Memphis is the largest city in the state of Tennessee and a popular tourist destination due to its classification as the Home of the Blues. Memphis is home to Graceland, the mansion that once served as home to the “King of Rock and Roll”, Elvis Presley where thousands of fans continue to visit long after his death. Thanks to the proximity to the Mississippi River, many visitors and residents alike can also enjoy fun and exciting Memphis water sports like wakeboarding and Mississippi River Boat rides.
Wakeboarding
Wakeboarding is a water sport in which the participant rides a short, wide board that is pulled by a motorboat. The border stays on the board by fitting their feet into boot-like devices attached to the board or with straps. This feature is what gives the border the ability to stay upright on the board during their movements.
The wakeboarder performs a variety of moves and acrobatics that makes the sport appealing to enthusiasts of all ages. Brad and Heidi of Specific Gravity 1 explain that they have enjoyed wakeboarding for more than fifteen years and now offer other newcomers to the sport and long-time enthusiasts the ride they need to enjoy wakeboarding and other types of Memphis water sports.
Reasons for the Popularity of Wakeboarding
Too often, vacations are classified as either “family” or “adventure” vacations. Participating in adventurous activities simply isn’t realistic for families with young children. That is no longer true when families participate in Memphis water sports. The sport of wakeboarding originated in Australia, combining techniques from skiing, snowboarding, and surfing. There, and in other countries including the U.S., there are various competitions including categories for kids. Although children vary according to the age they are most likely to excel at the sport, there are some steps parents should take before getting their kids started.
Children need to be able to swim and should be comfortable in the water. They will need to wear a life vest and helmet. If the facility where you will be wakeboarding has a beginner’s course, let them start there until they are comfortable with the movements and ready to move to the next level. The same is true for adults who are trying wakeboarding for the first time.
Children will need to get used to the feeling of being pulled up. If a beginner’s course is not available, consider how you might use the swimming pool to duplicate the experience. Since falling off the board is highly likely on a first attempt, beginners should also be prepared to land in the water.
The availability of Memphis water sports offers families the opportunity for a more adventurous vacation. Kids are likely to want to repeat their experience time and again. With so many other activities to do in Memphis, there is no limit to the activities each member of the family can enjoy during their stay. Best of all, a trip to Memphis is a good choice for a weekend outing or an extended vacation that’s conveniently close to home.