Do you remember your determination and enthusiasm trying to stand up on a wakeboard? Do you remember the pain you felt when you first accidently dipped your toe edge? And can you remember the pleasure and relief when you first jumped across the wakes?
Well truth is, the sensation of progression exists no matter how good, bad, and young or old you are. It’s the main reason why people are so addicted to action sports.
I see too much energy wasted on frustration and anger. Riders rush into trying things before they are ready, and then most give up because they continue to fail.
I’m not saying you need to go and try 1080’s. If you’re happy riding where your at, that’s more than adequate, but if your not, and your getting hacked off because you’re falling and crashing without learning, then you need to, ask… Why?
David Leak - Smiles in the ship and on the water (always)
Your mates in the boat offer the best encouragement and motivation. Tutorial videos are great for theory and technique. Trampolines are ace for getting your head around the physical motions. Photos, DVDs, magazines, media, and people provide the inspiration!
In previous years some LWC riders have been fortunate enough to have pro-coaching with the likes of Kath Moore and Chris Woodhead.
Fundamentals – Commitment - Mechanics – Success
Maybe you don’t come away with a new trick that session, but in the long run you’ll have a better understanding and awareness of where you and your buddies are going wrong.
Approach and styles vary from each rider, and don’t forget there are various ways to get dragged around: boats, jet skis, winches etc etc. Mixing with other crews and other wakes on other lakes really makes a positive impact on your riding and your social life. And wakeboard competitions and festivals bring alike people together and help push things into perspective.
Cable parks and System 2.0’s may be seen as a completely different manner of riding. Some cable riders have never been behind a boat. This might come as a shock to some. “Wakeboarding with no wake… What’s all that about?”. On the other hand some boat riders have never been on a cable, and maybe they aught to.
The born and bread British 20 year old Nick Davis started riding cable as a teenager. He has made his mark all over the world proving his talent and innovation in both cable and boat events, taking 1st place time and time again.
LWC weekend at Sheffield Cable Park - Summer 2009
Some may see cable as a substitute for people who can’t access or can’t afford to ride behind boat, however you can’t take away the fact, Cable has evolved into a sport of its own, Bringing elements of boat riding, kite boarding, snowboarding and Skating together. As a result, this has created a welcoming, affordable, environmentally friendly riding atmosphere which should not be overlooked or looked down on.
But remember there’s more to wakeboarding than just landing tricks and progressing. Its about Friends and families having fun together! Personally for me, there is nothing better than being in a crammed on a boat a sunny day filled with beers and laughs.
“It’s the journey you take… there is no destination” – James Buck
Posted by The LWC 
