Boating season is in full swing and everyone that we talk to is having such a great time out on the lake with their friends and family! One of the greatest parts about boating is your unlimited options of waters sports that you can learn behind a boat. Some of these options include: Two ski’s, Slalom Skiing, Trick Skiing, Ski Jumping, Wakeboarding, Wakeskating, Wakesurfing, Kneeboarding, Tubing, and many more!

For many of our customers, trying water sports for the first time can be a little confusing or intimidating, but don’t worry, we are here to help!

The following are some suggestions that we would like you to try next time you are in the water learning a new sport!

-Wear A Life Jacket!: No mater what sport you are trying for the first time, make sure that you always wear a Coast Guard Approved Life Jacket. Life Jackets are designed to keep you afloat no matter the circumstance.

-Establish if you are a Regular or Goofy rider: For wakeboarding, you always want to make sure that you have the right riding stance before starting in order to make it easier on yourself. There is a quick easy way that you can find out what stance you are. While standing up straight with your feet together looking straight ahead, have some one gently push you backwards. The first foot to step back and stop your momentum will be your back leg on the board! Easy! If you are left foot back, you are a Goofy. If you are right foot back, that means you are Regular.

-Stay Relaxed: The point of water sports is to enjoy the water and the boating lifestyle. If you keep yourself relaxed and have fun, you will enjoy the experience much more. No one has become a professional after the first day of riding, so make sure not to let yourself get frustrated and keep trying!

Sometimes you will fall fantastically, but getting back up is worth it. you can laugh about it later

-Let the boat do all the work!: Many people try to fight the boat to get up and as soon as the boat gets going, they try to pick themselves up by pulling their arms in and slowly getting up. I’m not sure about you guys, but a tug of war between me and a 350 horsepower engine will have the engine winning every time. Before the boat gets going, make sure to keep your arms straight and low, your legs bent and your back straight. Once the driver begins to pull you up, let the boat do all the work for you.  All you have to do is lean back and resist the boat’s pull and stand up with your back straight, arms straight while keeping them low, and keeping your hips over the board or ski, just like you would if you were doing the squats or one foot press at the gym.

-Boat Speed and Rope Length: When learning any watersport, you want to make sure that you are going rather slow. 14-18 miles per hours are great speeds for a beginner. Make sure you have the rope set all the way in for a beginner as well.  Slower speed falls are a lot softer for beginners. 

Remember to always have a spotter on the boat and to always have enough jackets for everyone on board.

If you have any questions or want to talk to one of our guys about the best board set up for you or a few quick tips on riding make sure to call us at (901) 744-4444.