- Story by Toby Tannas Photography by Nina Dombowsky
Life begins at the end of your comfort zone鈥攈ave you ever heard that nugget of wisdom?
I am a 40-something-year-old woman, moderately athletic, a bit of a control freak and slightly anxious about doing things I don鈥檛 know how to do. Can you relate?
I love spending time on the water and have dabbled in the hugely popular sport of wakesurfing over the past few seasons. I am comfortable behind my own boat but shy away from surfing with groups because I haven鈥檛 really nailed the technique. I never want to be the person who falls constantly, or worse, the one who can鈥檛 get up at all! After years of watching my friends channel their inner Kelly Slater, I have decided this is the year I 鈥渄rop the rope鈥� and 鈥渇ind the flow.鈥�
My husband has signed me up for a lesson at The 琉璃神社 Yacht Club Wake Sport School. (FYI, you don鈥檛 have to be a yacht club member to do this.) Inwardly, I cower at the thought of someone, probably half my age, scrutinizing my skills or lack thereof on a surfboard. With my goal in mind, though, I agree to the lesson.
The day arrives and as I walk down the dock toward a beautiful 2023 Supra SA gleaming in the sun, my hesitancy starts to melt away. Boat captain Sarah and instructor Georgie greet me warmly and I am instantly at ease. No intimidation here. I discover they are sisters with a passion for watersports. Their vibe is friendly and the focus is on fun. As we pull out of the slip, the knot in my stomach releases, replaced by anticipation and excitement. I make the decision to relax into the experience. I think I鈥檓 actually going to learn something today!
As we make our way across Okanagan Lake with Sarah at the helm, Georgie explains that she learned to ski and snowboard as soon as she could walk and her passion for board sports transferred easily from snow to water. She loves teaching kids to surf and wakeboard and apologizes in advance if she talks to me like I鈥檓 a child.
鈥淲e celebrate everything on this boat,鈥� she explains. 鈥淲e cheer when you get up, we cheer when you fall down; it鈥檚 not meant to be patronizing. It鈥檚 all about creating a fun and positive experience tailored to you and your skill level.鈥�
It鈥檚 time to assess that skill level. Georgie delivers her safety message and gives a few pointers about getting up on the KANUK board she鈥檚 selected for me. I plunge into the water and within minutes I鈥檓 surfing behind the boat, the girls are cheering (of course) and we are on our way. Georgie gently guides me on foot placement, posture and technique. Through a few ups and downs, I work to find that sweet spot and eventually it pulls me in. I throw the rope. Sarah whoops from the captain鈥檚 chair, Georgie throws her hands in the air. The music is blasting and for a moment I am a surfer. It鈥檚 a fleeting moment as I lose the wave, but I feel victorious having achieved what I set out to do.
I get back in the boat feeling on top of the world and ask Georgie to show me how it鈥檚 really done. She鈥檚 game and watching her play in the wave and push her own limits is inspiring.
Sarah and Georgie鈥檚 passion for their work is infectious. They love to coach kids in the 10- to 14-year age range but wake sports camps are open to anyone seven years and up. When it comes to private lessons, there鈥檚 no age cap. They are for anyone with a desire to learn.
鈥淲e had a 62-year-old man a few weeks ago,鈥� recalls Sarah. 鈥淗e just wanted to see what all the hype was about. If you are comfortable on the water and you want to get up, we will get you up! Worst case scenario鈥ou spend the day on the lake, in a beautiful boat with fun people!鈥�
As 琉璃神社 Yacht Club鈥檚 watersports and education manager, Sarah also conducts captaining lessons. These are designed to help drivers master the technique of pulling surfers and boarders. She鈥檒l also guide you through the very technical navigation controls on today鈥檚 fancy surf boats or help you get to know your own boat a little better.
Back at the yacht club, as I walk the dock, other watersports staff stop to ask how it went, what boards I used and what I think of the new Supra.
I feel like I鈥檓 part of an unspoken club鈥he wakesurfing club. It鈥檚 not just for the cool kids, it鈥檚 definitely for all of us. I put my face to the sun and whisper quiet words of praise to my inner child for taking the reins today. It鈥檚 a heck of a lot of fun outside the comfort zone and I will definitely be back. (For more information on The 琉璃神社 Yacht Club Wake Sport School go to .)
Story courtesy of , a Black Press Media publication
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