Proud Dad, what can I say...Sunday was the first day they got up on their own behind the boat. My Daughter is 7 and my son is 5. <img src="http://www.wakeworld.com/MB/Discus/messages/65919/349459.jpg" alt="Upload"> <BR><img src="http://www.wakeworld.com/MB/Discus/messages/65919/349460.jpg" alt="Upload"> <BR><img src="http://www.wakeworld.com/MB/Discus/messages/65919/349461.jpg" alt="Upload"> <BR><img src="http://www.wakeworld.com/MB/Discus/messages/65919/349462.jpg" alt="Upload">

that handel looks like its 2 ft wide...

That is awesome. What kind of boat and at what speed was it? My wife and daughter are gonna try this weekend.

WOW!!! Thats awesome, congratulations on being a great Dad!!! <BR> <BR> <BR>Sean

Yeah, that is my 17" handle. It has the softer grip, my other one is an older one that has rubber tractor grip. The kids dont like it because it hurts their hands. Our boat is an 05' X-2(see Profile) and I was averaging between 13-15 mph. One time I was too busy watching and when I looked down, my daughter was doing 20 mph like it was nothing....

very cool!

thats cool to see kids start young. but that handle looks HUGE!!

way cool bro, <BR>what board?

Yeah, the handle does look big when they are holding it. The are using a HL Motive 119 and Spin Bindings(Mini). I started getting them up on a boom about a month ago. It is real easy on the boom with them holding on to the boom first and then adding a handle.

Never too young to start> My daughter started at 5. She can rip it up! She also likes this.<img src="http://www.wakeworld.com/MB/Discus/messages/65919/349773.jpg" alt="Upload">

how come there is no wake in the above pjotos

Chris, <BR>You use a surf rope or just shorten your reg rope. Once you get up just get in the wake and hang on for a while. Once you feel confident and there is a lot of slack, just throw the rope in the back of the boat and surf. <BR>We do it on days where the water is not so good. <BR>Otherwise we do this.<img src="http://www.wakeworld.com/MB/Discus/messages/65919/349780.jpg" alt="Upload"> <BR> <BR>(Message edited by roughrivermike on July 25, 2006)

Hey Byrd nice pics of your kids. I may be over that way this weekend if I am I,ll give you a call and let you try out my wake.

Byrd, <BR>Do your kids do INT? That will really get them motivated. Wait till you see how proud you are when they have medals hanging around their necks.

Byrd, That is cool! I'm trying to get my kid's motivated to try wakeboarding. I think they are scared. anyone have any advice for getting my 6 and 11 year old boy's to try it, and a perfect speed? Byrd you were talking about a boom? can you explain more about this. <BR> <BR>Thank's all!

Jesse, I just got my 6-year-old son started 2 weeks ago. I picked up a lot of good advice from people on WW. Each kid is different so think you have to try a few thing to get a feel for what will help them the most. <BR> <BR>I started first by fitting him in board in the back yard in the seated position with a rope and handle just to get him familiar with the pull and how to let the pull do the work of getting up. <BR> <BR>Next we moved to a sandbar in the river we boat on. In about 1ft of water I pulled him along the shore. After about 20 times and a mild stroke….. we moved to the boat. <BR> <BR>On the boat we put him about 15ft out with me holding the rope (so that when he fell I could let the rope go slack). This worked great, he popped right up went about 20 yards and dropped off, I was able to let go of the rope (as planned) jump in and hang with him until the boat came around to try again. This seems to be working for us, he is comfortable and each pull he is doing better. <BR> <BR>Good luck, Brian. <BR><img src="http://www.wakeworld.com/MB/Discus/messages/65919/349839.jpg" alt="Upload"><img src="http://www.wakeworld.com/MB/Discus/messages/65919/349840.jpg" alt="Upload">

That's huge help, Thank's Eustace. I'm gonna try as soon as they get back from camping (I hate work). Cool pic's, Look's like our 6 year old's are about the same size, I hope this practice work's on my 11 year old he is a big kid. Maybe time for me to hit the gym.

Sorry for the delay in answering the questions. the boom is usually sold as a Barefoot Boom, and they can hold onto the boom or you can attach a handle to it. By using the boom, you can go as slow as 10 mph, but once they got up behind the boat, I usually average about 13-15 mph. <BR> <BR>Mike, What is INT?

Byrd, <BR> <BR>INT League is where most kids get started doing competitions, it is based on skill. Check out this link: <a href="http://intleague.com" target="_blank">http://intleague.com</a>

Thanks Chuck. I checked it out and there is no INT League in Florida. I am going to check out what it's all about and see if I can get something going in the area. If you have any info or suggestions, email me or send me a PM.

Some pics of my son with me and his uncle. First time was last week. He loved it. Key is that they are not scared and want to do it. Hoping to get him his own board soon. <BR> <BR><img src="http://www.wakeworld.com/MB/Discus/messages/65919/350872.jpg" alt="Upload"> <BR><img src="http://www.wakeworld.com/MB/Discus/messages/65919/350873.jpg" alt="Upload"> <BR><img src="http://www.wakeworld.com/MB/Discus/messages/65919/350874.jpg" alt="Upload">