|
Just when health officials warn that America’s youth spend too much time inside with “virtual” action games and not enough time being active, two young wakeboard competition champions bring their sport back home.
Some would say that in a town like Gig Harbor, while certainly offering venues for the Arts and boat owners, there wasn’t much for Gig Harbor’s youth to do during the summer.
While many local kids go to soccer, basketball, or golf camps during the summer, parents are looking for fun summer camps and kids want to do some of the cool things they see happening in the wakeboarding sport — that’s where Northwest Wakeboard Camp came in.
“Basically, my brother Matt and I grew up wakeboarding and had to teach ourselves. Now that we are accomplished national champions, we want to give back and help the upcoming local wakeboarders,” explained Bret van den Heuval, co-owner, pro wakeboarder, and college national team champion.
The 24-year-old Bret and 23-year-old Matt Van den Heuval, known locally as Bret V and Matt V, decided to turn their hobby into a business and fill a void for youth opportunities and talent.
“Each year, we donate lessons to auctions and charities. Wakeboarding has taken us all over the world and we feel very lucky for the opportunities,” added Bret V.
The Northwest pro team rider Bret Van den Heuval is frequently seen taking sets on Horsehead Bay or Mason Lake to hone his skills before going to the national wakeboard competitions.
“When we were growing up on Horsehead Bay, we really progressed having had the opportunity to take lessons in Florida,” said Matt V, “neighbors starting hiring us to do tricks at parties and then we were teaching our friends in the late 90s.”
“But, the main reason why we teach lessons is to get people excited about watersports and boating. By incorporating Malibu Boats into our lessons, students get to wakeboard behind the best boat available! Our coaches are very patient and create a fun atmosphere on the water,” added Bret V.
The two brothers have a high respect for the outdoors, other boaters, the environment, and instill that in their students, adding that they want others to know that wakeboarders want to coexist with other sports and work hard to break the previous notions people may have had of their sport.
In fact, wakeboarders and surfers of all ages and abilities are welcome, “I’ve had students aged 5 years to 65 years,” added Matt V.
Matt is the head coach of the camp and has added two more teachers since last season to handle the increased demand. Another champion, Brent Starr, as well as an up and coming talent, Tom Olson, who is just 17 years old and a previous student.
“We also try to build relationships with our customers. Many of our wakeboard camp customers have gone on to buy new Malibu boats from me this year!”
Bret V also does Malibu Boat Sales at Bakes Marine in Issaquah, contact Bret@bakesmarine.com, phone (425) 392-7599 or online at www.bakesmarine.com.
Sponsors of the NW Wakeboard Camps include Blindside, Malibu, Chevy, Rock Star, Wet Tech, Hardline, Dragon, Reef, and Bakes.
Equipment at the camp consists of Blindside boards and bindings, Wet Tech wetsuits and life vests, Hardline ropes and handles.
The camps are located on Horsehead Bay in Gig Harbor and a Full-Day Camp (10 AM to 3 PM) costs $150 per person lunch included. Hourly Lessons for one person run $45 an hour, two people for $30 each per hour, and three or more are $25 each per hour.
They also offer instruction behind your boat (unlimited students) at $40 an hour and they come to you, Wakeboard Rentals without lessons cost $25 per day, and boat rental for parties run about $80 an hour, and they come to you.
Check them out online at: http://www.wakeboardnorthwest.com/?p=181
For more information, to join a camp or schedule a lesson contact Bret at 253-312-5111, bretv86@hotmail.com or Matt at 253-223-5902, or nwwakecamp@gmail.com. |
