The Beginner's Guide to Wakesurfing

Learn everything you need to know to get started wakesurfing, from the basics of the sport to advanced techniques and tricks.

Wakesurfing is a water sport that combines the excitement of wakeboarding with the freedom of surfing. It's a relatively new thing, but has quickly gained popularity thanks to its accessibility and fun factor.

Wakesurfing is similar to wakeboarding in that it involves being towed behind a boat on a board. However, in wakesurfing, the surfer does not use a rope or handle. Instead, they simply stand on the board and ride the wake created by the boat. This makes wakesurfing a bit easier to learn than wakeboarding, as there is no need to worry about controlling the rope. It also allows for more freedom of movement, as the surfer can surf the wave in any direction they want.

The History of Wakesurfing

Wakesurfing might be a relatively new sport in terms of popularity, but it actually has its foundational roots in the early days of water skiing. In the 1960s, water skiers began to experiment with different ways to surf the wakes created by their boats. They quickly realized that by standing on the board and using their feet to steer, they could create a more fluid and enjoyable ride.

Fundamentally, wakesurfing developed as a blend of wakeboarding and surfing. It shares some similarities with wakeboarding, such as the use of a boat to create a wake and the use of a board to ride the wake. However, wakesurfing also has some similarities to surfing, such as the surfer's ability to control their position on the wave and perform tricks.

Over the years, wakesurfing has evolved into a popular sport in its own right. Today, there are wakesurfing competitions all over the world, and the sport is growing in popularity every year. Even as a beginner, it's a great way to enjoy the water and get some exercise, particularly so because it's a relatively easy sport to learn.

The Basics of Wakesurfing

Wakesurfing is a relatively easy sport to learn, but there are a few basic things you need to know before you get started.

Choose the right boat. Not all boats are created equal when it comes to wakesurfing. You need a fast and smooth powerboat that can create a large and consistent wake.Choose the right board. There are different types of boards designed specifically for wakesurfing. You need to choose a board that is the right size and shape for your weight and skill level — generally, bigger boards are better for beginners as they're more stable.Wear the right safety gear. This includes a personal flotation device (PFD), a helmet, and gloves.

Now, you're ready to roll. Once you're out on the water, here's a quick step-by-step of how you're going to get up and start surfing.

Get into the water. Once you're in the water, hold onto the rope and let the boat gently tow you to start.As you're being towed, start to shift your weight back and forth on the board. This will help you to balance and stay in control.Once you're comfortable being towed, you can start to try to stand up on the board. This may take a few tries, but eventually you will be able to stand up and ride the wake.Once you're standing up, you can start to experiment with different moves. You can try turning, carving, and even doing tricks.

The more you practice, the better you will become at wakesurfing. With a little bit of time and effort, you will be shredding the waves like a pro in no time.

The Physics of Wakesurfing

Wakesurfing is a relatively simple sport, but the physics behind it are actually quite complex.

When a boat moves through the water, it creates a wake, a series of waves that are created by the boat's propeller and hull. The wake is strongest directly behind the boat, and it gets weaker as it gets further away from the boat.

The wakesurfing wave is created by the boat's wake, and the wakesurfer rides the wake by standing on a board that's balanced along the rolling wave of the wake, and using their feet to steer.

The wakesurfer's weight helps to create the force that propels the board forward, and the position on the board affects the way the board interacts with the wake. If the wakesurfer is standing too far back on the board, the board will sink into the water, or standing too far forward on the board, the board will be too light and will not be able to ride the wave properly.

The wakesurfer can control their speed by changing their weight distribution on the board. Go faster by shifting your weight forward, or slower by shifting your weight back. And of course, to turn left, the wakesurfer can shift their weight to the left; to turn right, the wakesurfer can shift their weight to the right.

If you're advanced, you can do some tricks by changing their position on the board and the way they use their feet to steer. Some common wakesurfing tricks include the 360, the 540, and even a backflip!

