When we talk about coaching, we’re not talking about the type of coaching when a “coach” puts their student in the water, asks them to ride and then gives a few pointers. When we talk about coaching, we’re referring to a time intensive process. Coaching for us starts first with Building a foundation.
*For the more advanced and expert riders who have hit plateaus, this involves stepping back and perfecting their foundation before moving forward.
(continue reading below to learn more about what make our coaching so unique)
We have created two foundations to help our campers to become the best wakeboarders possible. Foundation one and Foundations two include almost all the fundamental tricks (elements) you’ll need in wakeboarding. Almost all the big tricks you see today in wakeboarding can be broken down into a series of small elements. Those elements can almost all be found within our foundations. Once you build a solid foundation, you can then continue to learn at a faster pace without those dreaded plateaus. Using your own muscle memory you begin to combine one trick with another to create a more difficult trick.
Injury, frustration, sloppy and inconsistent tricks occur when there are gaps in a riders foundation. It takes much less time in the long run to step back and fill in the gaps so that you can then start to run forward. Many times riders don’t know what the “gaps” are, and that’s where our coaches can step in help get you pointed in the right direction.
Beginner and intermediate riders have the advantage when they come to camp in that they have less bad habits to break. As a beginner and intermediate rider, your first week at camp will be spent learning tricks within Foundation 1. One great thing about our foundation is that you get to go at your own pace. Working through our foundation, you are never faced with something that you are not ready for. Everything builds in a safe series. Its how much energy and effort you put out that determines how fast you progress.
Another important key point about the foundation is that it is not just about doing the tricks once and then moving on. Rather, perfecting each element so that you build good muscle memory for future tricks. Muscle memory is a key element to progression. The more good muscle memory you have, the less you have to think about when attempting new tricks. The less you have to think about, the more information you can handle from your coachJ
Once through with Foundation, 1 riders have the choice to move on to foundation 2, or to work on other tricks that are outside of the foundations. Almost all of our campers choose to go directly into foundation two so that they can earn more patches. For the handful of riders that finish foundation two, the stage is set for a rapid series of progression. There are so many tricks that can be created using the foundations, that the rider will find that their largest hurdle is time on the water.
Without trust, a coach can only have minimal impact. There are two elements which are absolutely essential for trust to occur.
Coach’s experience: Our campers need to know that their coach knows what they are talking about. First of all when it comes to coaching. Second when it comes to riding. We believe coaches need to be able to do the tricks that they are coaching. We also require numerous hours and even years of prior coaching experience to be accepted into our elite coaching staff. Let’s face it; no one wants to be the first patient a doctor operates on.
Personal experience with Coach: Strong trust comes when there is an authentic friendship between a camper and a coach. When the camper knows that the coach cares and has their best interest in mind; they can then begin to venture out of their comfort zones. Our goal is for each camper to have a unique friendship with one of our staff members here at camp. That is why it is important for us to have a coed staff. “One of my groomsmen, Ryan Andrews, in my wedding started off as a camper. Three of my groomsmen were coaches from camp, if that’s any indicator of the type of friendships formed at camp.” Mike Schwenne
Each camper is unique. Everyone has a different background. Many times our coaches will pull from a campers experience in other areas in life to help communicate wakeboard principles. Being able to quickly form analogies to communicate successfully with each camper is a true skill that sets our staff apart from any other.
“I’ve witnessed fully capable instructors (not employed by WCC); give poor or lacking experiences with their students just because they were tired, uninterested, or more concerned with their cell phone. Coaching wakeboarding is not an easy task. Every moment you’re constantly analyzing body positions, handle placement, edges and more. Then you’re compressing the results into a more basic language for the student to understand. On top of that, it takes personality to make it fun. It takes a strong work ethic, compassion for others, a fun personality and a true passion for the sport to make a solid instructor. I’ve been blessed to work with such an overqualified staff. It’s been God working through our staff that has made this place as great as it is today. ” Mike schwenne
Alyssa Twelker Chef de Cuisine/Coach : As Chef de Cuisine, Alyssa is queen of the kitchen at camp. Alyssa graduated from The Professional Culinary Institute’s.
FIVE STUDENTS AND TEAM COACH, CHEF RANDY TORRES OF THE PROFESSIONAL CULINARY INSTITUTE LED ACF CULINARY YOUTH TEAM USA TO A WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP AT THE KNORR WORLD CULINARY GRAND PRIX IN GLASGOW, SCOTLAND ...This team represents an array of talented culinarians from PCI beginning with the team members, Edalyn Garcia, Alyssa Twelker, Alison Murphy, Alfonso Mendoza...read more
Not only can she cook, but she can also ride. She recently just finished second in the INT Nationals . This will be Alyssa's second summer at camp, and you can look for her to be working more and more as our girls coach.
Jake Weaver
Coach:
Jake Weaver is currently President of the Sacramento State Wakeboard Club (ranked third in the nation) as well as a team rider on CWB’s exclusive Nor Cal Faction Team. Prior to working for West Coast Wakeboard Camps, Jake spent two years coaching at Launch Wakeboard School. In 2007 Jake took the overall title for the Northern California INT Pro Division. On top of all that Jake was chairman of the 2007 Western Collegiate Wakeboard Regional’s. Jakes talents on the water combined with his tenacious personality off the water have earned him a position aboard the notorious West Coast Camps “Crew”.
Mike Schwenne
Owner/ General Manager : -2004 Vans Triple Crown Mens 1World Champion
-Trained under Darin Shapiro
-8 years professional Wakeboarding since 1992
-Bachelors degree in Business Management and Economics from UCSC
-Masters Degree from Liberty University
Background info:
-Graduated third in her class at Monterey High
-Graduated College in 2 1/2 years from Liberty University with a Bachelors degree in Business Management
- Attained her real estates License at age 20
-Currently working in the off season with Ryan Edwards at Mahoney & Associates commercial Real Estate firm in Monterey, CA
-Volunteer's with High School students at Shorline Community Church
Tim "Nacho" McDaniels McWalters IV Head Coach :
Tim Walters’ role as head coach begins after he receives his bachelor’s degree of Business Administration from Point Loma Nazarene University in May 2008. Tim’s enthusiasm and skill as a wakeboard coach compliments the passion he has for friendships. His strong work ethic and cheerful demeanor inspire those around him, making Tim a great leader. If that weren’t enough, Tim introduced the pass time favorite, “Sponge Tag” to WCC!
Trever "Ski" Maur or "Big T-Maur" Coach/Video Director:
Trever Maur is one of the most watched up and coming riders on the West Coast. Trever was also the first documented riding in the sport of wakeboarding to land a heelside 720 behind a SeaDoo. Trever has also been a featured up and coming rider in Alliance Wakeboarding mag. Trever's greatest quality is his positive & genuine nature to want to help others succeed.
Wally "Walter John Bartel Anderson 24th" Anderson Operation Manager
Wally is one of the most genuine, hard working guys you'll ever meet. Wally is the behind the scenes man at camp. Things get done because of this man. When the boats come back from their sets, Wally is always there to greet them with a smile. Wally is also cousins to alumni coach” the Beast Master”.
Eddie "Special Ed" Valdez
Guest Coach: Eddie "Special Ed" Valdez was a ripping camper back in 2004. Now as a professional rider and coach; he's backed by some of the biggest sponsors in the industry: Nike, Company, No Fear and Oneill... From grabbed 720's off the wake, to 30 foot indy glides off the Double up; this guy has it all.
