'Walk on Water'

By Mark Flemming

Looking to find a new way to get out on the water this summer?

Experience the feeling of cutting through glassy water on one of the nearby inland lakes, or try to clear the wake and do some tricks. You can even surf a neverending wave as I experienced for the first time when I took to the water with brothers, and fellow Harbor Springs High School graduates, Brandon and Mitch Darnton.

Brandon and Mitch recently started “Walk on Water,” a hands on water sports experience that teaches wakeboarding, water skiing, knee boarding, and wake surfing.

After becoming an accomplished “water walker” himself, Brandon decided to take it to the next level and teach other people.

“I talked to a marina in Glen Arbor about new boats on the market that would allow me to take my wakeboarding skills to the next level and teach other people too. I also needed a good crossover boat for wake surfing, water skiing, and all the different disciplines on the water,” he said.

He chose a 20-foot 2008 Malibu Wakesetter. The boat is equipped with everything necessary for riders of all skill levels including ballast tanks that can be filled with water to make a bigger wake, and a power wedge that can be dropped to shape the face of the wake depending on skill level and what the rider wants to accomplish. Filling the ballast tanks also make it possible to wake surf, a fairly new sport in which you ride close behind the boat on a long continuous wake, put out by the heavy boat.

Being a surfer of the Great Lakes, I can tell you a long ride is not something you get very often making this a fun alternative to actual waves.

I started on the wake surfboard, a little bigger than a wakeboard. It does not have bindings, making it easier to learn how to stand up. After I got the hang of the wake surfboard, I moved to one of five different wakeboards. Which wakeboard you choose depends on size, ability and riding style.

If you’re looking to learn how to water ski, they also have sets of children and adult training skis, three pairs of skis to fit any size person and a slalom ski for experienced skiers.

This was a great way to spend a day out on the water, and the Darnton brothers made it a great overall experience. They love what they’re doing also.

Lessons take place during a three-hour, half-day session from 9 a.m. to noon or from 1-4 p.m. The Darntons are also hoping to start some individual party sessions in the evenings. Starting at the end of July through the end of August, interested riders will be able to go out and ride two evenings a week in a Summer Ride Club.

For more information, contact Brandon Darnton at Walk on Water (231) 330-8738.

This is part of the online edition of Northern Michigan Life.

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