Hear what our Customers have to say!

- I have been wakeboarding alone with my family for more than 6 years. While I was getting more comfortable riding and cruising behind the boat, I did not make any major progress nor learn any trick. After a year spent at South Bay Wakeboard Academy, my progression went through the roof. I have learned the basics and built many tricks on top of that. Derek has been keen on helping me progress and really pinpointed the areas I needed to improve. His advises were clear and easy to understand/execute; I was then quickly capable of doing tricks I never thought I could pull off. I am making progress during every lesson and my wakeboard rides are becoming more and more enjoyable.
-Julien Soriano

- I started wakeboarding at age 58 and when I took my first lesson, I could not even cross the wake. Derek didn’t bat an eye, though. He went right to work showing me the fundamentals. He is always friendly, upbeat, encouraging, and patient. I was a steady customer for three years and I would still be taking lessons from Derek had it not become necessary to relocate to Kansas for work.
-Paul Ross

- My wife and I have been taking several lessons with Derek the last year or so. Derek is hands down the best at instructing. I have been able to improve my form, fundamental skills and overall riding hands down. I was stuck in a rut and Derek has motivated me to take my riding to a new level. Trust your time into Derek, he will make you that much better! For what its worth, just being on the boat with Derek and watching him ride is amazing, his vibe, attitude and laid back attitude makes a day on the water that much more fun. That alone is worth price of admission itself.
- Isaac Gredinberg

- Derek Cook is hands down one of the best wakeboard instructors that I have had the pleasure of working with. He knows how to break down tricks step by step, from basic wake to wake jumps to more advanced spins and inverts. Derek is a professional in and out of the water. He is the go to for wakeboard lessons. Thanks Derek! My kids will be coming to you when they are old enough to start wakeboarding.
- Arun Frances

- “I’ve known Derek for over 10 years. So I was somewhat curious on how this very laid-back, passive guy would teach/coach. But I was very surprised when we got on the lake. Cook wasn’t the same guy. His teaching/coaching style fit my learning curve to a T. He got me up and boarding on the very first try. He has a keen eye and he called out my bad form, and adjusted my form on the fly. He has a great way of putting his thoughts into words that make sense to someone learning a physical sport. Which isn’t easy to do.. I can’t wait to get back out on the lake with the Academy.”
– Rocky Citti

- I was very impressed by Derek and the staff at Nor Cal Wakeboard Camp. They are professionals that really want you to learn and have fun while doing it. I was amazed how much I learned my first session on the water. Nor Cal gave me the confidence and tools to take my riding to the next level. I’d recommend Nor Cal Wakeboard Camp to anyone willing to learn at any skill level. I will definitely be back!!
- Sean O’Hare

- SBWA has made me a better wakeboarder! Derek’s patience and guidance has made me want to come back and learn more and more tricks and grabs! Every time that I go out on the lake with SBWA I have a great time!!! The best thing about the Academy is that you do not need any equipment, they have boards and bindings for all shapes and sizes.
- Miguel Aldaz

- Derek and Mike at SBWA are great coaches and integrate a lot of fun and creative coaching techniques in their programs. SBWA has coached everyone from first timer children to senior citizens with success. Every time I come away with smiles, laughs and measure-able results. No gear or equipment required…just a desire to learn and have fun!
-Matt Winans

- I was referred to Derek Cook by a friend of ours from Nor Cal Master Craft. My daughter had just learned to wakeboard a couple of years prior and it seemed she was getting a lot of different directions to accomplish the same thing from everyone in the boat. She was frustrated and not improving so I decided to get a professional out there and have one-on-one training by someone who could show her and tell her what to do the right way. On her first lesson Derek had her learn how to cut and really control her board… he even got her to do one or two surface 180s before we ended. Her second lesson she worked on the surface 180s and by the end of the lesson she was flipping back and forth as if it was nothing. Her third lesson showed even more improvement and she was doing Ollies. Each lesson has shown marked improvement and we are anxious for the warm weather to arrive so we can start the season off with more lessons.
Derek is very patient with my daughter and she feels completely comfortable and trusts him. I do not know how to wakeboard, nor do I have the patience with her so having Derek as her personal coach has been absolutely wonderful. I highly recommend his coaching and would be happy to talk with anyone who has any questions. You cannot go wrong with Derek!
-Nichole Winter