Nicola Butler Coaching Sessions at Liquid Leisure

After the whirlwind of world class wakeboarding talent converged in North Wales for Wakestock (part of the WWA Wakeboard World Series) we were delighted that second placed and World Champion Nicola Butler, took the time from recovering to come and share her expertise and advice with us before heading back to the US.

Nicola made the trip to Liquid Leisure Friday and Saturday to host a boat and cable coaching session with 6 lucky ladies, giving them a chance to hang out with the leading rider, get some top coaching tips, pick her brains until the late hours and get some free give-aways to boot!

The weather gods blessed us as we all met on Friday afternoon to meet Nicola and soak up some sun before heading out on the boat. With nice long sets, all the girls managed to refine their riding with encouragement and guidance from the guest coach. Some really pulled out all the stops, Rachel W throwing a surprise backroll at the end of her set! For a few it was a great refresher having taken time out from wakeboarding, and others a chance to make those minor adjustments that make all the difference, Nikki getting more pop to reach for grabs, and Mel and Rachel S getting their ‘GRRR’ on to make wake to wakes. Brenda was working on surface spins and Amy, not having ridden for a few years, took to it like a duck to water.

So after the long evening’s coaching we settled down for a BBQ and chance to laugh at the campers amongst the girls as their fully assembled tents had to be relocated due to the 05.30am triathlon swimmers! As the evening set in, Mat Priddy, organised a secluded area of the bar with sofas and monitors for us to have a private screening of some of Nicola’s riding videos, theory coaching and a little Question and Answer session. The theory took an interesting turn as Nicola produced a pellet gun along with a handle for demonstration purposes! Thankfully the prospect of a ‘tough love’ approach to learning didn’t materialise and the girls practiced handle passes, body positioning and better hip and handle discipline. Before we knew it, the bar was shutting up and time for bed ahead of the cable sessions the following morning.

Saturday again was glorious weather and the girls were joined by Laura Christian for a couple of hours of cable coaching. As with the boat, each girl was given private tuition from Nicola as she rode ‘doubles’ allowing her to talk each rider through their chosen tricks right there with them. It was great to see that most girls, fuelled and inspired from the day before, despite being obviously tired, were asking for advice on their raley cuts.

It was a great experience for the girls to get an insight from one of the best female riders in the world, and with signed posters, glasses and a load of Company goodies, the girls left obviously amped to ride and empowered to push themselves. We think Nicola’s a great role model for female wakeboarders out there and we’re really grateful that she took the time out to come and inspire a few us.

Huge thanks to Stu Marston and Mat Priddy at Liquid Leisure for all their help and support in making this session possible, and of course, thanks to Nicola Butler and Company for their time and contributions.

Pictures courtesy of Mel Collins

Sunday 01 August 2010 | Permalink