How to Side Slide on a Wakeboard

Side sliding is one of the simplest fundamentals of wakeboarding. Learn it, master it for control and move on.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• Life Vests
• Ski Boats
• Wakeboard
• Water Ski Ropes
• Wet Suits

1. Do side slides either inside or outside the wake.
2. Twist your hips in either direction (depending on your regular or goofy footed stance) to face the boat. This will help turn the board.
3. Turn the board 90 degrees sideways so that it's perpendicular to the boat's direction of travel.
4. Slide.
5. Keep the board flat on the water, with your weight slightly more on the side of the board that's farther from the boat.
6. Turn your hips back to point your board's nose at the boat.
7. Smile and do it again.

Tips & Warnings

• Leaning away from the boat will cause you to throw some spray, which looks cool but makes sliding slightly less smooth.
• This is easier facing the boat, but you should learn to slide both ways.
• Slide 180 degrees and you're already doing another trick: surface 180.
• Be very careful not to lean forward toward the boat, or you'll do a quick face plant.
• Always wear a life jacket and observe proper boating safety when you wakeboard.