View Full Version : How many have you taught this year?
jmac197
09-03-2008, 11:24 PM
Just an informal poll, maybe UMP can start one.
How many kids/adults have you taught to ski/wakeboard/foot/wakeskate/surf....you get the idea...this year?
Our boat had a slow summer, maybe because all the kids friends have learned in previous years, but we taught
2 11 yos to ski
1 12 yo to wakeboard
1 7 yo to ski
1 28 yo to ski
So how about it?
I like to think it's my contribution to the sport......plus they become instant 3rds when we need them
dapicatti
09-04-2008, 12:29 AM
We had a terrible summer- It went from spring to fall in 2 weeks literally.
We taught 4 adults to wakeboard, one 9 year old to wake board and one 6 year old got up for one run on a wakeboard if that counts. Last year it was in the double digits....
Gonzo
09-04-2008, 07:11 AM
1 7 yr old to deepwater solo on combos, kneeboard and wakeboard (big summer for her).
1 9 yr old to deepwater solo on combos
1 29 yr old (and Im sticking to that) wife to pull child on skis and tubes.
Dan K
09-04-2008, 07:40 AM
My favorite thing to do is teach kids to ski, the excitement on their face when they finally get it is so cool to see.
This summer taught 3 teenagers to Solo on combos
I think they are now hooked for life.
A 3 year old wakeboarder :banana:
http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e51/jbar2621/AUG08%20WAKEBOARDING/IMG_8346-1.jpg
ShamrockIV
09-04-2008, 08:14 AM
my crew has taught over 20 adults and kids to surf
taught my twins to wakeboard and kneeboard.
we have had a busy summer!! but man it has been a good one!!!
TMCNo1
09-04-2008, 08:49 AM
I haven't taught anybody anything, I'm a lame duck boat owner!:rolleyes::D
ProStar190Fan
09-04-2008, 08:53 AM
I haven't taught anybody anything, I'm a lame duck boat owner!:rolleyes::D
Somehow i don't believe you.:D
Tom
ShamrockIV
09-04-2008, 08:57 AM
I haven't taught anybody anything, I'm a lame duck boat owner!:rolleyes::D
i highly doubt that!! it may not have been watersports but i am sure they learned something!
the effects of teak oil on the human brain maybe??:D
NU-skier
09-04-2008, 09:03 AM
This may be cheating b/c I am the only certified USA Water Ski Instructor for our club so I get to teach at our clinics. This summer we exceeded 100 students again. We always hold three Learn2Ski events each summer and schedule up to 35 students per class. We run most students through their on water training with a boom equipped boat then move them to a boat without a boom (Wakeboarders don't use the boom boats). Being one of the 3-4 boom boats, my boat gets a ton of action (aprox 10-12 students per clinic) during these events.
My favorite this season was a really tiny girl named Georgia that was afraid to get into the water. She wanted me to promise her there were not any Gators around b/c her uncle has Gators in his lake. I then tried to explain that Gators would be afraid of my boat b/c of the Nebraska stickers on it but she was too young to understand. :) She then explained to me that her Mom signed her up to see if she could do it, b/c she isn't any good at anything. Broke my heart to hear her say that. By the end of the event, she was skiing long line behind my boat and could ski until she wanted to quit. On arriving back to shore (Parents can see the kids skiing from the shore) she couldn't wait to let them know she could do it. Sad to say, it didn't appear the parents were as excited as she was. :rolleyes:
ShamrockIV
09-04-2008, 09:06 AM
dang nuskier
first u had me laughing at the gators afraid of the cornholers stickers. please stop lying to children.
then you got me all watery eyed when the girl said they told her she was not good at anything!!
great story. i hope she gave them a big EAD when she got back!!!!!!!!
Voodoo
09-04-2008, 09:07 AM
Combo ski; 3 -- 1 adult, 1 teen, 1 tweener
Slalom ; 2 -- 1 tweener, 1 child (8)
Wakeboard -- 1
Total: 6
She then explained to me that her Mom signed her up to see if she could do it, b/c she isn't any good at anything. Broke my heart to hear her say that. By the end of the event, she was skiing long line behind my boat and could ski until she wanted to quit. On arriving back to shore (Parents can see the kids skiing from the shore) she couldn't wait to let them know she could do it. Sad to say, it didn't appear the parents were as excited as she was. :rolleyes:
That breaks my heart just reading that :mad: at least you made an impact on her life that day :D thumbs up to you Nu :headbang:
90 Maristar
09-04-2008, 09:29 AM
Going to try to teach a 7,11,54,and a 39. This weekend. The older two have experience but years ago. Any advice for me in teaching the young ones to ski? My neighbor is going to loan me training skis.
