Tag: Wake Station

Board Review: Hyperlite Soul Mate

On By lex270In Uncategorized, WakeboardingLeave a comment

I am riding the 2020 Hyperlite Soul Mate this year and so I thought I would fill you in on what I think of it!

I started off on the 2020 Hyperlite Pleasure in October last year, which rides like an absolute dream, and the Soul Mate is its sister board as its women focussed.  It is a little lighter and so its great for spins because you won’t get spin-lag. The board has a wood core and also comes with Hyperlites custom Satin Flex so we can get deeper into those presses in the park.  With sized-up technology, meaning the technology has advanced so much that the board can be made longer but with no extra weight, it comes in a 142cm which makes it super soft on landings. Its got a sintered base and urethane sidewalls, which means its extremely durable and will hold up for all those park sessions.

Similar to my riding on the Pleasure, its the most snowboardery feel I’ve ever had on a wakeboard. Its narrower profile means the Soul Mate carves through the water just like you would be throwing out big turns through the fresh pow.  This alone puts the biggest smile on my face.

The Soul Mate is the most fun I’ve had on a wakeboard in a long time and honestly rides like no other board I’ve ridden before.  If you have the chance to get on it… definitely give it a go, you’ll have a smile on your face in seconds.

 

Learn to Wakeboard UK 2020

On By lex270In Fitness, Uncategorized, WakeboardingLeave a comment

Over winter I tend to hunker down and give myself a rest from wake work, which is due to a few of reasons… one: its cold, dark, gloomy and the lakes around me close down, two: I need a rest/break from the season and focus on other things, and three: I have a family who are in school, and leaving them for a few months to go to the souther hemisphere to wakeboard would be frowned upon I feel?

As you know I’m a Wakeboard Coach and I run Wake Daze, which are wakeboard camps for women, usually combined with some lakeside yoga, and you’re fed and watered too.

So I digress, but this is the time of year when the cogs start turning and I plan my season ahead.  So here we are.. I’ve got some of the dates confirmed for Wake Daze 2020 and they are: 16th May, 20th June, 25th July & 5th September.  These will be held at the lil wake haven that is Xtreme Wake.

Interested?  Want to learn how to wakeboard?  Want to improve your riding?  Then read on…

Beginner: Beginners are welcome with open arms as its a great way to give the sport a go for the first time.  You’ll be on a straight line cable and so you are the only person wakeboarding at that time, so all the attention from the coach (yours truly) is on you, and also the speed can be tailored for your ability, which means we can start off super slow.

Intermediate: Been riding a couple of seasons? Got your own kit? Stuck on what to do next or a certain trick? Then sign up as there is loads for you to learn from your first wedge/kicker or rail hit, to kicker grabs and 180s, to pressing on rails and of course, we can’t forget about the good old basics of some surface tricks to get those board skills up.

Advanced: You’re ready for air tricks and bigger kicker spins or flips?  Or you want to try that air trick that is just a little too daunting to try on the 5-tower cable?  Then come on down and lets work on them together so you can progress with your wakeboarding career.

So, if you’ve been thinking about trying wakeboarding, or you want to improve your riding, come and join me this summer!  Get in touch here for more infomation or to book on.

See you on the water xx

How to wakeboard through the winter in England

On By lex270In Fitness, WakeboardingLeave a comment

 

Lets be honest, we’ve had the most epic summer that I can remember, and so far, winter has not really been that bad yet.  Can you believe that we’d had a foot of snow this time last year?

I know its colder now, but think of all the good things about the lakes this time of year…

You are with like minded people.  I know technically you you could say this is the case all year round because you are all there to wakeboard.  But for those of you who ride through the winter (and actually ride in England), you will know what I mean.  No bad vibes, no attitudes, no queues… its all good!  There is a different kind of breed down on the dock between the months of October through to April.  A friendly bunch of water folk that just want to ride because they love it.  And you will see the same faces over the winter months, and you will be surrounded by people who will strive to have just 20mins of freezing water time, to make their week. 

If you hadn’t guessed, I actually quite like riding this time of year.

So here are my top tips on how to get on the water this winter! 

  1. Stating the obvious but its not always available to everyone.  Go abroad.  Get on a plane and go ride somewhere hotter than here, preferably for the season and you’ll come back all tanned and smug because you’ve got a whole new bag of tricks.
  2. If you’re going to ride in the UK, get a decent wetsuit.  Invest.  It’ll be worth it.  Honest.  I’m in the new Mystic Diva 5.3mm and its toastie warm.
  3. If you’re rocking the open toe bindings, grab some neoprene socks. Otherwise get your hands on some Walk-In bindings because you’re basically walking around in a snug bootie – toastie tootsies! I’m in the Hyperlite Defactos
  4. I know the glove look isn’t the best.. but I wouldn’t be able to ride through the freezing days without my wetsuit gloves.  So I’m wearing the gloves.
  5.  If you’re landing new tricks in the winter in the UK – give yourself a huge pat on the back.  Otherwise, just maintain what you can already do, maybe add on some smaller tricks, so that you come into the next season ready to go.
  6. Keep active.  You cannot sit around doing nothing all winter and then expect to be able to shred your nuts off come April.  Keep those muscles active and work out in other ways, whether it be gym work, cycling, running, yoga… just keep moving.
  7. Take your mates.  Its much more fun riding with someone.
  8.  Invest in a flask and fill it to the brim with hot tea / coffee / hot choc… you’ll be grateful post ride.
  9. Leave time for a shower afterwards, or to sit in the hot tub– to warm up obvs.
  10. If theres no shower, take a sleeping bag and drive home wearing it.  Jokes.  Take thermals, sweats, mountain attire; anything to keep you warm until you get home.
  11. Have fun.  Be grateful you’re able to get out there and ride.  Good vibes only.