the water but they just immediately fall forward.

My son just turned 8 this summer and picked up wakeboarding really quickly. I had him try it on in our house in a carpeted room and had him get used to keeping his arms straight while being in a cannonball with bent knees. I pulled him up manually with the rope handle and got him used to the feeing. Then did the same thing against the platform of the boat. Then let him out a bit behind the boat and pulled him in and up manually. By then he was totally used to having the board on and popped right up on the first or second try.


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[99bison]

All good comments here, another one especially for learning to get up on surf board is to start them on edge of a water mat with someone giving light instruction and comfort.

The helper can retrieve the rope, make sure feet and body are in good position and slightly help tip up board onto feet if need be.

A tube or similar also works but the mat is very similar to the feeling of starting in open water.

Typically the mat is near shore, so the helper can stay there until boat comes back. Only downside is they miss the person going

[vision]

Do you have a local wakeboard pro? A day lesson with a pro will greatly improve their ability to start enjoying wakebaording.


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[Gtsum2]

I did all the above (except using the rear deck and practicing at home..those r good ideas) and I got my 12 year old up and jumping the first day (and surfing). My 9 year old was another story....up and crash, couldn’t get up, get up for 10 ft and crash....contacted local pro and got a two hour lesson for a few bucks on our boat and it was money well spent. Got the 9 year old up and wakeboarding with proper fundamentals and got the 12 year old jumping the wake (again with proper fundamentals). Also had time to give me some surfing pointers. Will use them again as my kids tend to listen to others sometimes before listening to my recommendations when it comes to wakeboarding. They also provided great boat driving tips and techniques to help the wave/wake and using the throttle etc. again, well worth the money!


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[Quinner]

Do not do this:

also like to pop new riders out quick then back off the throttle until they get stable, then speed up again.

Slow steady evenly progressing throttle is best. Hand throttle or if using speed control be ready to adjust speed as you go, too fast or rapid speed adjustments are no good.

If you have fancy controls for NCRS or whatever turn everything off.


Definitely do this:

Start with the wakeboard. Our mantra is knees bent, arms straight. 1. Have them bend the knees all the way to their chest 2. Accelerate slowly. It is amazing how quickly kids pop out of the water. If you accelerate too quickly, you'll pull them over the top of the board. 3. Rotate hips and stand when they come out of the water. 4. Arms straight. Beginners usually try to balance by pulling the handle, and the board goes out from under them. If they keep their knees bent and arms straight, they'll get it no problem. After that it is a combination of courage and balance. I think every boarder has to face plant once before they figure out how to avoid catching an edge. That's just a painful lesson.

Spot on for adjustments:

If there is a problem getting up, it is usually because we are accelerating the boat too quickly, knees aren't bent, or trying to stand too quickly. If there is a problem staying up, it is usually because arms aren't straight. Get all those ironed out, and you'll be on your way.

Would re-iterate the pulling the arms in, see that more when teaching than anything else, gets them on their butt every time. Along the keeping knees bent, trying to stand or rise too quickly is also something to watch for and adjust as required.

The only other thing I would add is you see some kids plowing too much water, essentially holding the board perpendicular to the waters surface or even in some cases heeled toward boat, when you see that get them to point toes at the boat to help get up on the surface faster.

Great stuff, teaching in one my favorite parts of skiing!!

[srock]

If possible, leave someone in the water with a flag to help them to help them get in the right position. This has helped both our wakeboard and wakesurf riders. It can be a big safety issue leaving someone in the water so we have only done it in the safest of conditions, or keep another boat/jet ski ready to get the instructor if the rider gets up.

...and in Florida using a long pole for a flag can also be used to push away any alligators that arrive to check you out. They stay away from boats but are more curious when it's gone.