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Video
Learn to Wake Surf
Wake surfing has opened up a new door to having fun behind the
boat. Though certain individuals have been enjoying it for decades,
it has only recently been getting the attention it deserves. Wake
surfing is easy to learn, it’s a ton of fun and if you
haven’t tried it you’re really missing out. Follow
these easy steps to catching your first wave.
Quick Tips
Ballast: 800-1,500 lbs. Most of the weight should be in the rear
corner of the boat corresponding to the side the surfer is
riding.
Speed: 7-10 mph
Rope Length: 12-18 feet
Boat Pattern: Driving a slight arc will produce the largest and
most consistent wave.
Get Up
1. With the board perpendicular to the boat, space the heels of
your feet a little more than shoulder-width apart and tuck your
knees into your chest. With a palm-down grip and with your arms
wrapped around your legs, you’re ready to go.
2. As the boat slowly accelerates, try to stay centered over the
board and resist the pull of the boat with your upper body. Try to
keep your body compact by keeping your heels close to your butt
during the initial pull from the boat.
3. As the boat speed increases, the nose of the board will
naturally come around to the boat from its original perpendicular
position. At this point, focus on keeping your head and chest up
while keeping a low center of gravity.
4. Push upward with equal weight on your feet from the squatting
position while maintaining an upright upper body. After you find
your balance on the board and feel comfortable, it’s time to
steer the board to the right or left depending on whether you want
to surf frontside or backside.
Surf Now
Surfing frontside on the wave (chest facing the wave) is the
easiest way to learn. Once you’ve maneuvered yourself into
the wave, you’ll know whether it’s surfable if there is
very little tension in the tow line. When you feel the wave
overtaking the board and the towline goes limp, it’s time to
throw the handle to your spotter in the boat. If you’re not
experiencing a gliding motion and the tow line is tight, then you
probably need more weight in the boat or the driver needs to adjust
the speed.
Slow Down
There will be times when you pick up too much speed and end up near
the transom. To slow down, simply shift more weight and your upper
body over your rear foot.
Speed Up
To increase speed and advance farther up the wave, shift more
weight and your upper body over your front foot. Pumping your front
foot on the board will also help you maintain speed.
