When Can Kids Start Riding?

carrollcw · Newbie Joined: 11 Apr 2004 Posts: 40 City: Goldsboro

I am new to wakeboarding. I just bought a boat and want to learn how to wakeboard. I have a 5 year old son (just turned 5) and wonder how old kids usually are before you teach them how to wakeboard. I would love to learn how with him, but I would guess he will need to wait one more year. What size board do you get for kids anyway?

03Belmont · Wakeboarder.com Freak Joined: 19 Aug 2003 Posts: 4656

this kid competes.. hes like 5

http://www.pbase.com/barryvaught/buckdaley

also almost ever company makes boards just for little kids

Bill Y Bob · Posted: Apr 12, 2004 8:14 am Post subject:

I say start the kid. He'll thank you later.

pooser · Wakeboarder.com Freak Joined: 13 Jan 2003 Posts: 4738

get the board ass small as possible liquid force has a 118 and hyperlite has a 119 amd those are about as small as they come.

03Belmont · Wakeboarder.com Freak Joined: 19 Aug 2003 Posts: 4656

you could mount some bindings on a wakeskate Confused

BurkeViper · Posted: Apr 12, 2004 10:23 am Post subject:

carrollcw, Get him on the water as soon as you can! Very Happy

wawakechic · Soul Rider Joined: 30 Mar 2004 Posts: 413

I'd say as long as he's ready and willing, then let him try. I've seen small kids learn on a 128 and did just fine. If he sticks with it, then get him his own board. There are some kids who just aren't ready though and it may not be worth it to buy a kids board if it's just going to sit on the shore.

holdsworth · Posted: Apr 12, 2004 1:28 pm Post subject:

i know a guy that has a 5 y/o son and he is going to get his son riding this year.....when they start young, they will grow to be very very good Wink

x2hoss · Criminal Joined: 09 Sep 2003 Posts: 75

you have to watch when they fall forward and then they cant roll over to their backs with the board on. i started my son around that age with a small board but big bindings. so he could get the board off when he fell

finkle · Wakeboarder.com Freak Joined: 22 Sep 2003 Posts: 4067

I think you have to start them when they are ready. If you push them, they will likely get frustrated and not like it. IMO, ask them and suggest it to them but if they don't want to, then don't force them.

wkbrdmdw · Outlaw Joined: 17 Mar 2004 Posts: 215 City: palatine

i started skiing when i was 5 yrs old and ive loved beeing on the water ever since.. i think 5 yo would be perfect for a kid to start wakeboarding, because he is light u could progress him by starting off a dock first in your arms or start with him in the water with you. thats whats worked for me.

kswiss... i also agree with not pushing them, my dad never pushed me into anything and i just went from skiing to kneeboarding to wakeboarding. ive seen kids start real young but get burnt out by thier dads so that would totally suck.just let the kid gain his own interest on being on and around watersports.

holdsworth · Posted: Apr 13, 2004 11:39 am Post subject:

being with the kid is a very good idea also.......as wkbrdmdw said....back to the guy i know w/ his 5 y/o son, he always went boarding with his son between his legs and bot up like that and everything....he did that for a couple of years to have the kid get a good fell for it for when he starts on his own...very cool

Hyperlite For Life · Criminal Joined: 08 Apr 2004 Posts: 89

i have a friend whos brother is like 7 or somethin and hes pretty good for his age so 5 is prolly a good age to start at

carrollcw · Newbie Joined: 11 Apr 2004 Posts: 40 City: Goldsboro

how would you start with the child in the water with you? I could see it on skis but not a board.

young gun · Criminal Joined: 26 Jul 2003 Posts: 53

i wish i started earlier Mad

thats just me though.