Any advice for me in teaching the young ones to ski? My neighbor is going to loan me training skis.
Patience and a full tank of gas :D
jmac197
09-04-2008, 10:13 AM
Dry land training! It will make everyone that much more comfortable knowing what to expect in the water. You can even do it on the platform.
Put the skis on and give them a handle. Have them squat down with the rope between their legs. Pull on the rope to simulate the pull of the boat and have them stand. While they are standing, make sure they have the correct body position. I like to say Hiney over heels and bend the knees and ankles.
Then put them in the water with the skiis on right behind the boat. Let them sit there with you holding onto the skis so they are comfortable in the water with skis on. Teach them how to keep the skiis under them and how to roll over on their back if they are face first. You have to make them comfortable in the water. If they don't get over their fear, they will never move forward.
There's plenty more advice, but I have to get to work.
NU-skier
09-04-2008, 10:17 AM
Going to try to teach a 7,11,54,and a 39. This weekend. The older two have experience but years ago. Any advice for me in teaching the young ones to ski? My neighbor is going to loan me training skis.
The ones that know everything are going to be the hardest to teach.
Main teaching point (besides the standard stuff: jacket and skis that fit, cannonball starting position, knees inside arms, keeping arms straight and let the boat pull you.. don't pull yourself up etc) is to tell them to watch the boat. They need to see the horizon to keep their ballance. Tell them if they look down, they will fall down.. eyes always looking forward.
Practice their pull ups on shore from the cannonball position and then again in the water with the balls of their feet on the back edge of the platform. Have them hold the handle while you pull the rope to practice pulling up without bending their arms. We let go of the rope if they bend their arms on the practice pull ups in the water. Letting them fall back into the water lets them practice falling b/c that's what they will do if they bend and pump their arms. 90% of the arm benders will fall backwards.
Their success is going to be based on your slow pull and easy action on the throttle. Big engine = ability to pull new skiers up with a progressive pull and then skiing slow vs. the grip it a rip it method used back in the 60s b/c getting the boat on plane was goal #1.
Good luck with your new students.
Muttley
09-04-2008, 10:32 AM
Daughters boyfriend - 20
A friends daughter - 18
It's been a slow year. Only two wakeboarders. It seems I've got around to teaching just about everyone. My record was an entire boy scout troup of 25 kids in one day. All but two got up (couldn't even convince them to get in the water). That was a few years ago now.
It's been a slow year. Only two wakeboarders. It seems I've got around to teaching just about everyone. My record was an entire boy scout troup of 25 kids in one day. All but two got up (couldn't even convince them to get in the water). That was a few years ago now.
That must have been a long day :D
damaged442
09-04-2008, 10:44 AM
Dry land training! It will make everyone that much more comfortable knowing what to expect in the water. You can even do it on the platform.
Put the skis on and give them a handle. Have them squat down with the rope between their legs. Pull on the rope to simulate the pull of the boat and have them stand. While they are standing, make sure they have the correct body position. I like to say Hiney over heels and bend the knees and ankles.
Then put them in the water with the skiis on right behind the boat. Let them sit there with you holding onto the skis so they are comfortable in the water with skis on. Teach them how to keep the skiis under them and how to roll over on their back if they are face first. You have to make them comfortable in the water. If they don't get over their fear, they will never move forward.
There's plenty more advice, but I have to get to work.
So far, I've taught 6 adults how to wakeboard this summer. Out of those 6, I got two up on skis. It's been an off summer for me. Normally, my numbers are a bit higher. Next year, I hope to add my kids to the numbers! My daughter is 4, and isn't too sure of the pull of the boat yet, and my son will be 2 in October. He's just old enough to putt around with me on the toob yellin for Mommy the whole time.
Damn JMac, I never paid any attention to your signature before. I see you're on Delta. I'm just about a half hour north of ya in Brantingham.
The ones that know everything are going to be the hardest to teach.
Main teaching point (besides the standard stuff: jacket and skis that fit, cannonball starting position, knees inside arms, keeping arms straight and let the boat pull you.. don't pull yourself up etc) is to tell them to watch the boat. They need to see the horizon to keep their ballance. Tell them if they look down, they will fall down.. eyes always looking forward.
Practice their pull ups on shore from the cannonball position and then again in the water with the balls of their feet on the back edge of the platform. Have them hold the handle while you pull the rope to practice pulling up without bending their arms. We let go of the rope if they bend their arms on the practice pull ups in the water. Letting them fall back into the water lets them practice falling b/c that's what they will do if they bend and pump their arms. 90% of the arm benders will fall backwards.
