Rick Skinner of Hyperlite & H.O. presents a clinic on this year's gear to our staff. He reminded us how to care for water sports equipment. Be sure to ask what you can do to care for your new gear when you shop.

Want to enjoy your wakeboard, waterskis, and tube for years to come? How about the great neoprene vest  or wetsuit you count on?

There are several ways to damage your gear, including leaving it in the sun where it can become faded or the fibers can deteriorate, on the dock where the fins can get damaged, or by leaving knots or dirt in your tow rope or hanging your wetsuit on a thin wire hanger.

Another way to shorten the life of your gear is to store it in your boat over the winter where shrink wrapping will seal in moisture and freezing temps in Northern climates will cause damage, especially of latex materials used in vests, wetsuits and tubes.

A little TLC will keep your gear healthy longer.  Try to rinse your gear after you use it, wrap your tow rope a different way each time you put it away and store your gear out of sunlight or freezing temperatures.