Super Uber Newbie-anyone from Central Wisconsin?

MerMal · Newbie Joined: 05 Feb 2009 Posts: 12 City: Weston

Hi all!
OK so first of all, I am very much into watersports, and I want to try more.

But, now, were do I even start with wakeboarding? I have a friend with a boat, but they know nothing of wakeboarding....and, well, even though I know I will love this sport (as I have seen, it sounds pretty addicting!), but, I'm also still in college and kinda poor.

Ok, maybe I should just spit it out. I love about 30 mins from the Wausau area, and well, I dunno how to go about trying to wakeboard. Is there a place I could possibly rent the wakeboarding equipment from? And, what kind of equipment would I need to give wakeboarding a try?

Any advice would be great! Thank you all so much!

GnarShredd · Posted: Jul 13, 2009 6:48 am Post subject:

Since I'm assuming your friend with a boat doesn't have a wake-specific boat, you should maybe give wakeskating a try. It's great for people on a budget and you can have fun riding behind almost anything that can pull you (boat, jet-ski, 4wheeler, car, etc).

It might be hard to rent gear from somewhere but it's worth taking a look at local shops to see if they have some type of program. Just search for something near by and give em a call.

All you need to wakeboard (or wakeskate) is:
A non-stretch rope/handle, a wakeboard with bindings (or just a wakeskate), and a towing device (in your case it sounds like a boat).

The best thing to educate yourself is to browse these forums and learn as much as you can. But of course, since I wakeskate more I still recommend wakeskating Cool

mucksoup · Outlaw Joined: 07 Jul 2009 Posts: 120 City: eugene

I would say you should just go out and buy a board. You can always find cheep boards on craigs list. And once you get good enough to know you need a beter board, put that board back on the list...

MerMal · Newbie Joined: 05 Feb 2009 Posts: 12 City: Weston

Thankgs guys!
But, once again, I have more questions. When I do go out on the water, how would I attach the rope? I mean, his boat isn't decked out with a tower or anything. I know they tube from behind it, BUT I also know that the rope for tubing and for wakeboarding are WAY different.

Wow, I kinda sound stupid, so I am going to stop now...thanks all again for advice!!!

JeffreyCH · Posted: Jul 16, 2009 9:14 pm Post subject:

Just attach the rope to the ski hook on the back of his boat. The only stupid question is the one you don't ask Wink

Look in the phone book for wake shops, call and ask if they have a demo program.

GnarShredd · Posted: Jul 17, 2009 6:12 am Post subject:

MerMal, Don't stop asking questions, it's the best way to learn. Also, it might help trying to find some local riders to get on the water with. I grew up wakeboarding mostly figuring it out for myself and i learned REALLY slowly. Once I found forums, went to a couple camps, and began riding with others I was able to learn a lot more quickly. I'm not that good or anything, but like the community of the sport, everyone's willing to help if you ask!

You're correct about the ropes being different. You want to make sure that the rope for wakeboarding is non-stretch line.

MerMal · Newbie Joined: 05 Feb 2009 Posts: 12 City: Weston

Thanks guys! You are all so helpful and I truly appreciate it! I hope to get out sometime this summer....maybe :S

Another quick questions, is the rope used for water skiing ok for wakeboarding? Because my friend was water skiis and a rope for that, and I am not quite sure those are the same or not...

If not, I have to do some more budget plans Razz

.

Thanks all again!

kartman · Posted: Jul 21, 2009 12:59 pm Post subject:

they will work for a bit. i learned on a ski rope. buy when you get to jumping, your going to want a non stretch rope, trust me. just pick up a cheep board off of craigs list, and give it a try. its a blast, and VERY addicting! welcome!

MerMal · Newbie Joined: 05 Feb 2009 Posts: 12 City: Weston

Thank you! I will just use that for now. Unfortunately, I looked on craigs list, and well, I couldnt really find anything in my area, so maybe I have to branch out more...but then agian, shipping could be a beast!

Anyways, thank you, and I hope to start soon!

JeffreyCH · Posted: Jul 21, 2009 2:05 pm Post subject:

I got my board off ebay last year for 165 shipped and my bindings this year for 70 shipped. I also have a pair of 07 Hl states that I paid 45 for shipped, so just watch ebay like a hawk and you will find something that works. Wink

GnarShredd · Posted: Jul 21, 2009 5:48 pm Post subject:

Even being in to this for a while, I usually still try and find a deal on gear by getting the previous year's model if I can. A lot of stores will have sales when the new stuff comes in and if you do your research, many of the boards/bindings don't change much if at all from year to year.

Prizzy · Soul Rider Joined: 06 Jun 2008 Posts: 360 City: Milwaukee

What could be done is if you want to you can take a trip down to fremont, im assuming you know where that is... its about an hour from wausau i believ and there is a semi-retired pro down there that gives lessons on partige lake and the river... also very near to hi is Fort Fremont marine on the river who will demo out boards to try. you could get a day lesson with the pro his name is gordy bubolz, demo a board or too and just learn wat you can about the sport.

HHI Dave · Posted: Jul 21, 2009 6:22 pm Post subject:

Don't forget this website has a classified section as well. Always gear for sale in there.

MerMal · Newbie Joined: 05 Feb 2009 Posts: 12 City: Weston

Prizzy, thank you sooo much! I may have to do some research on that! I may have to start out that way!!!

And I have already looked at the classifed and ebay...nice nice stuff there! Just gotta wait til I get more money...thank you!!!

Prizzy · Soul Rider Joined: 06 Jun 2008 Posts: 360 City: Milwaukee

yes i did two days with him and he is great... it might be a little full right now but in a little bit you might be on a boat with only 2 or 3 other people, he serves lunch and can take you to fort fremont cause thats the general area he teaches in. its a good time.

bgomach · Newbie Joined: 29 Jul 2009 Posts: 4

Nordic Mountain in wild rose just set up a system 2.0 this summer you should check it out...it would be a great way to learn to ride http://www.nordicmountain.com/wakepark.html

Prizzy · Soul Rider Joined: 06 Jun 2008 Posts: 360 City: Milwaukee

Im takin a vaca up to fremont in a week i might have to convince the rents to spend a day there!!! Ive always wanted to try sliders and kickers and cables.