Wakesurfing Equipment

There are a few pieces of equipment that you need to wakesurf:

A boat: Of course, this is where it starts. And you need a boat that can create a large and consistent wake. A wakeboard boat, with their strong motors and towing rigs, are ideal for wakesurfing, though you can wakesurf off any boat that's strong enough to create a powerful wake and pull you up to a starting position.A board: There are, of course, different types of boards designed specifically for wakesurfing. Lie we mentioned above, you should choose a board that is the right size and shape for your weight and skill level. If you're unsure about the specifics, your instructor, boat captain, or the local boating supply or surf shop where wakesurf boards are sold should be able to help you figure out what's right for you.Some rope: You need a rope to tow the wakesurfer behind the boat, just to get up onto the water and then onto the wake before you let it go. The rope should be long enough so that the wakesurfer has enough room to ride the wave.Safety gear: This is up to personal preference, of course, but we recommend being cautious and wearing proper safety gear when wakesurfing. This includes a personal flotation device (PFD), a helmet, and gloves.

Here are some additional tips for choosing the right wakesurfing equipment:

If you're a beginner, you should choose a board that is wider and has more rocker. This will help you to balance and stay in control.If you're an experienced wakesurfer, you can choose a board that is narrower and has less rocker. This will allow you to do more tricks.Make sure the rope is the right length for your boat and skill level. A longer rope will give you more room to ride the wave, but it will also be more difficult to control.Wear a PFD, helmet, and gloves every time you wakesurf. This will protect you in case of an accident.

Techniques and Tips for Wakesurfing

Start in shallow water. This will give you more time to get up on the board and learn how to balance.Use your feet to steer. The wakesurfer's feet are their primary way of steering the board. By shifting their weight back and forth, the wakesurfer can control the direction of the board.Lean back. When you're first starting out, it's important to lean back on the board. This will help you to balance and stay in control.Relax. The more relaxed you're, the easier it will be to wakesurf.Practice makes perfect. The more you practice, the better you will become at wakesurfing.

Common Beginner Mistakes in Wakesurfing

Trying to stand up too soon. Don't get ahead of yourself once the tow starts! As the boat begins to move, take as much time as you can to feel the balance of the board in the water as you flip the board and slowly rise up, rather than trying to jump up right away. Leaning forward. It's all about balance. You'll need a slight amount of lean to stay balanced, but lean too far forward towards the nose of the board, and the board will sink into the water, taking you with it.Trying to do too much too soon. Of course, it's important to start with the basics. Don't get too ambitious too quickly. Just focus on getting up your first day or two out on the water, and you can gradually work your way up to more advanced tricks.Not wearing a PFD. It's important to wear a PFD every time you wakesurf, even if you're a strong swimmer. Safety first!

Tips for Boat Drivers when a Surfer Wipes Out

If a surfer wipes out, it's important for the boat driver to take a few steps to ensure their safety.

Slow down the boat. By cutting the engine, you'll stop producing a wake so that your downed surfer doesn't have to get splashed around more than necessary as they recover and wait to hook back up.Circle back around. Once the surfer is back on their board, the boat driver can circle back around and pick them up.Be aware of other boats. When a surfer wipes out, it's important to be aware of other boats in the area. You obviously want to circle around to get your passenger, but be careful of anyone else in your path or who might be oncoming. The boat driver should slow down and be prepared to take evasive action if necessary.

Wakesurfing Safety

Wakesurfing is a relatively safe sport, but there are a few safety precautions that should be taken.

Always wear a PFD. This is the most important safety precaution you can take when wakesurfing.Be aware of other boats. When you're wakesurfing, it's important to be aware of other boats in the area.Do not wakesurf in shallow water. Shallow water can be dangerous, as it can cause the board to get stuck in the mud or sand.Know your limits. If you're not comfortable with a particular trick, do not attempt it.

Advanced Wakesurfing

Once you have mastered the basics of wakesurfing, you can start to experiment with more advanced tricks.

Some advanced wakesurfing tricks include:

The 360º: The 360 is a classic wakesurfing trick that involves spinning the board 360 degrees in the air — one full turn around.The 540º: Not enough spinning for you? The 540 is a more advanced version of the 360 that involves spinning the board 540 degrees in the air, or one and a half times around.The Backflip: The backflip is one of the most difficult wakesurfing tricks to master, and takes both a big wake so you can get a lot of airtime, plus a lot of skill and bravery.


Wakesurfing is a great way to enjoy the water, get exercise, and have some fun. It's a relatively easy sport to learn, and it's a lot of fun for people of all ages. So if you're looking for a new water sport to try, or if you just want to give your next boat day a shot of adrenaline, wakesurfing is a great option!