DCWake.com

For those of you who don’t know me it is probably best that I give you a little info about myself so that you can understand from where my points of view originate.  I say this because MY opinions will be sprinkled throughout and I’m sure there will be plenty of other perspectives from which this series could be approached.  As well, for those of you who disagree with my assessments, this may help you understand why.

Profile
Age: 36

Wakeboard Experience: 2 yrs due to injuries and family additions Born: Maryland, wealthy parents, private education Graduated: High School and 2 University degrees
Athletic resume:  College Lacrosse player/recreational watersports
Status: Married with 2 daughters
Profession: Investment Management
Finances: Reasonable mortgage, getting by, expensive tastes
Hardcore resume: Partied hard in HS & college/ two different nights in jail

With that out of the way, I’ll spend a little time highlighting my experiences with wakeboard instructors that have shaped my outlook on this essential service to the sport.  I lived in England for most of the 90’s and first saw the sport in about 1998.  In the summer of 1999, I met Craig O’Meara and Trigger (Christian Thom) who taught me how to get up.  They coached me for a while and through them I was to gain an insight into what being a hardcore wakeboarder is.  These kids lived to ride and to do this they traveled the globe chasing the summer which took them from England to Australia and back in a sort of endless summer kind of way.  To their peers, they were often referred to as soul riders i.e. not into the competitions or things corporate (kind of like Byerly).  This attitude, as I saw it, was only to their detriment because unfortunately this meant nobody knew that these guys were two of the world’s greatest riders at that time. To them, wakeboarding was a lifestyle.  Money and things material seemed to be of little concern to them.  Living in tents, coaching for rides or a little spending money was how their life appeared to me and of course I will never have the ability to understand it.  Nevertheless, I respected them and secretly envied their decisions while also wondering what would become of them in 20 or 30 years.  Theirs was a mindset which is exclusive to people brought up like me, but circumstances would bring these complete opposites together into a business transaction where I would be giving them my money in return for their services.

Wakeboarding, to me, is a recreation and I approach this recreation seriously.  Like golfers who spend in the thousands for swing training, I’m not averse to spending my money to improve technique.  When seeking instruction, I’m always trying to find a happy balance between the best riders/coaches, competence and value for my money, and an atmosphere that makes me feel like I do on a Sunday afternoon on the river.  Unfortunately, testimonials on camp websites and overly enthusiastic riders still stoked on a weeks’ riding at a camp don’t provide objective reviews for guys like me who probably expect too much.  But these demands don’t make me wrong either.  What follows are my observations to date in my quest to find a coach/camp that makes me happy.

 << Important Note to Parents: Before sending your children to these camps, please request insurance information from these camps and also check the backgrounds of the camp directors and coaches.  I wanted to avoid legal trouble by not discussing these subjects. >>

The Wakeboard Camp (TWC)
Probably the longest tenured and most respected of all the camps, I remember hearing of the Wakeboard Camp all the way back in 1999.  Located in Clermont, which is about a 40 minute drive from the airport in Orlando, I would say the camp is a little bit out of the way.  If you are planning to visit this camp and have visions of having a great time after hours, then Clermont is not the place for you (unless you love your local strip mall).  This camp is definitely not the place for a family trip if the kids have been told Disney will be included in the itinerary.  That said, it is a great place to send the kids if you want them to stay out of trouble. Of the camps in this review, TWC has the most experience and best facilities to cater to unchaperoned trips, and have successfully managed such trips for years.  If you do not have a car, you are basically screwed at this camp.

What to expect
If you have a copy of The Book DVD series, then you know what you are in for here.  This camp is all about teaching fundamentals and I would recommend seeing the DVD’s prior to your visit.  The first morning you will get a basic physics lesson (covered as well in disc1) and a session in the morning just going over basic edging.  Even if you are accomplished, you will be brought back to the basics during the morning session.  Then you progress from there according to your skill level.  The camp has a clear coaching philosophy that is consistent among the coaches.  However, there are a lot of coaches here ranging from professional level to the previously described soul rider type.  You will most likely get more time with the soul riders/junior coaches.

Coaching (4 out of 5)

The coaching is top of the heap if you get Kyle, but he is increasingly less available as are Ben and Aaron.  I attended the camp for one day and a set the following morning and had three coaches cover three different sets.  I couldn’t help but think that it was disruptive toward consistent progression, but I left with a few basic but essential tools that were huge in helping me improve my skills.  Without question, the 3 sets there accomplished more than a year’s worth of casual riding had.  The first set was spent deconstructing bad habits and the second (with a guy named Chad) had a huge impact in terms of how to properly set an edge for W2W jumps.  This was probably the most useful piece of information that I left with as subsequent coaches have commented that I’m setting up perfectly now on both the heel and toeside.  

