Get the Kids out on the water.

GlassSeeker wrote: Put her in the swing on a raised boom and get her footing right away

She was begging me to teach her how to barefoot the other day, I suppose I should look into getting one of those swingy things.

Nice shots Halfnely.

BKH

Thank you Brian, appreciate it.

This young man has now had some one on one training with David Small who clinics at some California lakes. We did get him prepped with a swing

Thanks. I suppose the first thing we'll have to invest in is a wetsuit, she's still in the 30-50lb vest with the crotch strap, not exactly preferable for 'footing.

Alright, it's my turn to dig up this old thread and put my kids on. I spent 10 years racing motorcycles on F1 tracks all over Texas, Alabama, LA, Oklahoma, and probably a couple other states that I can't remember. I enjoyed it and I was pretty good at it but two years ago it dawned on me that my two girls were getting older and they could care less about motorcycles and I'm kind of ok with that considering the cost and danger involved. I have always loved being on the water and when I was in college we were at the lake every day wakeboarding behind a ski nautique 2001 which is probably why it took me 5 years to get my 4 year degree. Last year, my wife and I decided to get rid of all of the racing bikes and get a boat. I knew from the beginning that I either wanted a correct craft or a master craft and we ended up with our sport nautique. It was the best decision we could've made. We already have an rv and love to camp and the boat made it even better! I just wish we would've done it 5 or 6 years sooner.

Here is me and my oldest surfing. She is my more apprehensive child so the best I could do was get her to try surfing and knee boarding. This year I'm shopping for her a wake board. She's 7 and loves being on the water.




My youngest is 3. She is my dare devil so I think she's going to be all about some water sports. She loves being in the boat and loves to tube but this year she's going to get up on the knee board for sure and maybe the surf board. We'll see. I know a lot of people on here hate surfing and it's not my favorite either as It doesn't take much talent but it does help get the kids comfortable at standing up on the water.

skutsch wrote: Don't be afraid to get them on water-ski's too!

I'm definitely not afraid but, as bad as I hate to admit it, even after years and years of wake boarding and kneeboarding before that, I have never skied, so I wouldn't even know where to begin on teaching them how to. I would like to try it and we have some friends coming up to camp with us on memorial day weekend and he's a big skier so who knows, maybe that will all change.

skutsch wrote: Keep it up with those kids. my three daughters all started at about the 4 or 5 year old mark. They all love it and are now in their teens. Started on ski's, wake board and they all even did a little barefooting. My oldest ski's on the Marquette University water ski team - "I'm a college athlete" she likes to proclaim! !

Skutch, congratulations on your daughter skiing in college! Similar experience with me. All three of my kids learned to slalom at a very early age and we spent a ton of time on the water. As they got older, less skiing and more "other things". My oldest daughter is a freshman at Clemson, and we had talked about her skiing there. I let her figure out what she wanted to do as I didn't think it was my place to guide her activities. Well, last week she called me and said that she met a boy that was on the wakeboard team and she was going to go to a meeting about the ski team. Saturday, I get a call saying she is coming home to get her ski and a wetsuit. I just smiled and said I love you have fun.

RainDog wrote: skutsch wrote: My oldest ski's on the Marquette University water ski team - "I'm a college athlete" she likes to proclaim! I was unaware Marquette had a water ski team. Is their course on Lake Michigan? My new lake house (storage unit for the Classic with private launch into Milwaukee River) is adjacent to MU's girls crew team's locker.

You know that is the hardest thing to get out of my daughter, apparently they do not have a permanent home. They have a portable slalom course and rely on Alumni for boats. They usually end up on Little Muskego, as their is a jump there that they have permission to practice on.

So, I had the Sport on the Milwaukee river last year, wasn't sure how far north I could go, so we turned around at the Milwaukee Lakefront Brewery - Since I have seen the MU crew team practicing by the H-D Museum, I assume you are on that section and it is navigable? Must be a good ways north of the Lakefront Brewery???

Yeah, I knew you could get to the old Horny Goat, there are some other cool places a few blocks walk from there. Also have visited the Twisted Fisherman AND if you hang a LEFT at the H-D Museum and follow that back a ways, there is a really cool looking barge all set up for what must be some CRAZY "pirate" parties - lots of flamming torches and fire pots - looks like it could almost get a little on the "wierd" side.

They take that "flat idle" thing VERY seriously, found out the hard way - you should also know that even though you are on the river flares ARE required (yes on the river, even the joint task force thought it was dumb - "What are you going to do - fire it off into an apartment building - oh that will help a lot if your in distress." Luckily, I was calm, cool, friendly and was properly equipped (my flares were all expired, but I had a signalling mirror - so that counted) and I got off with a warning. Funny thing was when they wanted my trunk open to see the motor, I opened it up, they were all shocked, "where the motor?"

Everytime we tried to venture into the harbor coming from the river it's always been to rough. And anytime we have come up the lakeshore to Milwaukee from Racine, we always stopped at Southshore Yacht club (we have only ever done that twice, both times with the Reilly's.

Have to check out that northern part of the river, sounds like some good spots!

My launch is right next to the Pirate barge. I'm certain to meet that guy this summer. Not sure if it will be a good or bad thing...

The launch is private for those who are renting a storage unit. There are two secured gates between Canal St and the launch. It is a nice perk for those who rent a unit there.

OK guys,

#1: I would love to know more about boating in Milwaukee. Always thought that would be so fun.

#2: Steve- when did your daugter join the team? Was she at Bennetts with us last spring break? Those Marquette kids know how to have a good time, that's for damn sure!

skutsch wrote:    I would love for her to spend some time with you to get some course and trick tips. Would you be game?

Of course!

Steve I'd like to check out the area you're keeping your boat. I'm looking for summer storage options in Milwaukee. You should also give me a call when you're crazing the river. We can hoist a few beers.

In