It’s Watersports Month!
Welcome to May! Life is about to get great. The trees are filling out, the grass is green, and the lake water is just warm enough to take a plunge.
Now is the time for some serious shopping. There are a couple of clear advantages to buying now.
- The selection is good. Most watersports manufacturers and retailers have a limited supply heading into the season. Once they are gone, they are gone. You don’t want to be the guy sitting on the sidelines while your neighbors have the newest lake toys.
- The quicker you get it, the more time you get out of it. There is nothing worse than getting a great towable at the end of the summer then using it for two weeks and storing it for the winter. Let’s be honest, most of us spend more time on the water in the first half of the summer than in the last. Get it, use it.
- If you are buying a skill-based product like a wakeboard or a water ski, you want all the time possible to learn more tricks. By the time your neighbor gets his, you will have mastered the skills. It always feels good to look good!
Here are a few products - from basic to awesome.
Basics- Here are a few watersports items you need on every pontoon.
- A giant floating mat is Pontoon 101. Yes, they are a little bulky, but once they get in the water, the party starts. Kids can run and wrestle on them. Adults can treat them like a swim up bar. It’s a must have!
- Water skis are the foundation for all towed watersports. Get a decent set of combo skis and let everyone take a turn. If you have a pontoon with a 60hp or greater motor, you should be fine to pull most riders.
- An inflatable towable (tube) is probably the most important of this group. They come in all shapes and sizes and are designed to accommodate 1 – 4 riders depending on the size. I am a fan of the HO Fury. It is a very basic, single rider tube that is fun to ride, it’s inexpensive and stores easily. Start here and work your way into a wilder tube down the road.
Next Level – These super fun toys are great for those who have dominated the basics and want to push a little harder.
- Many people think you need a wakeboard boat to pull a wakeboard. That is not true. I have pulled a wakeboard behind jon boats, bass boats, pontoons and just about anything else that has a prop. Granted, a pontoon does not have a huge wake to jump, but you can still have a great time carving back and forth while developing your skills. The Liquid Force Trip is a classic board and is great for beginners and beyond.
- Wake foils emerged on the watersport’s scene about 5 years ago. The board is shaped like a small surfboard and features a mast with two uniquely shaped fins. The shape of the fins allows the board to elevate above the water. It is super cool! The best part is that you do not need a huge motor or much speed to pull the rider on the foil. I have ridden behind pontoon boats with 25 horsepower motors and have had a blast! If you are thinking about buying a board, I recommend the Liquid Force Launch Package. It is a great package for the entry-level rider.
- Wake Surfing is another great option. It tends to be lower impact on you body and most people can pick it up with a little practice. Unfortunately, to really enjoy the experience, you really need an inboard boat that has a massive wake. The massive wake allows a rider to let go of the ski rope and actually surf the boat wake. It’s tons of fun. If you don’t have a wake specific towboat, convince your brother to buy one and tell him you will cover the gas. (If this works, I want to meet your brother!)
- Lastly, if you want to be the coolest cat on the lake, bust open your wallet and buy an electric foil surfboard. They are pricey but provide an unparalleled water adventure. You can experience the thrill of riding above the water on this self-contained vessel. (Get your brother-in-law to buy this one)
Now that you have the info, make your purchases, and hit the water. It will be fall before you know it!