So im just an average rider (3s, grabs, inverts) with no exceptional rail riding abilities. My dad is headed down to Orlando for a business trip in a week or two and is talkin about draggin me with. I would really like to go to OWC but im afraid im gonna get there and freeze up because everyones riding there will be so out of my league. Am I just gonna be terrified to hit it when I get there??? Are people waiting gonna be pissed if I fall??? Just curious cause I really know nothing of the place but think it would be sweet to get some boarding in while I wait for the ice to melt in minnesota.

Its only intimidating for like the first pass, no worse than a contest run. Afer that you cannot get out there enough. You will have a blast!

You will be in the middle of the pack, so don't be intimidated, and anyways, you should ride for yourself and have fun for yourself, don't even pay attention to what others are doing if it's going to bother you. Yea, there's some rippers, but then theres the people you wonder why they are even on the rail cable. You will love the kickers and boxes, and pick them up easily. It is definitely worth going, I always followed my dad down there every time he went. You can rent all the needed gear at the Performance there, so I would just bring a wetsuit and jacket, but get there early in the morning to ensure you get the right bindings and such. You will have a blast, really nothing to worry about. AND, people will actually be happy when you fall b/c it opens up a spot! Just swim out of the way intelligently and quickly, don't ride down the middle (if you're not hitting an obstacle at least go near it so your wakes don't affect the person behind you) and enjoy riding away from your first rail!

Sweet!!! Thanks guys! I was pry gonna ride my obrien demented there... Is it ok to keep the 1.1 glock fins on or should I pull them??? I dont know if theres rules on fins there or not and how big they can be so if anyone can fill me in that would be sweet.

i would take them off anyway, they only mess you up on rails and kickers, i even hate boards with molded fins when I'm there, the flatter the better. <BR> <BR>and if you fall just just get out of the way quickly, and don't swim past a rail when somone is about to go for it...just wait until there is a clearing. <BR> <BR>Some of the kids there are amazing but they're not <font color="ff0000">•</font><font color="ff0000">•</font><font color="ff0000">•</font><font color="ff0000">•</font><font color="ff0000">•</font><font color="ff0000">•</font><font color="ff0000">•</font><font color="ff0000">•</font> so you don't have to worry about that...everyone has to start somewhere <BR>when are you planning on going, if you need a board to ride I have an older byerly so you don't have to beat yours up

Like andy said. <BR> <BR>Butterfies until you take your first pass. Then, you'll be addicted.

There are two cables. One is generally used by beginners. I see people falling down right off the launch on the beginner cable all the time. There are lots of people going to OWC that know nothing about wakeboarding, and are doing it for the first time. If anything it's exactly the kind of place where you can learn and feel good about it. <BR> <BR>So you really have nothing to be concerned about. The other cable is used by people who have an idea what they are doing and can get up without falling. So if you already know how to board then you are doing better than a quarter of the people who are usually out there. <BR> <BR>The rail can be scary the first time but the table top is easy and good place to get started sliding. A molded fin board is your best bet. You can use 1.1" fins if they are not metal.

Thanks for all the Input guys!!! I dont feel so sketchy on it now. <BR> <BR>Nick thanks for the offer with the board but my demented is already throttled on the bottom so ill pry just take that and I got an old byerly to that I could bring so im set there. If I come though maybe ill give you a holler and we could do some riding but im not even sure if my dads gonna bring me yet so will see.

let me know...I'll be down here until the end of march...after that its back to Wisco

OWC is the <font color="ff0000">•</font><font color="ff0000">•</font><font color="ff0000">•</font><font color="ff0000">•</font><font color="ff0000">•</font><font color="ff0000">•</font><font color="ff0000">•</font><font color="ff0000">•</font> will be there on Monday!

good info guys, I've actually got a similar situation and am headed there in about a month, can't wait. Hoping to hook up a real pull when I'm there as well if anyone ever has some extra room.

i go to owc almsot everyday...im sure you'll be fine it may take some time to get used to the rails if your mainly a boat rider. people there are usually pretty chill. youll have a lot of fun <img src="http://www.wakeworld.com/MB/Discus/clipart/happy.gif" border=0>

if you're here before the end of march let me know... I'm here with out boat until my momey runs out, which is looking like 6 weeks

Anna, do you get homeschooled? I know I've been there and seen Nicola at like noon on weekdays, the only thing I could think would be all you youngsters who just kill it must be home schooled, because if so...thats awesome

Nick, March 11th-17thish. I'll shoot you an email before I take off

yeah just let me know

when i went there i was scared i was gonna mess something up, but everyone was super chill <BR>your gonna get really sore tho, riding a cable is tireing if you havnt ridden all winter

I don't think I'd be worried about what others are thinking. I went there once during my toe jam trip and it was an evening sesh. There weren't a ton of people there, but you had all abilities covered. It was also my first time riding the cable and it definitely takes some getting used to. I pretty much sucked ass on my wakeskate and it was humbling, so I would not go there all serious. It was very cool for me to finally make it out there though, so when you go, I hope you enjoy the experience!

Nick, no i'm not home schooled.

Then you are seriously my hero.... if you ever want to boat ride we're out all the time, but i'm sure OWC hooks you up pretty good, and they have a nicer boat -- I'm excited next time I go just to watch you girl ride...its so impressive

The nice thing about being a young wakeboarder in Orlando is the ability to be schooled via internet.

thanks nick <IMG SRC="http://www.wakeworld.com/MB/Discus/clipart/happy.gif" ALT=":-)" BORDER=0> i dont really ride the boat at owc to much. im not sponsored by them or anything so they dont really hook me up haha. thanks for the offer on the boat ride...im always up to take a set. <BR> <BR>I was accually thinking of getting home schooled next year...but my dad really wants me to do well in school and he thinks if i get home schooled im never going to keep up with school work because all i would want to do is wakeboard.

I came down to Winter Haven for a few months from wisconsin, and had to stay in school to keep my parents off my back, so I'm doing everything online...and it is sooo hard to try to get things done when its 80 and the lake is butter.... I have some friends in winter park who make the trip to winter haven quite a bit if you ever want to ride let me know <BR>its a older nautique 210

Wow, i had no idea you're 14...i feel like some creepy old guy inviting you to ride... **just to clear thigns up for everyone, I'm not a creepy old guy** <BR>Thanks

Jesse, The first time I went to OWC I thought the same as you. I took some passes on the beginner lake to get used to starting on the dock and the operator gave me a lot of tips before I took off. After about 4 runs, it started to get dark and they moved everyone to the intermediate/advanced side where it is lit up at night. For me, it was easier to ride on the advanced side because the cable pulled me at about the same speed as I am used to behind the boat. Nothing like riding at night on a glassy lake with no one else on it. <BR> <BR>I think they have a rule against riding with fins on both lakes if I remember correctly. <BR> <BR>Also took some lessons with Mike there and he was pretty cool and very helpful on the boat lake.

haha. its kool.

<i>"I think they have a rule against riding with fins on both lakes if I remember correctly."</i> <BR> <BR>The only rule regarding fins is no metal or large fins *on the sliders*. You can put a whale tail on your board otherwise.