I. W. S. F. Worlds Doha Qatar

[fakiestore]

IMHO - The main reason that the sport is still not mainstream is the cost!

It's just not competitive when put up against other more accessible pastimes like skateboarding/bmx..

How many boat sets a week do you realistically need to put in to see some progression - 3 minimum? Looking at about £50 a week just there if you are lucky, plus the cost of annual membership, board, wetsuit, multiple boardies, helmet, vest... the list goes on and none of it is cheap. This cost isn't to get to comp standard remember - everyone has to pay out when they start!

The average family just can't afford to fund it, which means it's out of their reach to even try....

Even £50 a week on cable riding will only get you what - two 2hr sessions? Ok, so if you show some talent you may get lucky and get a few free rides now and again but we're talking about accessibility for all.....

How many kids have £50 a week disposable income to spend on riding ???

For wakeboarding to get mainstream the very first thing it needs is to get much cheaper.

Then all it's got to do is compete with sports like skateboarding - which although is cheap, can be done almost anywhere and with sponsorship is all over the place (Nike doing skate shoes?!?!?) the UK rider competition standings still pale into insignificance (albeit with 1 or 2 exceptions) when compared with the US..

Which erm - kind of ruins my whole argument. But it could still do with being a lot cheaper.

[Nick.C.]

Dave D ibeleive that it will come good for Nicola this year and being in the USA she is in the right place she is an exceptional rider and credit is due to Nickel for his commitment to get Nicola where she is.
3 sets a day is more like the amount that would be required to take on the Americans and the Australians

[sim]

Originally Posted by Nick.C.

i may even cover up the name of the board he rides who knows...

I've got some nice big alliance decals if you want them, that way you are not promoting a profit making business, but you are supporting the industry!!

and in regards to the cost, thats why wakeboarders are gay and everyone should wakeskate!!
build a winch - £600,
deck - £200
shoes - old pair or £40
T-shirt and jeans/shorts - old ones
Petrol (annual)- £30
rail materials - £130
a years riding for a grand, and you'll have more fun than you would at any skiclub or cable, and you can learn frontside tailblunts , do that on a fooking wakeboard! Mwahahahaha!!

[Nick.C.]

I am good with that Sim.

[faceplants]

Wasn't really planning on taking a long lunch break today - But that went out of the window when I started reading this thread!

Some really interesting points. Really good to get the opinions of Nick C and Nickel who are out there living it. Thanks guys.

[Nick.C.]

I am not out there. (sometimes i wish i was )but i am here in the U.K.
Nickel made the break to the U.S. because of the lack of future for riders in the UK. (correct me Chris if i am talking out of term) Freddie is a uk rider riding in nthe UK . mind you he has told me he is going to live in the states when he is 16. ... his mother cant wait!!
Nick C