Wake Boarding
Tough assignment today - driving to Noosa!
And I'm getting there in style. Toyota Avalon has a big fuel tank, so I don't have to fill up very often. It also offers big seats and a quiet engine. In fact I might just keep on driving. Cairns here I come !
Well, the swells aren't crash hot - but I'm still keen to try a bit of boardriding.
And the surf doesn't have to be pumping for this kind of board riding. All I need is a boat, a board and Stuart !
These are my weapons of choice - wakeboards.
You need a bit of power to create a decent wake - any boat with 80 horsepower or more will do the trick. But we're opting for the designer model - the whizz bang, weighty, wash-making wakeboard special.
Now I've done a bit of skiing before, but binding your feet into one big board feels a bit strange.
I'm normally pretty cocky when doing things like this but not so cocky today, not sure how I'll go, fingers crossed.
I don't believe it - up first go. I think my skiing practice might have given me a headstart.
Following right behind the boat's a breeze - I even try some Seaworld-style ski manouevres…
The first crude wakeboards were made in 1985 & called Skurfers .
What's that Ben? - go over the wake! Well I suppose it ain't called wakeboarding for nothing.
OK, here I go - this time right over the wake. A bit wobbly, but I'm still standing! Not too sure about this bend in the river though…
Now we also have some backup entertainment on hand. Junior champion Ben Tolson, who makes my manouevres look like a bit of a washout…
Wide Awake Board Sports of Noosa helped me with all my wakeboarding gear plus plenty of free advice!
I used a fantastic Liquid Force Wakeboard which you can pick up for about $700 including boots. Check out the entire range at the Wide Awake store.
The boats we used had plenty of power thanks to 100hp Yamaha motors. Take a look at yamaha-motor.com.au for all your outboard needs.
We flew to the Sunshine Coast with Virgin Blue. They have some great deals, so go to virginblue.com.au or call 13 67 89.
I drove to
Noosa in style, in a Toyota Avalon V6. If you'd like to know
more about this luxurious touring car, see your Toyota dealer
or log onto the website.
