How to Wakesurf

Wakesurfing is a new form of lake water sports, similar to wakeboarding, with some slight differences. Wakesurfing is done with a small rope, towed behind a boat, no more than 10 feet from the motor. The tow boat is not traveling at a high speed, thus the wave that wakesurfers ride on is large and powerful, giving you the feel of surfing in the ocean.

Instructions

Difficulty: Challenging

1. Get the correct equipment. To properly wakesurf, you will need a wakesurf board, a proper wakesurf rope, and a speed boat with an inboard motor and a rope tie overhead. If you can't find the proper equipment for wakesurfing at your local store, visit one of the many online stores.
2. Know which way you surf. Before you get started, take a minute to figure out which direction you want to surf. If you surf, skateboard or snowboard regular foot (left foot forward), line up in the water on the right side of the boat. If you are a goofy foot (right foot forward), line up in the water on the left side of the boat. You aren't supposed to cross over the wake while wakesurfing.
3. Create a big wave. Have all the other people and objects of weight in the boat sit on the side of the boat that you are wakesurfing on. This will create a bigger wave for you to surf.
4. Let the boat do the work. Getting up on a wakesurf board is no different than a wakeboard, the boat does most of the work. Even though your feet are not strapped in on a wakesurf board, you will be secure. Trust yourself.
5. Use the rope as a guide. Once you are up and wakesurfing, the rope is really only there for guidance. You are supposed to surf on the wake as you would if you were surfing in the ocean. Only use the rope if you feel like you are losing the wave or about to fall. Think of it as a crutch.

Tips & Warnings

• Do not, under any circumstances, wakesurf behind a boat with an outboard motor. If you can see the motor, DO NOT wakesurf behind the boat. At times, while wakesurfing, you get close enough to the back of the boat to reach out and touch it. If you have an outboard motor, you, the rope or the board can get caught underneath.