How to Wakesurf - Beginner Wakesurfing Tips
Wakesurfing is one of the best watersports for Arizona lakes. It's literally a sport centered around surfing the waves created by the boat as it moves through the water. And you'll have the most fun with a boat specifically designed for wakesurfing.
When you're learning how to wakesurf, you'll need to learn how to get up on a wakesurfing board, go in and out of waves behind a boat without falling, speed control, which foot is your front foot, and some common mistakes beginners make when wakesurfing. The driver has a huge role in helping the rider get up on a wakesurfing board.
This article let's you know what you need to get started wake surfing, what to look for in wakesurfing boats, the main differences between wakesurfing and wakeboarding, and tips on how to do it well.
What You Need To Get Started Wakesurfing
Before you can get started, you'll need a few things.
Boat specifically designed for wakesurfing and wakeboarding
Wake surf board that is suitable for the size of the rider
Surf rope
Life jacket
Wakesurfing Boat
To get the best waves for wakesurfing, you need a boat designed specifically for the sport.
A good wakesurfing boat has:
V drive hull design made to cut through the water instead of bouncing along the top
Propeller blades tucked safely under the boat
Speed control system to maximize fuel efficiency and improve rider performance
Wedge to shape the size of the wave creating a better ride
Integrated ballast system which adds more weight and displaces more water to create a bigger wave
Surf System design to help direct the flow of water to the side of the boat you're surfing from
Check out the 5 best wakeboarding and wakesurfing boats for this year.
The Difference Between Wakeboarding and Wakesurfing
The biggest difference between wakeboarding and wakesurfing is the lack of boots on a wakesurfing board. This means a wake surfer needs to have really good balance to stay on the board.
The rider needs to move around on the board until they find their balance enough to feel steady. Then they can try moving in and out of waves, aerial tricks, and shred!
Another difference is getting used to the natural flip of the board. Getting up on a wakesurfing board is different than wakeboarding because the rider has to get the wake board to flip up to their feet.
This allows the boat to hoist the rider out of the water. A wakeboarder has the board attached and only needs to worry about keeping the right position to get up on a wakeboard.
5 Steps To Get Up On A WakeSurfing Board
Start by sitting in the water with the rope in your hands, arms on top of your knees, heels pressed into the back edge of the board, and toes pointed towards the sky.
Once the boat gets into gear, and the line goes tight, start to dig your heels into the board. Let your knees draw into your chest and once the board has flipped up to your feet, stay in that crunched up position for a few seconds. Wait until your body is completely under the board, then stand up.
Once you are standing, put some weight against your heels as you lean against the rope. Then put your lead foot forward just a little bit. To determine which foot is your natural front foot, think about which foot you kick a ball. This is your back foot when wakesurfing.
When you notice you have some slack in the rope, then you might ready to throw the rope on the boat. It's a great sign for a beginner because it means you can surf the wave without relying on the rope for stability. But you can't just let go and have it whipping off the back of the boat.
There are 2 ways to control your speed when wakesurfing. The most common way is to put weight on your front foot to go forward and back foot to go back. You can also put some weight over your toes to press the edge of th eboard alongside the wave to bring you forward. To slow down, put weight evenly over your feet to fade back.
Tips for Driving a Boat For Wakesurfing
The driver of the boat needs to do a good job to help the rider get up on the board. The best way to drive the boat is with a 3 speed start.
The driver puts the boat into gear to get the rope tight
The driver slowly starts to accelerate until the board flips up
The driver then picks up speed for the rider
Beginner Wakesurfing Tips
These are some expert tips to use while wakesurfing as a beginner.
Move to the side of the boat to get used to the board and feel comfortable
Once you're comfortable and ready for more of a challenge, slowly move into the wave
Do a posture check by taking your back hand off the handle, put it on your lower back, and push forward. This gets your body in the right position before moving into the wave.
Have someone in the boat to manage the slack and keep pressure on the rope
When you're ready to throw the rope onto the boat, have someone ready to pull it in so you're not distracted
Common Mistakes Wakesurfing
There are a few mistakes many beginners make when learning to wakesurf. All of them will cause the rider to get a massive amount of water up their nose which is very unpleasant.
Pushing feet down onto the board. It's important to let the board just flip up naturally when the boat starts to move. Pushing your feet into the board will cause you to lose your balance and fall off.
Trying to pull yourself up on top of the board. This will offset your center of balance and make you fall.
Laying back in the water looking at the sky. When you're starting off, your position needs to be sitting in the water with the rope in your hands, arms on top of your knees, heels pressed into the back edge of the board, and toes pointed towards the sky.
Final Thoughts
Wakesurfing is a great watersport for Arizona lakes. With a boat designed for wakesurfing you can get the maximum wake. Look for a V drive hull designed to make a big wake, hidden propeller blades, speed control system, wedge, integrated ballast system, and a surf system designed for directing the flow of water. Boats made specifically for wakesurfing will make the whole experience a lot more fun. Try these beginner tips to get up on the wake surfing board with your dominant foot forward, and you'll be on your way to surfing a big wave!