Their success is going to be based on your slow pull and easy action on the throttle. Big engine = ability to pull new skiers up with a progressive pull and then skiing slow vs. the grip it a rip it method used back in the 60s b/c getting the boat on plane was goal #1.
Good luck with your new students.
Going to try to teach a 7,11,54,and a 39. This weekend. The older two have experience but years ago. Any advice for me in teaching the young ones to ski? My neighbor is going to loan me training skis.
Thanks for all the advice. I think it will be a more productive weekend now. It's the little things I would have forgot to teach.
Ski-me
09-04-2008, 11:37 AM
All kinds of success this summer….especially with the boom. Every kid either improved or learned to ski this summer. I don’t remember how many by I’ll try.
Mine:
12 yr old girl, went from 2 skis to a single
10 yr old girl, went from 2 skis to a single
7 yr old girl, made it up on two skis finally
12 and 10 yr old girls, both made it up on Wakeboard
Cousins/friends:
8 or so learned to ski.
10 or so improved from last year.
Hard to tell, we’ve been pulling anyone that wanted to go.
The kids also loved to drag behind the boom. It’s amazing how quickly they get on top of the water…..maybe going 20-24 mph or so. Pretty cool letting them experience the water!!
btriantos
09-04-2008, 11:39 AM
2 - 10-12 year olds - Ropeless surfing
3 - Adults - Roped surfing
3 - Adults - Wakeboarding
jraben8
09-04-2008, 12:24 PM
Let's see...
2 adults (30+ so ages withheld) wakeboarding
6 kids on 2 skis
1 adult on 2 skis
Pretty slow year for me too...
CBergerson
09-04-2008, 01:18 PM
1 - 3 year-old daughter to ski on the skimmer right behind the boat
1 - 9 year-old girl to barefoot off the boom
1 - 9 year-old girl (my niece) to get up on 2 skis for first time
1 - 17 yo girl (friends) to wakeboard for first time
1 - 42 yo wife to get up reliably on one ski
1- 15 yo nephew to do a good job of driving the boat
1 - 42 yo wife to do the same
NU-skier: I too would like to day “thank you” for brightening Georgia’s day and planting the seed that she can do it! Well done!
...My favorite this season was a really tiny girl named Georgia that was afraid to get into the water. She wanted me to promise her there were not any Gators around b/c her uncle has Gators in his lake. I then tried to explain that Gators would be afraid of my boat b/c of the Nebraska stickers on it but she was too young to understand. :) She then explained to me that her Mom signed her up to see if she could do it, b/c she isn't any good at anything. Broke my heart to hear her say that. By the end of the event, she was skiing long line behind my boat and could ski until she wanted to quit. On arriving back to shore (Parents can see the kids skiing from the shore) she couldn't wait to let them know she could do it. Sad to say, it didn't appear the parents were as excited as she was. :rolleyes:
As for teaching this year personal “firsts” dropped from a high of 21 in 2007 to 14 in 2008 (bad weather kept the company away I guess). But here is our list for 2008:
2 (ages 5, 9) = kneeboarding – double (first time ever)
2 (ages 5, 9) = water ski on the boom – double (first time ever)
1 (age 9) = water ski on boom - first time slalom skiing
2 (age 12, 12) = wakeboarding - long line off the tower (first time ever)
1 (age 9) = wakeboarding – crossing the wake (first time ever)
3 (age 9, 41, 42) = wakeboarding – double (first time ever)
1 (age 52) = wakeskating - long line off the tower (first time ever)
2 (age 42, 52) = wakeskating – double (first time ever)
Our teaching highlight for 2008 had to be our ski-to-ski day. We took my daughter’s friend (age 9) to an in-pool learn to water ski session on Easter weekend. She learned to water ski in the pool (with me as the boat pulling the rope) in the morning. Later that day we taught her to downhill snow ski on one of the local mountains. She was super excited to learn both. I told her that she was “one in million” for learning both sports on the same day! She was so proud of herself – it was great to see. The unfortunate part is her parents are not so active, so I think that was the first and last time for both sports last year. (Note to self: Make an effort to get her out again soon.)
90 Maristar
09-08-2008, 11:26 AM
Was able to get my wife up on skis.
My sister almost made it a couple of times.
Nine year old son, tried hard.
Seven year old daughter made a good attempt.
I am not giving up on them. With the advice I received, I think everyone will be up soon. We'll try again on Saturday!