Millertyme · Posted: Apr 14, 2004 3:35 pm Post subject:

mine started at 4 behind the boat

Tig · Newbie Joined: 02 Mar 2003 Posts: 27 City: Mt. Airy, MD

It is never too soon to start. However, don't push. You will lose him. I got my youngest one Scott going last summer at 6 years old. Our family was into our 3rd year of wakeboarding. Scott had been around water since birth and was very comfortable swimming. He basically watched his older brother and sister ride for two full seasons. I asked him if he wanted to try and he declined, so I just let it go. Early last season I talked him into riding double with me. He basically stood on the board between my bindings and we just "cruised". Last August he announced it was his turn to wakeboard so I strapped him into my daughter's 124 Voyager and off he went. Now he is a pain because he never wants to get into the boat. I also went and got him his own board (hyperlite 119). The weight difference for him was tremendous. It is much easier for him to handle. Good luck. Remember, If he is not laughing/smiling while you are working with him, something is wrong.

kid · Outlaw Joined: 14 Apr 2004 Posts: 248 City: chico

is there a world record for the youngest kid on a wakeboard?

cstmgsxr · Soul Rider Joined: 07 Feb 2004 Posts: 470

silver girl · Soul Rider Joined: 16 Jan 2003 Posts: 496 City: England

id start him now, id have killed for the chance to start that early, but dont push him, but he could be a future great

wakeboardpro10 · Outlaw Joined: 05 Feb 2004 Posts: 218 City: OC

my friends sister is like 4 and she wakebaorded since last season
the hard part for her was going in the deep water
she got scared of big fish Laughing

wakeboarder07 · Posted: Apr 23, 2004 7:34 pm Post subject:

if i had the choice of startin earlier i wouldve...i kinda started late and its harder 4 me than it wouldve been

lakeboarder · Posted: Apr 23, 2004 8:53 pm Post subject:

I started my kids on this Powerboard. It was very non-threatening because they were already comfortable with fooling around with boogie boards. It's basicaly just a boogie board with a towing harness. they can lay down, kneel, or try to stand up and you can tow it at 3 or 4 mph to start. once they got used to being towed behind the boat the moved right into wakeboarding

http://www.outdoorsuperstore.com/store/products/productDisplay.asp?productID=318765

carrollcw · Newbie Joined: 11 Apr 2004 Posts: 40 City: Goldsboro

i just got my LF Evo in the mail yesterday and can't wait to take it out and start learning tomorrow. Once I am comfortable enough, I will see if my son wants to double with me. I liked the idea of having him stand on the board between my legs. Good advice!

Rockitboy516 · Outlaw Joined: 03 Feb 2004 Posts: 132 City: fT.WaYne

make sure he can ski first and see how the water works and that sorta thing
plus the smallest board ive seen is the lf 118 and that would be big for him yet

Rockitboy516 · Outlaw Joined: 03 Feb 2004 Posts: 132 City: fT.WaYne

make shure you go out with him every chance you get but dont push him to were he isnt cumfy

Tig · Newbie Joined: 02 Mar 2003 Posts: 27 City: Mt. Airy, MD

Carrollcw:

A quick "detail". When you ride double with your young one, he will be basically wrapped within your arms as you grip the handle (i.e. you reach around him and grab the handle). Have him hold on to your wrists or forearms, not the handle. If you need to drop off the line, your kid will stay with you and not get "dragged". Dragging may spoil the fun.

tig

HeadRush · Posted: May 11, 2004 7:50 am Post subject:

I started working with my son when he was five and he is now seven. Be fore the wakeboard we did the kneeboard with him when he was four. We have a Hyperlite 119 for him and shortened the rope up to help get him up. Shortening the rope up really helped. Like it was said before if he/she is willing to try.

Andyboarder · Newbie Joined: 22 Jul 2003 Posts: 15 City: Duluth

I agree a 118 would be a good size for a rider. How much does he weigh

colefooter · Posted: May 11, 2004 3:17 pm Post subject:

if the 5 year old kid can swim i say start him up, the ealier the better

carrollcw · Newbie Joined: 11 Apr 2004 Posts: 40 City: Goldsboro

My son loves the water. He swims fine with a life preserver on. Right now he is still scared of being pulled by the boat. I got him on a tube last weekend and up to 4 mph, but that is it. I think he will take time. I think the key to him will be patience.

rybassett17 · Addict Joined: 11 May 2004 Posts: 562 City: Cadillac

as soon as they pop out get em on a board

Flying Tiger · Criminal Joined: 17 May 2004 Posts: 70

If where you boat allows double wakeboarding, you can get in the water with them,, and simply lift them up a few times while explaining how to do it and within minutes they get it down and can do it on their own.

I rented a kids board until they got it down (1 day), then bought small boards from out pro shop.

Thats how I did it..