Last week I wrote about the proper age to start teaching your children how to snowboard. Since then I have had a few different people ask some really good questions about this subject. A question from Schmails really sparked my interest and I thought everyone would benefit from the response. The question he asked was:
“After reading the article “How children learn through play” and your blog suggesting to create games that keep childrens minds in the activity there are a couple things I would like to know considering you have taught many different age groups. What types of games work well to keep kids focused while trying to teach them snowboarding? Any examples? Also is there a difference in the type of game or activity that you play while teaching different age groups? Thanks.”
Snowboard Ideas
Well Schmails, thanks for asking a great question, and there are many different ways to maintain childrens focus. One of my favorite ways to keep the focus and keep it fun is to create mini challenges. The challenges you create will depend on the age, personality, and the ability of the child you are working with. I personally do not have specific challenges that I use every time I teach. The reason for this is because everyone is different, every resort/backyard is different, and I like to keep it creative and fun. I also like to ask the child/person what they like to do, and from there you can use their interests to come up with your own creative challenge.
You can create riding challenges such as carving around obstacles, or just making it to a certain part of the hill. One time I acted as a tree and the person had to stop before they hit me. That was interesting. Snowboarding is also a mental sport and it can be easy to get hurt. An important rule I teach is to make sure everyone looks up hill before they start their decent. You can start to play routine games. A game such as follow the leader can be a perfect challenge that will allow you to teach all age groups and all ability levels.
I have made snowboard angels, mini jumps, dragon castles, we named hills, the chair lifts, and the magic carpets. In snowboarding everything goes, as long as we are having fun, and we respect everyone on the hill. You know what you will be doing if you use these ideas and create a few of your own? You will be teaching someone how to Board the Midwest All Day, Everyday.
The past weekend was an epic wakeboard weekend for me. New tricks were not invented and 1080′s were not thrown off of double ups, but two people have been added to the wakeboard world and an sixty year old man proudly shredded the Mississippi River. Another reason the weekend was so epic is because all three of these people who hit the water are all a part of my family. I have been wakeboarding for over 10 years, and I have to say that this is the first time this has ever happened. After joining together as a family in the wakeboard world this past weekend, I am completely Amped to spread the word of wakeboarding to other families, parents, friends, brothers, sisters, grandmas, and grandpas. This past weekend proves that wakeboarding is a family sport, so the next time you are out on your boat, make sure to give a family member a call to come out and shred the knar.
The New Wakeboarders
This is my sister Nicki. This picture shows you the first time she has been up on a wakeboard ever. Wouldn’t you know it, she called me the other day asking me to find her a board. I am so glad she came out on the boat, and gave wakeboarding a try. She got up on her second try, and looked like a natural on the board!
Who would have thought? My brother-in-law Cory is back on the water and wakeboarding for his first time ever. He was a little skepticle if he was going to get up, but we knew he was not going to let my sister show him up. Keeping it short, he is talking about selling their camping trailer to buy a boat. A boat that I will probably be jealous of for the rest of the time I am alive! That is just what he does and how he rolls!
Well Ladies and Gentleman, this is my Dad. Pauly is in his sixties, and still killing it on a wakeboard. If this isn’t inspiration to get out and get yourself on a wakeboard, I don’t know what is. If I had to set a goal for myself it would be to wakeboard well into my sixties. I don’t see anything stopping my dad, and I really don’t see any reason why we all can’t Board the Midwest All Day, Everyday. Mom, U R up next!!
Wakesurfing is a sport that is growing like a Halloween snake. The sport has been around for awhile and a flame has recently been lit that is taking wakesurfing to the next level. Boats are getting bigger, ballast systems are producing monster waves, and wakesurf board manufactures are coming out of the wood work. Even with the growth of the sport I still see many looks of confusion as I talk about wakesurfing.
For those of you who are still wondering what wakesurfing is, here is a short and simple explanation. Wakesurfing is surfing behind a boat that is weighed properly and creates a wave big enough to surf on. The rider usually starts with a rope and once the boat gets up to speed, about 10-14 mph, the rider can throw the rope into the boat and surf for days. Wakesurf boards are shorter than ocean boards, aerial tricks are preformed, there are different styles of wakesurfing, and wakesurf competitions are happening all over the world.
If you are still confused, check out the video below of James Walker from Flyboy Wakesurfing putting on a show of what can really be done behind a boat. Learning these tricks is never easy, but if you learn to wakesurf you will be one step closer to Boarding the Midwest All Day, Everyday!
Last week I wrote about the proper age to start teaching your children how to snowboard. Since then I have had a few different people ask some really good questions about this subject. A question from Schmails really sparked my interest and I thought everyone would benefit from the response. The question he asked was:
can be easy to get hurt. An important rule I teach is to make sure everyone looks up hill before they start their decent. You can start to play routine games. A game such as follow the leader can be a perfect challenge that will allow you to teach all age groups and all ability levels.
