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!

I have heard this snowboard question before, and I am here to answer it today.  At what age can your kids start snowboarding?  If you ask me, I would start teaching them as soon as they walk.

I bought my niece her first snowboard when she was three.  From there we took her to the backyard and to a couple super small hills.  We did not take her to a resort.  Just find a hill where your kids can pick up a little bit of speed.  This will allow them to ride in a very safe environment, and it will let them learn how it feels to have a board strapped to their feet.  You will be amazed how well balanced kids are and how fast they catch on to riding the board down the hill.

The most important part is that you make sure your kids are having fun.  It should also be fun teaching them how to shred.  When they are little you will be pushing them all over the hill which lets you make up all kinds of games and activities to keep their mind into it.  I think if you start your kids young there is a good chance you will soon be Boarding the Midwest All Day, Everyday.

Taking wakeboard pics is not really my forte, but thank Kelly B. (my girl) because she snapped some.

Enjoy what we have and feel free to email me with your best wakeboard pictures.

I will add the pic of the week to my Water Wednesday blog posts!

jonathantollefson@gmail.com

Send me your pictures!!

Kelly Shreds Too!!

Let the World See You!!

Board the Midwest All Day, Everyday!

With day snowboard passes reaching $40-45, and season passes climbing over $500 dollars, it is hard to see why people love the sport of snowboarding so much.  What a lot of people don’t know is that we who love to snowboard find creative ways to board without going to the hill.  One way many of us get on the snow more is by getting off the couch, going outside, we pick up a shovel, and build ourselves a backyard snowboard park.

I love creating and building different snowboard obstacles in the backyard, or anywhere else that you can find some open land.  One of my favorite hits to build is a simple wall.  The only materials you need are a couple saw horses, a 4′X8′ piece of plywood, and a little bit of the white fluffy stuff.  From there the options are endless, and the the tricks you can preform are amazing.  This winter get off your butt and go for it.  I have just given you one of the best ways to Board the Midwest All day Everyday!

Before I talk anymore about cable parks and about my 2011 Cable Park Tour.  I should fill you in on what a cable park is.

Cable Parks

A simple explanation of a cable park is a body of water where you get pulled by a rope that is connected to a overhead cable.  The cable is run by an electric motor which allows multiple people to wakeboard at the same time without the use of a boat.  Every rider on the cable can ride until they fall.  After they fall the cable will pull the rope around to the next rider, and they will be off and riding in a blink of an eye.  Along with getting pulled around the lake by a cable, the lakes are usually littered with obstacles that you can slide, bonk, or hit at your free will.  Obstacles come in all variations, and the most common obstacles include sliders and kickers.

If you don’t have a boat and want to learn how to wakeboard, look up a cable park, go there, and ride till your arms fall off.  You will never regret it, and everyone can do it.  I went to Wake Nation a few days ago, and there was a 60 year old bush whacker out there testing her skills.  If she could do it, so can you!  The best thing about cable parks:  They give us all another way to Board the Midwest All Day Everyday.

Congratulations to Jack H. for answering last weeks blog about Michigan Snowboard Companies.  Because he was the smartest and fastest out of the group, he is taking home a brand new Dragon Snowboard Beanie.  I hope it keeps your head warm, and thank you for reading jonathantollefson.com.

Two Michigan Snowboard Companies

Marhar Snowboard Co. located on the west coast of Michigan, started a couple of years ago, and is bringing a whole new aspect to riding.  These guys are innovative and are building boards with original shapes that have the potential to revolutionize the snowboard industry.  Their boards are made with killer materials which I am going to keep secret.  If you are interested in a sweet ride, look’em up at www.marharsnowboards.com.

Epix Snowboard Company is located on the eastern coast of Michigan, and has been on the map since early 2000.  They design boards that I have seen rode in competitions around the state, and I have recently seen posts of them adding more presses to their shop.  From graphics to board construction, Epix will build a board that fits you.  Looking for a killer 2010/2011 board to add to your quiver be sure to check Epix out at www.epixsnowboards.com.

Earlier I wrote about ways to get into wakeboarding. Well today I have found another way for you to start your journey into the wakeboard world.  Heck this could be the way wakeboarding started; I doubt it, but who can really say?  Check out this picture!

Another way to Wakeboard

What do you think?  Is it wakeboarding?  Does it really matter?  I don’t think so.  I have to admit that getting pulled around the lake on a piece of plywood is one of the most memorable rides I have ever had.  You should try it!  For those of you who love to wakesurf, check out the wake behind this guy.  If they had another rope and you had a board, I could see you right behind him trying to ride that mushy wave.  This could be as redneck as it gets, but I have give it up to these people.  They have just given us all another way to board the Midwest all day, everyday.

I am down with all of the big companies that build snowboards, but I have to support the snowboard companies in the Midwest and especially the local boys of Michigan.  There are two companies in MI and I think everyone should know them.  Instead of letting the Michigan economy bum them out, these two companies are building reputations, building a business, and their boards are killer.  Can you name the two snowboard companies?

Name two Michigan Snowboard Manufactures to Win!

The first person to leave a comment and answer the questions below will be awarded with a Dragon Snowboard Beanie.  Please use your correct email address because I will have to contact you in order to send you the winning hat.

Leave a comment with these four questions answered:

1. Name both Snowboard companies

2.  Include links to the snowboard companies websites

3.  Where they are located

4.  A fun fact about each of the companies

Good luck and and get yourself a beanie!

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Lately I have been trying to figure out how I can fit into the Wakeboard, Snowboard, and Wakesurf industries.  With so much going on in each of these industries it is hard to keep up and it is even harder to fit in.  Without worrying about fitting in, I keep myself involved in anyway that I can.  With this said, I have come up with a new idea and have started a plan that will help spread the word of wakeboarding and cable parks.  My new idea is to do a US Wakeboard Cable Park Tour in 2011.

Wakeboard Cable Park Tour for 2011

In the picture above I have mapped out 15 different stops that I could hit in 2011.  From the time I have started my plan, I have found out that there are 40+ cable parks in the US, and I am sure by the time I put this together there will be a lot more US cable parks to tour.  Not to mention the 60 or so that are already up and running across seas!

Like I said, I just started to plan this project, and I still have to figure out many of the details.  I would love to get some of your feedback to see what you think about an idea like this.  As I continue on this journey, I will keep you posted on everything that I find and plan on doing.  Again, your feedback and input would be much appreciated, and I hope to meet a lot of good people along the way.

I hate to say it, but summer is on its way out.  Do you need a new snowboard to start the season off right?  If so, I am always about getting your moneys worth, and these are the four best places I have found to buy a board.

1.  Local Snowboard Shops

Look for tent sales, early season deals, late season deals and talk with the folks who know what is going on in the industry.  You will surely find these people at your local shop.

2.  Brociety.com

In the same family as Whiskey Militia and Steep and Cheap.  You might have to become addicted to these sites to find a deal, but it’s worth it, don’t worry, everyone does it.  Just click for the latest snowboard deal.

3.  The House Boardshop

Located in Minnesota, and my favorite shop of all time.  The House.  The place is full of cool knowledgeable people, their website is easy to use, and they have always hooked me up.  Everyone should know them!

4.  Craigslist

You just never know what you will find.  If you know what you want,  check it out for sure!

Your Ideas?

Do you have a favorite shop or site that you go to?  Please leave a comment.  This is your time to support!!