Wakesurfing has quickly become popular in the water sports. It is easy to learn, making it fun for the whole family. Compared to other water sports it is easier on your body because you are going 11-15 MPH.
Other water sports such as wakeboarding or water skiing are much faster. Now it’s time to learn what it takes to shred behind the boat on a surfboard. Here is our guide for a successful wakesurfing run.
What Type of Boat Do I Need?
When wakesurfing, the boat being used is vital not only for the success of the rider but also for their safety. For surfing you need to have a boat with an inboard motor because of how close the surfer is to the stern of the boat.
Using a boat with an outboard or sterndrive motor is not safe to pull a surfer because the propeller sticks out where the rider could fall. This would cause severe injury, which is why it is illegal to surf behind these boats.
Using a surf boat is recommended because it often comes with ballast bags and a surf system to shape the wave. If you have an Mastercraft Prostar or an older wake boat you can still surf behind them, but you may need some extra gear.
If your wake boat does not have a surf system you may want to purchase a wakeshaper along with ballast bags and a pump. These things will help form and shape the wake into a wave, in turn helping the rider.
*Never use a boat with an outboard motor to surf, only use a boat with an inboard motor to surf*
What Board Do I Need?
When first starting out it is important to have the right kind of board. First you want to make sure that it is a board designed specifically for wakesurfing. These are shaped like a surfboard you would use on the ocean but smaller since the wave you are riding is smaller.
There are three different styles of wakesurfers: a traditional board, a skim board, and a hybrid.
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The traditional style of surfer is floatier and has a more mellow style of a ride. These are typically thicker, have softer edges, and typically have 2-4 fins on the bottom.
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A skim board is ideal for those who want to try new tricks behind the boat. These boards are thinner with sharper edges which helps them be faster and more reactive.
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A hybrid style of board is a mix between the two. It gives the rider the best of both worlds with the board being floaty like the traditional yet reactive like a skim board.
For beginners, we suggest starting out on a traditional style board because its floatier ride style allows you to grasp the feeling of wakesurfing better. The traditional style of board is also more forgiving than a skim board.
A great board for beginners is the Liquid Force Primo. This board is perfect for riders who are learning and offers the rider a lot of control. The Liquid Force Primo is also a board the rider can advance with easily.
What Type of Rope Do I Need?
With water sports there are a variety of different kinds of ropes that are made specifically for what you are doing. Wakesurfing ropes are different from any other kind of rope used for watersports because of its length.
Wakesurfing ropes are 20-25 ft in length and have 3-4 sections that you can choose from. The sections make it easy for everyone to customize their ride to their liking.
Do I Need a Life Vest?
Whenever you are doing water sports you are required to wear a life vest. There are two different kinds you could wear, a comp vest or a CGA vest.
A comp vest is a thinner vest that provides some flotation. These vests are more flexible and less restricting, which is why riders competing or riding at wake parks usually wear them. It is important to note that these vests are not always legal. Be sure to check your local laws and regulations before wearing your comp vest.
A CGA vest is the vest that provides the most flotation between the two. Many companies have created CGA vests that are more flexible for water sports. This vest is legal on all lakes because it has been approved by the coast guard.
*Never wake surf without wearing a life vest*
How Do I Start?
In the water: Position the board so that your back foot is towards the back of the board. Place your feet in the center of the board with your toes in the air.
Keep your knees bent and your arms straight. When the rope is tight put some slight pressure on your heel so the board will pop up under your feet.
Boat starts pulling: The rope will tighten, you will put slight pressure on your heels, and your board will flip. While this is happening, it is important to relax. Let the boat pull you up, there is no need to muscle your way up.
Make sure to stay in the crouched position until you are up on the board. This will help you stay on the board while you are getting up.
When you are up: Balance is the key to wakesurfing. Make sure to keep a slight bend in your knees. It will help you maintain control of the board. Make small stance adjustments if you feel it’s necessary.
Starting To Shred
Think of your front foot as the gas and back foot as the break. Putting more weight on your front foot will push you towards the boat. Putting weight on the back of the foot will move you further from the boat.
Before you throw in the rope you need to find the “sweet spot” in the wave. This is where you feel the push of the wave so if you throw in the rope you’ll stay in the wave. You can move around in the wave by slightly shifting your weight on the board.
We suggest holding on to the rope while figuring out your weight because you will stay on the wave longer, giving you more time to play with your stance. This can be a balancing act at times so don’t worry if you struggle at first. Finding the sweet spot can take some time.
Struggling and Need Some Help?
If you are struggling, it’s okay. Learning a new water sport can take some time. Here are a couple of tips and tricks we can give you to help you out.
Moving People Around the Boat
If the wave is smaller and you’re struggling to find the sweet spot, try moving guests on the boat to one side. This helps the wave become a little bit bigger and will provide more push.
Add More Weight to the Boat
The more weight in the boat the bigger the wave, but it is not always possible to have 8 people in your boat. If you are riding with 2-3 people you can get a bigger wave by adding bags of lead or extra ballast bags to the boat. This helps create a bigger wave without loading the boat full of people.
Let’s Try Something Different
If you are still struggling don’t worry, there are still things you can try. First try a different board. Surfboards are not one size fits all and having the right size board can make a big difference for a rider.
*All surfboards and water sports gear have a suggested weight range. Before purchasing a board make sure that you have the right size for you. *
If you have a large range of sizes in your family, we suggest buying a couple of different sizes of boards so everyone can be successful on the water. Having the right size board is important and can make a world of a difference for every rider.
Time To Surf
Now that we’ve walked you through the basics you are ready to shred. Once you start feeling more comfortable you can start trying different boards or new tricks behind the boat.
Remember to have fun and enjoy your time on the water. It’s okay to fall because it is all part of the process. Go out on the water and enjoy your new favorite pass time.
If you ever have questions about which board works for you and your family, stop by your local Action Water Sports or head to wakehouse.com. We’re here to help you find the ultimate board for all your surfing adventures.
