Jonathan Tollefson

the WakeBoard Clinic.com

For the pasted month I got tangled up in putting together a winch park for the Clinic.  If you have not heard about the WakeBoard Clinic, Click Here and go to their site.  Better yet, if you live in Michigan or the Midwest, come hang out, take a few sets, and step up your wakeboard game instantly.

The Winch Park

Alright, here is what we are working with.

Two flat 12 foot rails and two 6 foot up Rails.  Since this picture was taken, we have added another 12 foot section and a 16 foot up that should be killer.

Because the rails are in sections, the options are endless.  We have tested a few already.  The rails are designed so they fit side by side to make a 24 inch box slider for young kids and beginners.

Hopefully this will make you want to come to southeast Michigan and put your skillz to the test.  The summer is here and wetsuit season is over.  It’s time to ride.

Maybe this short Video will help you understand what we are getting into, and what you could be getting into too.

If you and your friends want to come out for a winch session, hit up Brian at the WakeBoard Clinic, or shoot me a message on my Facebook Page.  Bring your parents, bring your dogs, and don’t forget your cameras because you know we will have fun Boarding the Midwest All Day, Everyday.

The 2011 wakeboard season is officially on in the Midwest.  The weather has kept us indoors for way to long and we didn’t know when it was going to break.  Well, it’s broke, so enjoy a few pics from last week.  Goods times on a wakeboard, and better camera work to come!

Andrew throwing down a Switch Front Side 180 and a Heal Side 180 making mirror images (almost).

Do you really want to know what this post has helped me figure out? It has helped me figure out that I need to take a lot more pictures, that I need a better camera, and more camera angles.  The Kodak Zi8 is a killer camera, but not the best for shots from the boat.

Either way, the wakeboard season has started, and wakeboarding is one way we will be Boarding the Midwest All Day, Every Day.

Are you going to be behind a boat soon?  If so, PROVE IT, and post pictures up on my Facebook Fan Page!!

History has been made in the wakeboard industry.  7 year old Zahra Kell threw down her first invert and has taken the crown for the youngest girl to ever do a invert on a wakeboard.  Unreal.  Check out the video.

Wakeboard Inverts and Holding on Tight

So what I think is more unreal than the little girl landing the flip is how she landed it.

To All Wakeboarders, this is where you need to listen!

I believe there is one major reason that Zahra landed this trick.  Yeah she probably had some really good coaching, her parents probably own a boat, and she obviously has the guts to throw herself upside down.  Oh yeah, she is young and can take a beating also.  All these are not the reasons I think she landed that trick.

I think the major reason she landed this invert is because she had the guts to hang on.  She fought all the way through this trick.  If you watched the video above you will see that Zahra butt checks and fights to stand up after she throws the trick.  I believe this fighting point is where most people give up and let go.  Not Zahra though.  She didn’t get scared, she didn’t let go, and if she keeps this up there is a good chance you will see her at the top.

As for yourself, I think you need to take this little 7 year old’s courage and hang onto it for the rest of the summer.  If there is a trick that you have tried over and over, give it one more attempt and hang on until the brutal end.  You will be amazed at how many more tricks you will learn and at how many more you will actually land.

I have personally seen this situation over and over.  My friends do it all of the time, and I believe hanging on through the whole trick is one of the hardest things to do when you are first learning a trick.  But let me tell you, you have to do it.  It is rare that you will land a new trick clean.  I can’t think of any tricks that I didn’t fight through.  To be honest, I still end up fighting through tricks.  If I didn’t have to fight, I don’t think I would be improving.

So what are you going to do? Are you going to hang on like Zahra? Are you going to land that new trick you have always wanted to land?  Hang on tight and you will be a lot happier Boarding the Midwest All Day, Everyday.  There is no doubt.

Within the month I hope we jump back into these drysuits and hit the water.  The wakeboard season is here and I can’t wait to see what comes in 2011.  I have some slider plans that I need to be put into action.  What are your wakeboard plans for 2011?

O’Neill Drysuit

If you are looking for a good drysuit be sure to check out O’Neill suits.  They have not let me down yet and they also help me Board the Midwest All day, Everyday!

What are you doing to get out on the water in early spring?

Last year I wanted a boat, the year before that I wanted a boat, the year before that I wanted a boat, and….

Now I need a boat.

For the past few years the wakeboard seasons started off great.  We wakeboarded so much that it felt like it was taking over life (which is the ultimate goal).  This usually lasts for a couple of months.

After the couple of months drop off so does our time on the water.  This is when I need a boat.  I can’t stand this.  It happens for many different reasons.  I am very grateful for the people who invite me to come out and ride, and I hate when I can’t get out because I do not have a boat.

The dwindle period usually happens when I am in my prime and ready to stomp new, old, and tricks that you have never seen before.  My muscles feel good, I could ride for hours, and all of the sudden I don’t have a boat to ride behind.  How can a person improve?

Check the summary of my wakeboard life in 2010.

March – Put in Lift

April – Wakeboarded 7 times

May – Wakeboarded 11 times

June -  Wakeboarded 12 times

July – Wakeboarded 3 times

August thru. September – I probably wakeboarded a hand full of times

Do you know how it feels when you are in your prime (June)  and then can’t participate in your sport for weeks on end?  It Sucks!!

This is the reason I need a boat.  I don’t know what is possible if I can wakeboard consistently week in and week out for a whole year.  No I do not have to board everyday, but I can’t wakeboard for two months straight and then stop.  It just doesn’t work.

Overall… I feel like it is my responsibility and I know what I am going to do about it.  It might take delivering pizzas, baby sitting may be an option, and I know I will be at the cable park a lot more this year!

If you want it bad enough, you to can Board the Midwest All Day, Everyday. All it takes is the addition of a boat in your life.  How are you going to get yours??