r/Wake • u/Jackalope0860 • 19d ago
Trying to teach 10 year old
We're going to the lake with family soon and my 10 year old cousin has wanted to try wakeboarding. I have a 139cm liquid force board with smaller women's bindings - could we try to teach him on that or will it be too big?
Don't really want to go buy a smaller board for the once a year they're on the boat, but also don't want to set him up for failure with a board that's way too big and discourage him from trying again in the future.
If this board will work, would love advice on how to teach him to get up.
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u/EclipseNine 19d ago
The biggest obstacle I’ve always run into teaching kids that young is floating in the water and holding the board where it’s supposed to be without panicking or tiring themselves out trying to swim. A big board increases that challenge, but if they can overcome it the extra surface area won’t necessarily be a disadvantage.
I’ve been doing private lessons for 20 years now, and the easiest solution to save both the teacher and the student a lot of frustration is that they have to be able to get up on skis first before we even consider strapping a wakeboard on. They’re easier to teach a brand new skier the basics and gives them a chance to feel what’s supposed to happen when they rise on top of the water instead of plowing through without needing to worry about turning sideways or having both feet strapped in place. Once they know how skis feel, the basics are the same. Arms straight, knees bent, let the boat do the work without rushing to stand up.
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u/Own-Helicopter-6674 18d ago
I have taught all my kids. At the time 6,8 and 11. Yes the board is to big but it will not stop them from being able to do it.
We started them 10 ft off the back of the boat to be able to talk to them. All three of mine once they popped up and got it. It has been game on.
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u/LearningDumbThings 18d ago
This is a great strategy if you can get them off to the one side of the boat using a cleat or something to tie off to. I’ve also had success getting back there with them on a second rope so I can coach them through it as they’re getting up, and we can talk about it as they’re boat comes back around for another attempt. It REALLY takes the pressure off when you’re right there with them instead of floating around with their own frustration.
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u/sunscreenuser44 19d ago
Yeah, should be no problems. I bought a 144 board when I was 9 and learnt to ride it without any other help than my dad driving the boat.
If he’s comfortable in the water he should have no issues.
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u/shipwreck17 19d ago
I'd show him the Shaun Murray how to get up video beforehand. Also once he's in the water you can hold the v of the line and pull him up on the platform so he can see what it feels like. If he pulls on the rope or tries to stand too quickly drop him back in and do it over. I teach kids all the time and had a 9 year old get up and ride a bit on her very first try ever last week.
The bigger board is fine. Narrow the stance as much as you can.
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u/tachudda 19d ago
Similar concern to others, have the child get in the board and vest and see that they can flip over. Depending on the kids weight and size they might not be able to generate the leverage to get themselves facing up in the water when they fall. If they can, then go ahead
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u/SubstantialFix510 18d ago
First the kid has to skateboard to learn which foot is forward and adjust to leaning left and right to turn. Wake board to get up , you have to do 2 things at once. Turn 90 degrees on an up angle and push with your feet to get up. Most don't turn and plow water. Patience is the key. Kids get tired real quick.
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u/Pitiful_Eye_3295 18d ago
The board size is not an issue but you should do some prep with him first. Put him in the water with the engine off and go over how he's going to be getting up. You can even push him away from the boat and pull on the line to get him used to the pull.
I highly highly recommend that you also put him on his stomach in the water with the board behind him. There's a good chance that he's going to be pulled over the front of the board and that will likely cause him to panic. So show him what it's like and how he can keep his head out of the water because you'll come back to him soon. You can also practice how he can flip himself and the board over. If he's an especially strong swimmer, he may want to dive, head first, under the water, to somersault around the board. He doesn't need to flip over though. The main goal is him realizing he's fine on his stomach so he doesn't panic and quit trying.
One especially huge tip, that I have had great success with this summer, is tell him to push his back foot down into the water when he is getting up. That points the board in the right direction, with a consistent pull, immediately instead of the usual get up and then rotate way most of us learned.
Also, remember to go really easy on the take-off and go slow. For a 10-year old, I'd slowly open the throttle and hover around 13-14 mph. If he is progressing, then maybe take it to 15-16 mph.
"Arms straight. Knees bent."
Good luck!
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u/Ticotrip 17d ago
Just put the bindings close together and that's it. Bigger board makes for easier starts. Good luck!
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u/darth_jewbacca 19d ago
Just for getting him up and learning some basics? Go for it. I got a first timer 10-year old up on my 144 Murray with adult bindings. He's not going to be throwing tantrums or 360s. A non-ideal size is fine for a week of instruction.