The Spark
Turning 40 felt like the perfect excuse for Claire to do something completely different and memorable. She had always been curious about water sports and wakesurfing had caught her eye. It looked fun, exciting and a bit of a challenge. With her best mate Jojo along for the ride, Claire booked a session on Windermere on a summer’s day.
“I had never tried anything like it before but I love a challenge and could not resist the chance to try something totally new”
Pulling up at the marina, Claire felt a mix of nerves and excitement. But meeting Tony soon put her at ease. He greeted them with a big smile, helped them into the right wetsuits and even took a few photos while they waited for Ed and the boat. That friendly welcome made the experience feel much more inviting and less intimidating.
“Tony’s friendly energy really helped calm my nerves and get us excited for the experience”
By the time Ed arrived with the boat, Claire was buzzing with anticipation. She was still a little nervous but eager to get started.
The Breakthrough
The setup was simple, just a board, a rope and Ed’s calm, reassuring guidance. The water on a hot summer’s day looked inviting and Ed’s clear instructions explained everything from choosing a leading leg to how the boat and rope would do most of the work.
“It was reassuring how simple the setup was, just a board and a rope. It made the whole experience feel much less intimidating than I had imagined”
Claire’s first attempts were trial and error. She tried to muscle her way up with her legs instead of letting the boat lift her and forgot to press her heels down. Every splash back into the lake was met with encouragement and laughter.
“On my first couple of tries I was definitely overthinking it. Each attempt taught me something new and I started to get the hang of how the rope and boat would naturally lift me up”
Then came the turning point. On her fourth attempt, everything clicked. Claire stood up, wobbled for a moment and then found her balance. The moment was electric, the rush of accomplishment, the sparkle of the lake and the cheers from Jojo and Ed made it unforgettable.
The Sweet Spot
Before the session, Claire had a few worries. Would she be cold? Would she be scared? But those fears vanished almost straight away. The wetsuit kept her warm, the boat gave her confidence and Ed’s coaching made everything feel safe and achievable.
“I was worried I would be cold but with the wetsuit I was completely fine. I did not feel scared, just determined to get on that board”
By the end of the day, Claire had found the sweet spot. The moment where nerves, effort and guidance all came together into pure joy. She had gone from complete beginner to someone surfing the wave with confidence. Sharing the experience with Jojo and feeling the power of the water made it a day she will never forget.
“Exhilarating, empowering and the perfect way to celebrate turning 40”
And her advice for anyone trying wakesurfing for the first time?
“Do not overthink it. Trust the rope and the boat to lift you up, stay relaxed and enjoy the ride”
Fancy your own wakesurfing story?
Claire’s journey shows that wakesurfing is for everyone whether it is your first time on the water or a special milestone adventure. With expert BWSW accredited instructors, a luxury Nautique boat and two-way helmet systems for seamless coaching, you can tick surfing off your bucket list too! Book your wakesurfing session today.
