surfing with the kids

[Shamus]

We were out on the lake last night with a couple friends and my two daughters. I got tired of hearing "DADDY I WANT TO LEARN TO SURF!!!!" I was running out of excuses, two girls that have been boating since they were 6 months old, completed level 1 swimming lessons, spend a month every summer with Grandma and Grampa on Shuswap Lake and spend a lot of time in the winter at the ski hill in the winter don't take "your too little" very well. So I thought what the heck, I had my oldest (6.5 yrs) lay with her feet on the board in front of me and I just tried getting up the normal way. Worked perfect the first time...now before I get any grief about havin a 6 yr old on a surfboard with me for obvious danger reasons, we were only at about 8mph, nobody on the lake and life jacket, wetsuit etc. My wife is a vey experienced driver and I can surf as well as anybody. Anyway, she had a BLAST!! (I forgot to mention she can ride an indo board as well). We rode until she actually got bored! We made it about 4 or 5 minutes with no rope! I think I have a natural!! We just took it slow for quite a while and after she was feeling comforable we threw the rope in and surfed away! Pretty big deal around our house.

So anyway I attached a couple pics, I have some video I just have to upload to youtube. I will try to put it up later.

Peace River C-20110622-00076.jpg

Peace River C-20110622-00080.jpg

Here is my favorite!!
Peace River C-20110622-00077.jpg

when we were done I would just ride out of the wave, pick her up and let the board go in the opposite direction. No problem
Peace River C-20110622-00078.jpg

I rode with my other daughter who is 4.5 years as well, she had a great time as well. I am going to have to start looking for a GROM board pretty soon

[jbort]

Nice pics and thx for sharing. Great job and kudos bigtime. Wonderful fun too. Several folks do this and generally seems safe. Good going Dad.

[Surfdad]

So cool!

[IDBoating]

Nothing better than having fun with the kids! Great job, and glad they've got enthusiastic attitudes!

[Duncan]

Awesome family fun!

[h2osk8er00]

I wish wakesurfing was around when I was a teen.. that would have been a good sport to up and come in... She's going to be wicked good if she keeps at it! Awesome Pictures!

[ragboy]

Great stuff, looks like fun.

[sagmanaur]

That's awesome!

[jrobertson]

Same type of story with my son who is only 5. He wanted to go so my friend was up to ride and did the same thing. He has since done it with his 3 yr old as well. The kids get bored wakesurfing....that keeps their attention and they just love it. We are on vacation all next week and plan on all the kids getting up with me. Will be sure to post some pictures.

[ragboy]

I did a video, where I get in the water with the kids, and show you how to help them up. The only thing is you need a small board, like the walker project grom. You need a safe place to do it, because the boat leaves you in the water if they get up. But I spent a few days and with several kids to work out the best way to help them. Jesse (6) is almost ready to let go of the rope, it is so cool. Keep it up.

Here is that video, I hope it helps. Post pics, love to see those kids getting up.



and part 2



Good luck!

[mls6722]

Ragboy, Great instructional video - I am just learning and trying to teach friends and family - these videos are so helpful. Thanks.

[Shamus]

Yes those are good videos...I have watched them both quite a few times

Rag, I heard you are doing some tests on the RZR...any truth to that rumour??

[ragboy]

No, its not a rumor. Excited to get my hands on that boat for a day. And will have Dennis with us, to surf both sides. He is the perfect tester, 260+ and surfs great on both sides.

[Shamus]

Cool...

[brykerwoods]

Nice Shot Shamus. One of my favorite things to do is get our little ones up on the board w/me.