Regardless of whether you want to learn your first invert, add another rotation to your favorite spin, or finally get a solid wake jump under your belt, wakeboard camp is the place to do it. At wakeboard camp, the mission is to get you safely to your next level through face-to-face professional instruction — all while having the best time of your life. The camps and schools on this list — presented in alphabetical order — have set themselves apart over the years by providing exemplary service and next-level results without the punishing falls. Consider this the first step on your path to wakeboarding progression.
AF Wake
AF Wake offers personalized coaching from Adam Fields at one of four East Coast locations or on your home lake. Fields and his handpicked team of high-level coaches instruct students based on his tried-and-true method.
Location: Littleton, North Carolina
Level of instruction: Beginner, intermediate, advanced
Types of instruction: Wakeboarding, wakeskating, wakesurfing
Top instructors: Adam Fields
Accommodations: Family-style overnight accommodations for up to 5
Website: afwake.com
The Boarding School
The Boarding School offers the whole wakeboard experience. Led by Travis Moye, it offers a learning environment that is extremely professional but also laid back and personal as well as some of the best riding out there no matter the wind conditions. The camp accommodates up to eight people at a time, typically in week-long blocks, and features two lakes, MasterCraft boats and a System 2.0 cable park with pro-level coaches.
Location: Orlando, Florida
Level of instruction: Beginner, intermediate, advanced
Types of instruction: Wakeboarding, wakeskating, wakesurfing
Top instructors: Travis Moye, Jeff Langley, Clay Fletcher
Accommodations: 3-bedroom, 2-bath house and private apartment accommodate up to 8 people
Website: theboardingschool.com
Freedom Wake Park
Freedom Wake Park offers one-on-one private coaching from the husband-and-wife team of Cobe and Tarah Mikacich. Campers actually stay with the Mikaciches, so it’s a great fit for students who prefer a more personal approach and coaches who are guaranteed to get to know them and their riding style. Freedom Wake Park features System 2.0 training in addition to the boat.
Location: Orlando, Florida
Level of instruction: Beginner, intermediate, advanced
Types of instruction: Wakeboarding, wakeskating, wakesurfing
Top instructors: Tarah and Cobe Mikacich
Accommodations: Up to 6 people, family style
Website: freedomwakepark.com
Lavelle Training School
With a proven, step-by-step approach that helps students understand tricks before they try them, wakeboard pioneer Dean Lavelle coaches riders of all ability levels in a one-on-one environment.
Location: Pompano Beach, Florida
Level of instruction: Beginner, intermediate, advanced
Types of instruction: Wakeboarding, wakeskating, wakesurfing
Top instructors: Dean Lavelle
Accommodations: On-site suite that accommodates up to 4 people
Website: wakeboard-school.com
O Town Watersports
Located in the heart of Orlando, the wakeboard mecca of the world, O Town Watersports and owner Glen Fletcher have helped scores of high-level pros like Rusty Malinoski, Steel Lafferty and Dallas Friday get where they are today. Trampoline and obstacle training complement two to three boat sets per day.
Location: Orlando, Florida
Level of instruction: Beginner, intermediate, advanced
Types of instruction: Wakeboarding, wakeskating, wakesurfing
Top instructors: Glen Fletcher
Accommodations: On-site dormitory-style or private rooms
Website: otownwatersports.com
Orlando Watersports Complex
One of the premier water-sports complexes in the world, Orlando Watersports Complex offers lessons from iconic instructors like Shaun Murray and Mike Ferraro, the legendary coach of some of wakeboarding’s most elite pro riders. Cable lessons are offered in hour-long increments, while boat training starts in half-hour installments.
Location: Orlando, Florida
Level of instruction: Beginner, intermediate, advanced
Types of instruction: Wakeboarding, wakeskating, wakesurfing
Top instructors: Shaun Murray, Mike Ferraro, Ryan Jones, Derek Leblanc, Nick Feinsod, Brandon Fuentes, Nick Kamper
Accommodations: Offsite
Website: orlandowatersports.com
Pat McElhinney Wakeboard School
Since 1991, Pat McElhinney has been helping riders of all ages and ability levels progress their riding. With a focused approach that keeps riders in the boat learning all day, McElhinney’s school is also one of the best values out there.
Location: Seguin, Texas
Level of instruction: Beginner, intermediate, advanced
Types of instruction: Wakeboarding, wakeskating, wakesurfing
Top instructors: Pat McElhinney, Matt Strom
Accommodations: Off site
Website: themcelhinneywakeboardschool.com
The Wakeboard Camp
Located just outside Orlando, this massive outfit can accommodate up to 15 campers at a time and features on-site lodging and meal prep. The Wakeboard Camp has multiple boats and a massive training lake that always has a calm spot. Coaching is available in both full-week blocks and hour-long increments. Veteran coaches Bob Sichel and Billy Parks — each of whom has more than five years of experience — use legendary coach Kyle Schmidt’s proven method of pain-free progression.
Location: Clermont, Florida
Level of instruction: Beginner, intermediate, advanced
Types of instruction: Wakeboarding, wakeskating, wakesurfing
Top instructors: Bob Sichel, Billy Parks, Kyle Schmidt, Nick Dorsey
Accommodations: Up to 15 people
Website: wakeboardcamp.com
West Coast Wakeboard Camps
Specializing in youth summer camps, West Coast Wakeboard Camps teaches in a fun, pressure-free environment. Based on houseboats, this one-of-a-kind camp provides some of the best fun you’ll ever have on the water.
Location: La Grange, California
Level of instruction: Beginner, intermediate, advanced
Types of instruction: Wakeboarding, wakeskating, wakesurfing
Top instructors: Mike Schwenne
Accommodations: Houseboats
Website: westcoastcamps.com
World Wakeboard Center
Founded in 1993, the World Wakeboard Center has produced two of today’s best water-sports athletes in wakeboarder Trevor Hansen and wakeskater Reed Hansen. WWC has three different lakes and on-site accommodations that include the preparation of nutritious meals. The WWC’s safe instructional method allows for progression without the falls.
Location: Groveland, Florida
Level of instruction: Beginner, intermediate, advanced
Types of instruction: Wakeboarding, wakeskating, wakesurfing
Top instructors: Andy Hansen, Ryan Anderson, Reed Hansen, Trevor Hansen
Accommodations: Up to 20 people
Website: worldwakeboardcenter.com
