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What is it about kids and sport? Last month my colleague was humiliated by midget snowboarders. This month, it was my turn.
When the folk at Dreamdays proposed that we have a crack at wakeboarding, we were told there was zero chance I'd stand up on my first attempt.
In fact, they even recommended we take a teenage wakeboarder with us so we'd get a few decent shots. They were right.
After meeting our crew on the beach, we were whisked away in a speedboat at a speed befitting a 007 chase. Not long after, we came to a halt just offshore of The One&Only Royal Mirage and the kit came out.
A wakeboard is basically a broad waterski that is about 1.5 metres long and has two flexible rubber footholds.
Effectively, you are hauled behind a speedboat like you're waterskiing although the body positioning is more similar to surfing.
Omer, our 16-year-old wakeboarding guru, said he'd go first then I could try afterwards. Dropping off the side of the boat, he manoeuvred his feet into the board, lay flat and gripped the tow rope. On his signal, our skipper let it rip and Omer sprung up.
Zipping side to side, he skipped from one edge of the boat's wake to the other, cresting the slipstream and occasionally leaping into mid-air. The boat moved in broad circles and each time Omer managed about three to five minutes of wakeboarding before he dropped the line.
Then it was my turn. I swam across to the wakeboard and fitted my feet into it. Omer told me to keep the board perpendicular to the boat, with the towrope in the middle of the board. "Your hands and arms should be straight. As the boat starts, your knees should be bent and close to the board. As it gets faster, twist your board around with your legs and push up. Remember not to pull the cord; let the boat pull you."
Huh? All I knew was that next thing I am ploughing through the water. Somehow, I manage a little upward thrust and almost stand up, whereupon I immediately fumble and let go of the rope. The next two efforts are totally feeble, but at least I'm outdoors exercising and getting some salt water into my lungs.
My fourth effort is slightly better. Rather than feeling like an anchor being hauled, I manage to lift myself slightly skyward, only to lose grip of the towrope yet again. "Your fourth time was okay," said Omar, as we speed back. "The conditions here aren't ideal. Wakeboarding was actually designed for lakes, not the ocean." Yeah right.
Thankfully, wakeboarding sessions take place where few people can see you. But I'll be back.
Contact: Dreamdays on 800-2080 or go to www.dreamdays.ae
Cost: Dhs160 for 15 minutes includes all equipment.
Equipment: Wakeboarding equipment is available at Al Boom Marine, Al Wasl Road and Go Sports, Ibn Battuta Mall, Mall of the Emirates and Uptown Mirdiff.
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