Thank You - Kyle Schmidt!!

Posted on Soulriders… by Liz Freeman

The Kyle Schmidt clinic was unreal! He is a phenomenal coach with such a complete understanding of all things wake. We started with a nice review of edges, stance and riding positions, etc. which was great for all of us to hear and think about. We had four in our boat: Jen (Flowergirl), Lumpy (Taco Dropper), Mike and me.

Jen - worked on riding cuffed, backside board slides and a ton of board and edge control drills. It is going to make a huge impact on her toeside wake to wakes when she unpacks them again. Kyle was impressed with her ability to do surface 180s. He had her working on surface handle passes too.

Lumpy worked on general form, backside board slides on the outside turn and in the flats. Kyle had his heel side W2Ws getting better - it is suprising how hard it is to come at the wake tall and do nothing. He also worked on toeside edging techniques.

Mike got some instruction on toeside front rolls and toeside backrolls. Kyle has an awesome way of building skills and helping riders feel out the tricks. Mike nearly rode away from his 3rd and 5th attempts. I think in another set or two he will have both of those tricks. Last year he landed a 5 right after working with Kyle. Even though Mike got crummy water for his second set he has plenty of ideas to land those tricks.

I was stoked to get back on the heelside 180 horse. Kyle had some awesome drills for getting me more comfortable landing on that switch toeside edge. I think I'll get that yet. My second set I got to work on toeside 3s (by taking baby steps) and backrolls (again just the basics). Kyle has an awesome way of teaching backrolls with a 25 foot rope. That was the strangest thing riding right there by the passengers! I have hope that I will figure out the technique he was explaining to me.

Overall it was an amazing clinic and SO worth the time and money. It seems like every word that comes out of that guy's mouth makes total sense and brings you to a whole new level of wakeboarding knowledge. As a teacher and a sports coach I completely appreciate his way of breaking down tricks and using everyday analogies. Who knew that car ramps, ice skates, bouncing balls and catapults all related to wakeboarding?

Big props out to Thad, too, who drove us around all day. His skills were outstanding and he allowed the riders to really focus on what they were learning instead of worrying about the pull. He went above and beyond to set this clinic up and to make it successful (even after the water cops stopped us on Petite). Ultimate Wake rocks for bringing in a coach of this caliber.

If anyone ever gets the chance to ride with Kyle here or at the Wakeboard Camp in Clermont, FL I would highly recommend it!