One of the highlights of our Great Illinois Roadtrip was learning to wakeboard at West Rock Wake Park in Rockford, Illinois. Believe it or not, this highlight almost didn’t happen.
Scheduled for day 16 of our trip, Ben was getting tired. He’s not used to the travel writer’s pace. I offered to call our host and cut the trip short, but Ben’s a finisher. He said he’d push through and added, “Besides, we drove 1500 miles to get here. It’s not like we’ll be back anytime soon.” I love his rational mind, especially when it works in my favor!
So, we prepared with camera, sunscreen, swimsuits and sunglasses. We arrived 15 minutes before our scheduled wakeboard lesson, giving us time to change clothes and sign the ever-necessary consent and release forms.
Dan, the visionary and owner of the park, fitted us with life jackets and helmets before giving us our pre-boarding lesson. His best tip: don’t overthink it! He told Ben that moms usually do better than teens first time out, because teens think they know what to do. HAHA! Dan had no idea that this mama comes with the baggage of a law degree — my brain doesn’t know how NOT to think.
We headed to the lake to see how well we listened. Because West Rock Wake Park is a cable wakeboard park, there’s no boat required. Instead, it uses a power cable system to control the speed and power each wake boarder uses. No wake. No boat. No gas. It’s affordable and environmentally friendly.
For this old lady, Dan used minimum power, think slow motion. I’m perfectly okay with that, because I got up! He used more power with Ben so he could turn and “swoosh.” It’s that easy.
My wakeboard experience
- Ben’s a natural
- And he wipes out big!
Ben went first. A natural with skate boards and snow boards, I was not at all surprised how easily he took to the sport. I watched with motherly pride as he got to his feet and immediately figured out how to adjust. Then inwardly, I cringed, wondering if I would embarrass myself — or be the first person to die by face plant into the lake.
My first try, I didn’t get up. The second and third attempts didn’t go much better. My fourth attempt, I did the unthinkable and face planted. My nose filled with water. Facedown, I struggled to turn over. It’s harder than you think, people. Don’t judge! Dan patiently coached me to grab hold of the cable and use it to leverage myself over. He pulled me in slowly.
Yes, I overthought it. Drat!
He patiently explained what I did wrong (pulling against the cable line rather than letting it pull me up). Then I tried again. AND I got up. I stayed on my feet the whole run! YAY! Senior Olympics, here I come.
Okay, maybe not.
But it was awesome!
More cool stuff about West Rock
Photo provided by Rockford CVB and used with permission.
During our session, I learned a couple more cool things about Dan and the West Rock Wakeboard Program. Before opening West Rock, Dan came to my neck of the woods — little old Johnston County, North Carolina — to learn about the cable wake boarding program at our own Hexagon Wake Park. I love a local connection when I’m halfway across the country.
Even more cool, West Rock participates in the Rockford Park District “Help Me Play” program. The fund was created to give kids who cannot afford fees to participate in zip lining, snow boarding, golfing, paid admission parks, horse back riding and wake boarding. Isn’t that awesome? The water park, still getting established, is already giving back by participating in a program to reach low income residents. Even better, when Dan told me about it, he simply glowed with excitement to have the opportunity to bring wake boarding to everyone.
Plan your visit
Photo provided by Rockford CVB. Used with permission.
With only 30 wake parks in the United States, most in Texas and Florida, this park offers a unique opportunity in the Midwest. Schedule your wakeboard experience online at West Rock Wake Park.
Rates
Dan strongly recommends that first timers schedule a 2-hour session. Each boarder shares that time slot with up to three other boarders, all who alternate sessions on the water. I took only one turn (giving Ben my next one) and was worn out after 15 minutes on the water. Ben spent about 40 minutes of the two hours on the water, and he was really sore the next day!
A two-hour session is only $30. For beginners, it includes all equipment (wake board, life jacket and helmet).
Advanced boarders pay an additional $10 rental for slider boards.
Tips for Visiting
- All boarders should arrive at least 15 minutes before their session to complete the waiver forms. Save time and finish it online before you go.
- We recommend that you wear a t-shirt over your swimsuit. Ben says board shorts are better than a swimsuit for guys.
- Remember your sunscreen!
- And… if you face plant like I did, just breathe out when you fall in. It helps.
Other information
ADDRESS: Historic Levings Lake 1420 S Pierpont Ave Rockford, Illinois 61102
HOURS
June – August: M-SAT 12-7/8p, SUN 1-7/8P
May, September, and October, check Facebook, Instagram, & Twitter to stay up to date on low season hours.
When you go, tell Dan I sent you, and say hi from Ben and me.
**Special thanks to Dan and the Rockford Area CVB for arranging this visit. While we boarded free for purposes of this article, all opinions are my own.**
Kevin Jones says
So amazing destination. See you there!
Mark DeVelde says
great article! Always refreshing hearing first time stories. thanks for the link btw \,,,_
Rebecca Swenor says
I have to admit I never thought to do this sport but it does sound like something I might try. My sons would be probably great at it considering they ski, snowboard, and skateboard. We will have to check this out one day when I feel brave. Great job on getting up. 😀
Karen Dawkins says
When my boys hit their teens, my competitive side came out! I had to start trying things that used to scare me, like roller coasters, body surfing at the beach and well…. wake boarding! I’m so very glad I stopped letting fear keep me from fun. 🙂
I hope you’ll give it a try!
Holly @ Woman Tribune says
Good for you for learning to wakeboard — and staying on your feet the whole run. That is awesome, and a lot better than I’m sure I could do!
Karen Dawkins says
My daughter is 11 and couldn’t quite get it when we tried it closer to home. She kept forgetting to straighten her knees once upright and then fell forward. It’s definitely a sport where overthinking is detrimental.
Debbie Denny says
Wow. Good for you. Looks lke fun
Karen Dawkins says
Thanks. It is a lot easier than I thought. I’m not ready for the stunt moves yet.
Uplifting Families says
This sounds super fun. I know thst I couldn’t personally do it. That is neat that Dan is giving back and helping others.
We saw them wake boarding at Sea World and they made it look super easy. They also did those fun jumps too.
Karen Dawkins says
It is really fun. Before I turned 40 I never would have tried this. Now, I love every new adventurous opportunity I get!
Rebel Sweetheart says
Awesome! Wakeboarding has become pretty popular here in the Philippines, though I have not tried it myself. Looks fun! 🙂
Karen Dawkins says
Try it!!! Wake boarding is more popular in other parts of the world than here in the US, so far. I think that’s changing as the word gets out here and parks pop up.
Dominique Goh says
Super cool you got to wakeboard. I have yet to try that.. It looks really fun.
Karen Dawkins says
Dominique, you and your husband should go! GREAT unique date activity!
Erin S says
wake boarding is so fun although intend to barely hang on and just drag along on it
Jessica Harlow says
I love that you had the gumption to try wakeboarding! I’m over 40 and would definitely still give it a try. It might not be pretty to watch, but I’d be proud to say I did it! lol
Karen Dawkins says
I’ll be 50 in March! I’ve done more the last 10 years than the first 40 combined. Wake boarding is definitely an adrenaline sport, but there’s plenty of fun for beginners too!
Liz Mays says
It’s so cool that you tried this out! I would probably faceplant a few times too.
Karen Dawkins says
The nice thing is I was so close to the water, it didn’t hurt. Falling off a skateboard — well, that would have been a different story.
Elizabeth O. says
I always wanted to try wake boarding but I don’t think I can. I’m a bit scared. Haha. It seems fun though, I’m starting to rethink my choices.
Karen Dawkins says
I didn’t start trying things until I was 40. I’ve had a lot more fun, too. 🙂