TWC claims it is the only camp that pays its coaches a salary, which implies that they would feel more responsible or have more at stake when coaching.  Certainly a plausible claim, but I’m not sure how true it is having experienced both scenarios (paid and unpaid coaching).  What is important is that the coach be a good communicator and have a keen eye for technique.  Ideally, the camp/school has a set of tools on which they all agree to ensure the message is consistent.  The TWC might just be the furthest along in terms of teaching a specific style.  I think the coaching here will remain top notch so long as Kyle and PJ stay focused on the message. I give them minus 1 point for advertising coaches who are no longer full time and having a few “soul riders” as backup coaches.

Facilities (3 out of 5)

If you are planning to stay here for a week, think Abu Ghahib.  Actually, think dimly lit, moist, cement barracks.  I doubt I could fall asleep in such conditions but who cares?  We are talking wakeboarding right?  The fact they they would charge for this is beyond me.  If you must go to this camp, they have nicer accommodations across the street for a premium or choose the Holiday Inn up the street.  They have a huge clubroom with all types of videos, a computer with internet, fooseball/pooltable and a pro shop with gear for sale.  Trampolines and rails are also part of the setup.  Meals were good from what I saw. Minus 2 points for accommodations.

Lake (5 out of 5)

The lake is very important to ensuring the quality of conditions when you book your week of riding.  If it is not protected, your progression and pleasure could be limited.  I went to TWC just as a Hurricane was hovering off the east coast of Fla back in October.  It was windy both days and rainy the second day.  However, the lake had enough protection for long straight runs on very smooth water.  We are talking LONG i.e. at least 10 casual W2W before needing to turn around.  I think this is very important.  Actually of the three camps reviewed here, this lake was the largest and best protected.  There was no other boat traffic on either day. 

Boat and equipment  (5 out of 5)

To me, one key to the camp is the boat and this camp is sponsored by Malibu, who provide them with a new boat every 300 hours.  We rode behind a Wakesetter VLX with the illusion tower and loaded ballast.  This boat is simply as solid as it gets with a great wake that was adjustable as well.  They had everything Hyperlite offers in their proshop for demoing so there is no need to bring a thing if need be.  Simply put, outstanding equipment. 

Value  (3 out of 5)

You pay a premium for such top-level names coaching; however, they might not be there when you want to go.  I believe I paid $65 a set.  Cash or check only.  Plus it is a long way out of Orlando; you need a car if you want to enjoy anything Orlando offers while in Florida.  I think it is expensive considering its location and the other expenses incurred to make your stay pleasant and entertaining.  Minus one for prices & misleading me about the coaches and one for the town of Clermont.

Some might argue that a beginner like myself doesn’t need the top names coaching me and I agree, just don’t charge me for it if he isn’t in the boat.  Regardless, this camp fixed major flaws, which has paid dividends in the long run.  I am deeply indebted to Chad for two things he said to me that have changed the way I ride for the better.

The Wakeboard Camp Website


Orlando Wakeboard Academy (OWA)
This camp has gone from from simply operating out of a dock/shed at a Centurion dealership back in May of 2005, to leasing the whole property which includes two houses, dock and boathouse, trampoline and hottub all at an enviable and secluded waterfront property in the heart of Orlando.  Congratulations go out to these guys, but it really doesn't surprise me at all.  The camp is owned and operated by two of the brighter minds and personalities in the sport.  At the time of this writing, other professional wakeboarders were renting space in one of the houses, building rails in the lake and serious riders seemingly loiter about the property.  Having returned for a second visit in January 2007, I was surprised at how much the place seemed to be "on the map".

Located just off the I4 in Winter Park, this camp is as central and convenient for Orlando visitors as it gets.  If you are planning to ride during a visit to the Orlando attractions or you are on a conference, then this is the place for you.  The OWA was set up to cater to all levels of riders with an eye toward providing a service tailored to the volume of tourists that Orlando attracts.  Families looking for a day of fun would be best served by the flexibility offered by these guys.  Riders looking to progress have the advantage of having two quality riders and seasoned coaches in the boat at the same time.  I really like the feel of what these guys are trying to do and I know their approach will work because I fit both profiles and was impressed.

What to expect (updated January 2007)
This camp comes the closest to recreating the relaxed atmosphere of an afternoon on the lake/river (I felt like these guys actually wanted to hang out with me, a feeling I’ve never had with other coaches). The OWA operates out of a 3 bedroom house on Lake Fairview in Winter Park.  Sean O’Brien and Derek Seaman were quick to respond to emails and especially helpful in allowing me to demo 06/07 gear from Performance Ski & Surf.  Their website is probably the best out there in terms of useful information about the coaches, availability, prices and flexibility.  In short they did a great job getting ready for my arrival, met me on the dock on time and we were off.  Sean might be the more accomplished rider but even he deferred to Derek’s eye for coaching.  Both had coached for years at Ski World Orlando and have a rare ability to communicate with a rider without any sense of pretense.  In short, this camp has the most welcoming feeling of all the places I’ve visited thus far.

