A Rip 'n Ride clinic is a day or half-day introduction to the wet and wild fun of towed water sports, in a group setting to add to the excitement.

It's a program developed by Water Ski and Wakeboard Canada to introduce the sport of towed waters sports to newcomers. Clinics are offered through summer camps, water ski and wakeboard clubs, resorts, traveling clinics and other groups. They are delivered by qualified Water Ski Wakeboard Canada trained Rip ‘'n Ride instructors. The clinic teaches beginners about water safety and the fundamentals of the sport using a system that promotes fun, progression and continued enjoyment in the sport.

A certificate of achievement will be given to each participant. The certificate also doubles as a tracking chart, allowing the participant to apply stickers earned to track achievement and progress. Each attendee also receives a cool report card for added encouragement and keepsake. Other clinic prizing items are also available to be won!

Depending on the host organizer, a Rip 'n Ride clinic can be multi-faceted – meaning it can offer the opportunity to try water skiing, wakeboarding or kneeboarding. Or, it may be focused on just one or two of those. Either way, it's bound to open your eyes to the sensation and fun of skimming across the water!

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The cost of a clinic is set by the hosting group (summer camps, water ski or wakeboard clubs, resorts, traveling clinics and other groups). Contact the group or clinic close to you for the cost.

All equipment is supplied by the hosting group: towboat, water skis, wakeboard, PFD, towropes, etc. Participants need only bring a bathing suit, towel, sunscreen, hat and other comfort items.  If you already have some of your own gear, bring it along.

To sign up for a Rip 'n Ride clinic contact your local Ski and Wakeboard Club or Ski and Wakeboard School or
visit waterski-wakeboard.ca for more information.

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After a Rip'n Ride Initiation Clinic The fun doesn't end with the clinic. It's the beginning! Hopefully the clinic will "wet" your appetite for more. That's where the whole line-up of various forms of towed water sports come in, and the skills for each at the bronze, silver and gold levels. You can branch out to try all the different variations, like wakeboarding, kneeboarding, 1 ski slaloming, and such. Or, you could decide to go as far as you can in any one of those.

Ask your Rip 'n Ride instructor, or look to the Club and Ski School Directory for places where you can get back on the water for more ripping and riding.

The beauty of being a national, standardized program is that you can pursue continued instruction towards your next level or be tested by any recognized instructor in Canada, whether you're in Nova Scotia or British Columbia.

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After Rip 'n Ride The skills that are learned during the program are designed to teach beginners the fundamentals of the sport in a safe and fun way. It is hoped that starting you off in the sport with the proper fundamentals you will continue to participate in towed water sports, maybe some day even entering the competitive side of things. Completing Rip 'n Ride may be a lifelong pursuit, or something that could be achieved in 6 weeks, depending on a whole bunch of variables, like how many times a week you ski or ride, and how many of the different disciplines you want to aspire to at the gold level. Go at your own pace and interest level.

In terms of what’s next, by the time you have achieved a gold level in any one of slalom, tricks, jump, barefoot, wakeboard or wakeskate, you are darned good! It is at that level where, if of interest, you are ready to enter the exciting realm of competition. Your Rip 'n Ride Instructor, the directory of provincial water ski/wakeboard associations and Club/Ski Schools serve as a point of contact for further information about how to become involved in introductory competitions.

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Become a Member Rip 'n Ride wants to encourage everyone to try towed water sports. No membership fee to Water Ski and Wakeboard Canada is required for a Rip ‘'n Ride clinic, it's our welcoming present. If you continue to rip and ride after the initiation clinic because you can't get enough of this new and exciting sport, you will need to become a member after the third time back behind a boat as part of the Rip ‘'n Ride program. To become a member, simply visit/enroll with your provincial water ski/wakeboard association. Most have an online registration option.

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Provincial Locator >>

Join a Club or Ski School To make arrangements to ski or wakeboard on a regular basis, a week long camp, or for whatever you are looking for, consider joining a club or ski school. Check out the directory for a club or ski school nearest you, or which offers what you're looking for.

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