I spent a week on the water with a bunch of first timers:

1) 10 year old at ~90 lbs
a. struggled to figure out initially with skim style board.
b. We used the kids board to get him used to feet placement and popping board up.
c. Once he figured out that movement...we put him back to skim and he got it every time.

2) 13 year old at ~110 lbs
a. Skim first time and no problem.
b. Moved to the bigger Rocket for 3 fin stability.

3) 15 year less coordinated kid at ~130 lbs
a. no hope in using the rocket as she couldn't get the pressure on her heels.
b. Had more success with the skim style

4) 8 year old that is tiny at maybe 50 lbs
a. She has really good success with the kids Connelly board.
b. She gets up every time...but not sure she could manhandle a full sized board.
c. I think I could pull her up by hand she makes it look so easy and is so light!


Lesson learned is that every kid once they have it can basically get under it.....but we take for granted how tricky it is to even keep the board straight the first few times you try it!