So this summer wasn’t a great one for frequency on the lake–at least not for me. I plan to make up for it this fall. But I’m kind of wimpy and it’s currently 61 degrees outside. Yeah, I have a drysuit and I’ll wear sweats underneath it and stuff, but I’m wondering: what’s the coldest weather you’ve ever skied or boarded in?

Come on people, add your comments. I need the motivation.

I just wanted to let you know that I remember. Today I will do lots of fun things (hopefully using my state park season pass) and it will be a great day. Perhaps the fact that I am going to enjoy life and my family and sunshine despite the tragedy of 9/11 is a victory of it’s own. I don’t know. But I do know this: I have not forgotten.

Yeah, yeah, I know, it’s been over two months since I’ve blogged. Yes, I know this makes me a crappy blogger. But I’m making up for it my having a contest! See? I used the word “contest” and an exclamation point and already I feel better.

Here’s the deal: not only have I not blogged lately, I haven’t even been on a lake lately. The reasons why are unimportant (who wants to hear me whine? That’s right–nobody). But I’m totally dying to get my hair wet in a non-shower way. In the meantime, I’m having a contest to see who has had the most enviable boating experience while I’ve been stuck on land. So add your totally awesome story in the comments section and we’ll see who wins.

A note about a prize: there is no prize, other than bragging rights. And no, I haven’t technically asked the head honcho at Marine Products if I could have a contest on his site, but I really don’t think he’ll mind.

Also, while you’re out having a contest-worthy run on Labor Day, please be safe. Stay hydrated, but don’t drive your boat totally wasted.

Okay, so we had my little girl (aka Miss S) try the Hot Shot Trainer. She didn’t feel ready to try behind the boat, so my dad pulled her around the beach for a while. She didn’t want to fall, so my sister had to run along, holding Miss S up by her armpits. If you use this method at your house, don’t be the one holding up the kid. My sister, by far, had the hardest job.

I love this product, even though I don’t think we can say Miss S actually skied yet. But we’re building memories of waterskiing as a fun thing to do instead of something where you almost drowned. And the skis will continue to work for her as she gets older and more daring.

Mwa ha ha ha! I sent my parents and brother to Marine Products and then asked for their feedback. For the record: they were shopping for a surf board and no one in my family had every tried wake surfing before so they were true neophytes.

The store was busy (a good sign). The sales guy who was helping them (I didn’t get a name, sorry) was helping several different people at the same time, but my family still felt taken care of. It’s an admirable salesman who can juggle multiple customers without making them feel unimportant. The guy helping them suggested a board he felt beginners could use but that we wouldn’t outgrow too quickly.

[Ha! We'll never outgrow this board seeing as how my dad was the only one who managed to get up on it. But I'll get to that in a bit.]

There is a possibility that perhaps the guy steered my family away from the dirt-cheapest option. Perhaps to increase his commission, perhaps because dirt-cheap is never the highest quality. We really don’t know and we really don’t care. Bottom line: we felt like we got good advice and a good product at a good price.

*To those of you considering making a how-to DVD: it is not helpful to watch a professional get up effortlessly. Inspiring, yes. But not helpful. What would be helpful would be watching a professional teach a beginner. A brand-spanking new beginner. I would like to see a more realistic version of what learning entails. Also, there are probably some details to getting up that you seasoned athletes are forgetting. Showing a beginner would help cover those.

[Remember how I said my dad was the only one who got up? Yeah, wake surfing is harder than the 3-minute DVD made it look. And I think my dad got up because he's an athlete. They guy did 3 triathlons last summer. As a regular gal, I struggled.]

Also, I would appreciate a section in how-to DVDs where the seasoned professional coaches a driver who is new to driving for the sport with and without someone behind the boat. That would be a helpful detail that would put your instructional DVD above and beyond the competition.

If you need a beginner for your DVD I hereby volunteer myself. And I may have family (spies) interested as well.

Our family’s traditional week-long boating trip is imminent and we’re busy making preparations. There are two main things that I’ll drive all the way back to get if I forget them. First is my wakeboard. I’ve got a Hyperlite board, which I love, but Marine Products has great deals on so many more kinds. If skiing is your deal (and that’s how it is with most of my family), there are great deals on skis as well.

The second thing I’d drive back for is my swimsuit. Without those two things, I wouldn’t have any of the fun we’re going to have.

What would you drive back from a big boating trip to get if you forgot it? Let us know in the comments!

Also, we’ll be sure to bring back some pictures for you.

The Hyperlite Wakeboarding Company has been around since the sport was first invented and has certainly come a long way to achieve its renowned status in the sport. Hyperlite has various athletes that they sponsor including the legendary Shaun Murray and Erik Ruck. Hyperlite Wakeboards are known for its attractive appearance and the great performance that they are able to provide. The boards are known for their thin and subtle profile in addition to the sharp edges.

I have only three words to describe my skiing condition this year: out of shape. Seriously, it’s pathetic. I didn’t get to ski last year because I was pregnant/just had a baby so it’s been two years since I’ve really done anything. What are your tips for getting back in shape? Skinny jeans, schminny jeans. I don’t care about that, I care about looking respectable on the lake. And remember, I’m looking for something reasonably effective without taking tons of time.