Coaching (4 out of 5)

You have nothing to worry about here as you are going to get Derek and Sean.  Both are college graduates (which is rare, trust me) and are very outgoing and friendly.  They also are outstanding riders Derek excelling on the skate and Sean being an accomplished pro rider (check out his videos on the site).  While there was no chalkboard talk before getting started as an indication of a core coaching philosophy, both coaches were consistent in their message to me.  Although I had not been on the water for a few months, they were lucky because they picked up a camper where I left off from the TWC.  Sean and Derek simply helped me reconstruct what the TWC started back in October with a message equally as good and consistent with my coaches there.  If anything, I felt they were better communicators than any other coach I had previously had with the exception of Kyle (TWC) who they were at least as good as.  Minus 1 for not establishing a core philosophy before starting me on the water.  I still think the Wakeboard Camp continues to be the benchmark in terms of a clear and consistent coaching philosophy.

Facilities (5 out of 5)

Well, on January 1, 2007, Sean and Derek took over the old Centurion dealship, cleaned it up a bit, updated the furnishings and suddenly find themselves offering a clean, well appointed 3 bedroom house for their campers to stay in.  Trampoline, hot tub, nice furnture, dvd's, video games complete the package.  This place ranks right up there with the best of the other camps in terms of the quality of your surroundings.  I couldn't find fault with anything about their current set up - maybe they could cut the grass a little shorter.

Lake (4 out of 5)

The lake was sizeable enough to find rideable conditions despite the strong January winds.  It was choppy in spots, which interrupted long straight runs but was not a run that felt too short.  Actually, Lake Fairview is one of the largest lakes in Central Orlando so there is nothing to complain about here.  I went on a Sunday and it did get busy around noon as they warned me.  Traffic was increased by the public ramp which was being used by a dealer trying to sell boats.  During the week, I’m sure there is no traffic until the evenings.  Nevertheless, it did get choppy quickly once a few boats got out there and made riding impossible.  Minus 1 for weekend traffic.  Plus 1 for weekdays.

Boat and Equipment (5 out of 5)

Sean is sponsored by Centurion boats and Obrien Wakeboards, among others.  Not surprisingly, they are running Centurion boats at the camp.  The lone exception being Derek's pontoon boat which serves the wakeskaters and evening cruise fans among you.  The new for 2007 proshop contains the full range of Obrien wakeboards in most sizes and Obrien's bindings as well.  As a matterof fact, their proshop was laid out quite nicely and makes their front office very welcoming for wakeboarders.  On the boat dock, they have a complete range of Execute full and spring suits as well as life vests to fit everyone's needs.  The day I went out in January, there was considerable wind chill making gloves a desperate consideration even for the most "legit" boarder.  They even had those available if I was willing to humiliate myself.  Not to mention neoprene socks for wakeskaters!  

Value (5 out of 5)

Hands down, best value for your money.  Prices at this camp give you the freedom to make arrangements to your own satisfaction without feeling fleeced.  They offer very long sets and the cost per session immediately ratchets down according to the number of sets you commit to, which is also a unique feature to the camp (at other camps the savings kick in over a few days or a week) . . . a day’s riding is about $70 less than other camps.  Camp pricing is geared to not punish those who are looking to fit their rides into a family or business schedule.  Seasoned coaches who are college grads (read good communicators) and are the most friendly I’ve ever met.  I would trust my youngsters with these guys too.  Cash, Check and credit card accepted.

Orlando Wakeboard Academy Website


O’Town Watersports

This camp claims to be the school that coaches Dallas Friday and Rusty Malinoski.  I have no reason to doubt it.  This place felt like a melting pot of sorts for Orlando’s dedicated riding youth.  People dropped in and out between classes, had specific coaches they wanted to ride with, had coaches that went out and rode between sets, a clubhouse with videos on when no one was watching, Blackalicious’ new album on the stereo . . . all this while I was the only customer booked for the day and it was cold, windy and the rain was coming in sideways sometimes.

This camp has been around for a while and has a real wakeboarder vibe about it.  You know kind of casual, kind of aloof, very cool, riders and coaches cruising around like cats, tons of opinions about other riders, coaches & gear.  I love places like this because if you listen closely you can learn a lot about what is really going on rather than what the magazines say.  Unfortunately, such an atmosphere also makes me feel like an outsider and slightly unwelcome or out of step.  I can’t hold Glen or the coaches accountable for this, it is inevitable that this will creep into such a happening place filled with young single people.  TWC has a bit of this going on as well.  Being 35, employed and married, I might sound bitter about this . . . and maybe I am but again I’m trying to give Joe public’s view on this.

