camps

han*marie · Criminal Joined: 28 Jul 2005 Posts: 59 City: Waterloo

I'm planning on taking a month in the spring to go to a wakeboard camp. I've been looking at two..
-The Wakeboard Camp - www.wakeboardcamp.com
-World Wakeboard Center - www.worldwakeboardcenter.com

Has anyone ever been to either? Comments? Suggestions?

Any thoughts are appreciated Smile

Thanks!

inigoe jones · Guest

I just got back from the wakeboard camp. No question the best money I've spent on myself in years. I could only get two days in with them and I feel like I've advanced as much as i have in about two years. I've been out 3 times since getting back and there is no question I am a much better rider and more aware of what I'm doing wrong than ever before. The level of instruction I would consider highly focussed and personalized.

Had three different coaches during the two days as Kyle had to go to Spain and all three were great! Kyle, Chad and Jason (from NZ) all were really up for it and patient which surprised me considering it is the end of the season.

They have brand new Hyperlite equipment for your use and basically brand new Malibu's. malibu gives them new boats every 300 hours. We rode behind the VLX with that new tower they have. It was a sweet set up.

No question I'm going to start next season out with a week down in Clermont with them. I can't wait.

I've never been to the other one you mentioned.

inigoe jones · Guest

I just got back from the wakeboard camp. No question the best money I've spent on myself in years. I could only get two days in with them and I feel like I've advanced as much as i have in about two years. I've been out 3 times since getting back and there is no question I am a much better rider and more aware of what I'm doing wrong than ever before. The level of instruction I would consider highly focussed and personalized.

Had three different coaches during the two days as Kyle had to go to Spain and all three were great! Kyle, Chad and Jason (from NZ) all were really up for it and patient which surprised me considering it is the end of the season.

They have brand new Hyperlite equipment for your use and basically brand new Malibu's. malibu gives them new boats every 300 hours. We rode behind the VLX with that new tower they have. It was a sweet set up.

No question I'm going to start next season out with a week down in Clermont with them. I can't wait.

I've never been to the other one you mentioned.

we_laugh_indoors · Newbie Joined: 20 Jul 2005 Posts: 41 City: atlanta

check out the lavelle train station...both dean and jimmy are excellent coaches! there instruction is like no other, both have a passion for coaching and you will learn more in a week at lts than a month at the wakeboard camp. dont get me wrong, i have heard great feedback from the wakeboard camp and some really horrible feedback. give those guys a call at 954-520-0620 or check them out at www.wakeboard-school.com

ballywho · Wakeboarder.Commie Joined: 05 Feb 2005 Posts: 1725

That place seems like wayyy too much of a cross-over. You can't do wakeboarding, kneeboarding (ugh), waterskiing, and barefooting all at the same level. All four will suffer because they aren't specialized.

I'm going to the wakeboard camp next summer I think.
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midwest wake · Addict Joined: 13 Oct 2003 Posts: 629 City: Middleton

we_laugh_indoors, i've never heard bad feedback about the waekboard camp. the only thing bad about it is that they are expensive and they don't have their big names teaching all the time.

teamvaldez · Outlaw Joined: 09 Jul 2004 Posts: 131 City: Canyon Lake

http://www.otownwatersports.com

Great coaching and accomodations. Riders like Kyle Rattray, Brad Buskis and riders training there all the time like Rusty, Dallas and Danny Thollander

han*marie · Criminal Joined: 28 Jul 2005 Posts: 59 City: Waterloo

How in the world am I supposed to choose?! haha.
Talk about overwhelming!
If I were going for one week then I'd just choose and go, but because I'm going for a month -possibly more- I want to make a good choice.

Perhaps I should ask for people to inform me of negative experiences they've had at these places...?

It seems like any choice would be good.

J_DOGG · Posted: Oct 14, 2005 6:25 am Post subject:

han*marie · Criminal Joined: 28 Jul 2005 Posts: 59 City: Waterloo

J_DOGG · Posted: Oct 14, 2005 12:08 pm Post subject:

Your basic coach should keep everything fun and light while also providing good info for your particular level.

This is where it gets tricky, people at different levels expect different things.
You should expect a coach to be able to point out rider specific problems and give you specific tips on what to do to correct your problems. Not all riders have the same problem with the same trick. Most people show up with many bad habits, those are harder to break so it's almost always easier to teach someone from square one. I have seen many Intermediate riders take a step or two back during a day of coaching only to progress much further down the road once they stick with what the coach told them to work on.

