Wakeboarding latest X sport making waves

By Catherine E. Toth
Advertiser Staff Writer

Wade Vaiciulis has seen it all.

Wakeboarders who have surfed, skateboarded or snowboarded typically have quick success when wakeboarding. Donna Garth of Colorado Springs had a hard time getting started recently at Koko Marina, but recovered to have a solid run. Cory Lum • The Honolulu Advertiser

This first step — standing on the board — is the hardest part about wakeboarding, the latest extreme ocean sport made mainstream-popular by the X-Games.

Once you get up, "it's as easy as hell," said Vaiciulis, captain and instructor at Hawai'i Water Sports Center in Hawai'i Kai. "Once you're up, you're OK."

Wakeboarding, along with snowboarding and skateboarding, were one of the fastest-growing sports in 2000, according to the American Sports Data's yearly survey. The number of people wakeboarding grew by 32 percent from the year before.

Reid Shimabukuro can vouch for the sport's surge in popularity locally. As owner of R&R Surf and Ski in Kane'ohe, he has noticed the growth in interest just on the Windward side.

"Every weekend now there's nothing but wakeboarders on the water," said the 33-year-old wakeboarder and surfer. "It used to be tubing and kneeboarding. Now 95 percent of people out there are wakeboarding."

Popularity catching on

Shimabukuro, who has been wakeboarding for nine years, said there are more than 1,000 people in Hawai'i who wakeboard. He organizes the only four wakeboarding competitions in the state; the events draw between 40 and 60 competitors.

He attributes the popularity of tow-in surfing to the recent interest in wakeboarding.

The attraction: High-flying aerial stunts combined with speed.

"And it provides an alternative for surfers and skaters," Shimabukuro added.

Wakeboarders use a board, much like a snowboard, to surf on waves created by a power boat. The wakeboards come equipped with bindings — the boots attached to the board — to keep your feet in place during the ride. Set in neutral positions, the bindings work for goofy-footers, too.

Acrobatic feats

The fast-action stunts are what lures the typical wakeboarder, most of whom have spent time on a snowboard, skateboard or surfboard.

The speed comes from being towed by a power boat, like in waterskiing. Going up to 25 miles per hour, wakeboarders are able to catch some serious air.

"It's always a challenge," Shimabukuro said. "Just because you master one trick, it's not the end of the road. The tricks are endless."

An offshoot of wakeboarding is wakeskating, the latest push-the-limits tow-boat watersport. Wakeskates are similar to traditional wakeboards but without the bindings. Riders wear skateboard shoes or go barefoot, maneuvering on the waves on a shorter board equipped with grip tape to provide traction and control.

But every wakeboard instructor will advise the adventurous: Get on a wakeboard first before trying anything else.

"Wakeskating is harder than wakeboarding," Shimabukuro said. "I'd definitely recommend wakeboarding first."

Equipment

First things first: Equipment.

Rental shops carry everything you'll need to start wakeboarding, from boards to bindings to life vests. Rates are pricey; it's $49 for a 20-minute lesson at Hawai'i Water Sports Center and $70 for an hour at R&R. You get quick instructions on the how-tos of wakeboarding before you jump into the boat and head into the marina.

Buying your own equipment may dent your bank account: Boards with bindings can cost into the thousands of dollars. And power boats can start at $30,000.

Lessons vary once you're in the ocean. Some beginners, especially those with snowboarding or surfing experience, may be good enough to learn how to ride switch (backwards) or master 180-degree spins. Most others, though, will only get as far as standing on the wakeboard.

But instructors will attest: Anyone can do this, regardless of size, strength or skill.

"It's not really a strength thing," said Vaiciulis, who added that his company takes out about 10-25 wakeboarders a day, about 85 percent of them Japanese tourists. "It's more technique ... Most people with some type of athletic ability can usually get it pretty quick."

And if you've ever surfed, snowboarded, skated or windsurfed, you'll have a better edge starting out.

After sliding your feet into the binding (with the help of soapy water), you wait on the platform at the back of the boat for the captain to get to a quiet, clear area. If you apply sunscreen before heading out — and you should — you'll need to wipe your hands clean; sunscreen will make your hands greasy and could make gripping the handle difficult.

Once you're in the water, waiting, grip the handle tightly. And be prepared to get a shoulder and arm workout. The boat will take off — its speed depending on your size and skill level — and pull you out of the water. Keep your arms straight and don't pull on the line.

"And if you fall, let go," Vaiciulis said. "You'll be surprised how many don't."

Master technique

Keep the handle low, near your hip or waist, and ride the waves, keeping your body weight on your back foot and steering with the other.

And don't stress the tricks.

One first-time wakeboarder, an avid snowboarder and surfer, pulled himself out of the water on his second try.

Feeling confident, borderline courageous perhaps, he tried to jump waves and grab air — but crashed instead.

"Just take it slow, take a few turns first," Vaiciulis called out over the roar of Ski Nautique engine. "Yeah, you're going for it. I can respect that."

After all, that's what wakeboarding is all about.