What to expect
Centrally located on Lake Barton’s boat sales strip and at the end of Orlando’s Business Airport’s runways, O’Town Watersports clubhouse isn’t hard to miss.  It’s the white building with the huge blue O painted on the front on the airport end of the lake.  Glen Fletcher is a Kiwi who has been in the US for 10 years, married to an American and has a little baby girl crawling around the clubhouse (8 months old in January 06).  He’s got bills to pay and if you want to ride with him it is gonna cost you.  He coaches by appointment only.  Glen is clearly knowledgable and focused on making this work and his wife is extremely friendly and competent.  Parents shouldn’t worry about sending kids here either.  I just wonder how things work out during down time in a place that probably gets very busy during the year.

They are already very booked up in March and appear to be run like a good business.  They were inflating some sick looking tubes in advance of the tourist rush indicating a flexibility that otherwise didn’t appear in my first impressions.

Coaching (5 out of 5)

Glen sort of screened me out over the phone and again on the day I arrived.  He clearly knew what he was looking for in my answers, and indicated that he had a few coaching techniques for what I was hoping to achieve.  My coach (Brad Buskas from Canada) was on hand listening.  There was no chalkboard talk just straight into the riding, which was appropriate for me anyway.  

The coaching felt very personal as the website indicates and quite frankly I was very pleased with Brad.  He asked me to go out and ride a couple passes just showing my comfort levels on the board and then we got straight into it.  What I liked about Brad’s style of coaching was that he took the bull by the horn and told me what he wanted me to do.  At the same time, he didn’t overload me with information to confuse me.  I had marked improvement on the TS W2W under Brad’s guidance and left knowing exactly where to pick up when I get on the water again.  He also explained very clearly what I was doing wrong after each failed attempt which meant he talked alot.  I mention this because one of the best things I got out of the day was an understanding of exactly what I did wrong when I would fall in specific ways (and I got a different nuance wrong every time).  It is too bad I couldn’t ride another day with Brad because I think the TS W2W was about to be dialed.  Just writing about it makes me want to get on the water.

What was really great, was that he asked me to try things he knew I was ready for that I simply had never tried.  In no time I was landing new tricks on the HS that I had never pushed myself to try.  I was also crashing on tricks I should get in no time.  I was fortunate to try them because Brad has got me set up to figure them out now.  I already owe a lot to this guy and by the end of the summer I’m sure it will be much more.  I cannot bring myself to find fault with the experience I had there because I exceeded my goals.  Also I was the only one there, so I got undivided attention.

Facilities (4 out of 5)

I have no bones to pick here.  They have well appointed rooms for overnighters, changing rooms (no shower downstairs), spacious clubhouse with TV, videos, stereo, trampoline out back and tons of the latest Hyperlite gear available for riding.  In general, the property was very clean and well looked after.  I can only give it a minus 1 for not having food available and a shower downstairs.  However, I bet you can use one upstairs if need be and there are a million restaurants within a minute’s drive.

Lake (3 out of 5)

Smallest lake I rode on, maybe three wake tricks per straight run, I felt less stressed going for two per run.  It was windy that day and it had pretty smooth water to be found despite its size.  They have sliders on their end of the lake.  I also wonder with so many dealers on the lake if traffic might be a problem at times during the week.  One other boat on the lake would make for problems. 

Boat and Equipment (5 out of 5)

Three words . . . Super Air Nautique.  The 210 was loaded with 3000lbs of ballast and was a low rider but what a friggin wake.  Best of the lot.  I think this is the one boat where the wake can make an average rider perform better.  You have no choice but to go up high with this set up so be prepared.  I had never tried grabs before riding this boat and was getting them first time like I had been doing them for years.  Seriously, Brad was very complimentary on my grabs.  They also had a huge storeroom filled with every piece of Hyperlite equipment you could want and two of every board they make in most every size.  If you like Hyperlite, you are gonna love this place.

Value (4 out of 5)

This place was expensive $65 a set and got more so if you wanted private lessons with Glen.  2 sets here will cost you what a full day will just up the road at OWA.  There were no price breaks for riding more often and I was lucky there was no tape in the video camera because I might have had to pay a bit more (joke).  All that being said, O’Town is the place where I first landed some new tricks thanks to a personal and more aggressive coaching style.  I did not leave here thinking I didn’t get what I paid for.  Minus 1 for flexibility on prices and being less flexible due to a very busy coaching schedule . . . but how can you really hold that against them.  They are convenient to everything in downtown Orlando.  Families might find this place a little bit less user friendly than the serious boarders who they really cater to, but you are welcome to do whatever you want on their lake.  If you are gonna tube here, you will feel like a dork unless they are launching you of kickers and rails . . .  that might get you some respect.

O'Town Watersports Website

In the next part of this series, I will review the OWC, The Projects and one other camp yet to be decided.  Look for it by the end of March.

Out!