First Time at Wakeboarding...

There was a time, not too long ago when I was very active and fit but then school and life happened so I fell off the wagon big time.  Recently, I saw a girlfriend put up a new profile of her doing what looks like an exciting water sport, so immediately I enquired as to how I would be able to try this.  Now I have to mention, I do have some degree of Aqua phobia.

So two or three  weeks later, I was in the water trying this seemingly fun and exciting activity.  You know how sometimes you look at things on TV…and think to yourself “that looks easy…I sure I can do that” until you actually do? Well that is the exact thing I experienced!

For those of you who are not familiar with Wakeboarding - it is a surface water sport which involves riding a wakeboard over the surface of a body of water. It was developed from a combination of water skiing, snowboarding, and surfing techniques. The rider (me in this case) is usually towed behind a motorboat at a speed that is informed by the board size, rider's weight, type of tricks, and rider's comfort.

 

And I'm in the water...

The technique involved in this activity required a strong body.  You go into the water on your stomach and you're required to turn on your back with the wakeboard strapped to you...and the wakeboard is heavy so this took some serious effort and that was just the beginning!  Once I got a bit comfy in the water I was then asked to hold on to the bar, keep my arms around my knees and hold a squat position.  Now when I say a squat position I mean...a proper squat position...the equivalent of a deep squat at the gym, one of which I had not done in what seems like years!  Apparently, you have to gradually raise out of the squat position and into a "skiing" position, which is when you actually start to wakeboard.

What I found was most intimidating, was the fact that this activity was conducted by two boys - an eleven year old and a sixteen year old - now if that's not intimidating for an Aqua phobic I don't know what is! I remember thinking to myself "wait nah,  is two little children I going to do this thing with...no way man...they've got to be mad", but they were awesome though...and very professional...they were mindful of my discomfort with open water and so one was always in the water with me, while the other drove the boat. They also kept explaining the technique and giving pointers with every attempt, their guidance was reassuring to say the least.

 

My Wakeboarding experienced turned out to be quit entertaining, fun, exciting and a brutal reminder that I need to rekindle my love affair with the gym and healthy eating habits!

 

Eight tries later and I was on the board for more than five seconds….and that’s quite an accomplishment I was told.  Is this something I will do again?   Definitely!