Some of my best students have been kids looking to go W2W and had very basic skills, they listen to everything, try to do everything you ask them to try and absorb most of it to take home. It's the kids that can already bust some grabs and such that are looking for the first invert or first spin that have a harder time swallowing their pride and doing what they are told. A good coach will know how to work with those people and get them to understand why XYZ is important. while also giving them some things to work on that will get them to were they want to be.

Bottom line, If you make it fun and relaxed people will push themselves and absorb more.

Jimmy is one of those guys, he is a great rider for one and has the people skills to get the job done. If anyone talks to him (Jimmy) in the near future - tell him tha DOGG from the AWC says what up!!!!!

coreym · Outlaw Joined: 22 Aug 2003 Posts: 190 City: Eagan, MN

I too just got back from the wakeboard camp. Great experience. I'm not sure what level of a rider you are but be perpared to relearn the basics. Smile

I had taught myself a lot of bad habits. Sad

If there were any negatives I'd say... that if you don't have a rental car or know someone with transportation, then the nights can get a little boring, especially if Tony is watching some stupid SCI-FI movie. Smile

Also being a tall guy, the bunks were a bit short to sleep on (If you're sleeping there).

Otherwise, it was money well spent and I intend to return.

han*marie · Criminal Joined: 28 Jul 2005 Posts: 59 City: Waterloo

NorthwestRider · Posted: Oct 14, 2005 4:39 pm Post subject:

han*marie, I went to WWC and I don't think I will be going back. I went on a slow week and there was about 5 campers. I spent most of my time hanging out with a 10 and 13 year old and a 32 year old. It was kind of lame. WWC's coaches are in most cases not paided they just get free room and board. The worst thing about WWC is that they cut you off after only 20 min of riding. So right when I started getting comfortable and started trying stuff they would cut my ride short. I would spend the extra money and go to The Wakeboard Camp or The Boarding School. just my $.02

brinks · Addict Joined: 13 Jan 2003 Posts: 566 City: Orlando

orlando watersports complex does camps and clinics as well. that includes the lessons on the boat as well as slider lessons on the cable.
www.orlandowatersports.com

han*marie · Criminal Joined: 28 Jul 2005 Posts: 59 City: Waterloo

northwestrider
thanks! I really appreciate that. I would be so frustrated if I had spent the money there!

han*marie · Criminal Joined: 28 Jul 2005 Posts: 59 City: Waterloo

coreym,
How long were you there for?
I wanna know all the details Smile

what a day there looks like...how long each run is (if they have a time limit), how many week-long campers were there, how much progression you made.

I've just ended my rookie season (started in the middle of the summer...only got out a few times) and have no history with board sports. Each time I went I had a list of things to learn...for example, second time out I wanted my bunny hop, surface 180, and ride ts and switch. I got them all. I have drive to push myself. I've been told that I'm great to coach because I do what I'm told to do.

I want to go to a camp for a month to dominate Very Happy

.

All that said, I'm wondering how much I could actually learn in a month...what I can expect. Do the coaches push the riders to attain personal bets?

Thanks again everyone for your thoughts...I've knocked out WWC.
I've emailed O-town, Lavelle, and TWC with a kazillion and one questions.

Thanks! You guys are great!

coreym · Outlaw Joined: 22 Aug 2003 Posts: 190 City: Eagan, MN

han*marie,

I was there for a whole week. After that I was shot! My hands were killing me, I could barely hold the handle, and I wakeboard quite a bit in the summer. I'm not sure a whole month would be worth it. It'd be tough to make it that long. Smile

You do 3 sets a day (each 20 - 30 minutes) long.

When I was there, there was 8 of us (4 guys/4 girls) and I, at 27, was the youngest one there since all the "kids" are back in school. When I go again, it will definately be in the fall "off" season.

wakeskate77 · Outlaw Joined: 30 Jan 2003 Posts: 137 City: Atlanta

Check out orlandowake.com i took three sets with them over the weekend and learned 3 inverts. They teach every level of wakeboarding and wakesating. If your there sean and derek are there. These guys really know what there doing and you are guarenteed a good time. CHECK THEM OUT FORSURE.