How to Enjoy the Sport of Wakesurfing Responsibly

With a seemingly endless variety of water sports to try, there is almost certainly one out there to suit every interest, ability level, and budget. If you think you’d enjoy surfing but don’t live near enough to a coast to give it a try, you may like wakesurfing. Similar to waterskiing, wakesurfing involves riding a wakesurf board while being pulled by a boat.

Wakesurfing is fun and easy to learn, and it offers several benefits. First, in contrast to regular ocean surfing, you don’t need to claim a territory or wait in line to claim a wave. Instead, the boat ahead of you makes waves that are all yours to ride. Furthermore, you can ride the wave for as long as you want; since the waves are created by the wake of the boat, they don’t expire upon crashing against the shore like in traditional ocean surfing.

Perhaps the most important benefit of wakesurfing is that the chances of injury are smaller compared with waterskiing. This is because the optimal speed of the boat is about 10 miles per hour, much slower than when waterskiing. In addition, your feet are not attached to any bindings, so you won’t be pulled under the water by the rope and potentially strain the ligaments in your legs if you fall off.

Tips for a fun and successful wakesurfing outing include using the right boat and right board. A wake boat will generate the best and biggest waves. When it comes to a wakesurfing board, find one that is right for your skill level; a wide range of beginner’s boards are readily available. In addition, you’ll need a wakesurf-specific tow rope.

To start wakesurfing, lie back in the water with your feet on top of the board. As the boat starts to accelerate, dig your heels into the board and pull yourself up. Keep your feet shoulder-width apart, with your back foot placed about six to 18 inches from the back of the board.

As with any sport, there are rules for how to enjoy wakesurfing responsibly. Being a responsible wake surfer means you’re not only focused on having a good time but also mindful and respectful of other boaters, swimmers, and homeowners in the area.

The first rule of responsible wakesurfing is to keep repetitive passes to a minimum. Everyone likes to enjoy peaceful and protected shorelines, and driving a boat back and forth in the same area repetitively can cause wear and damage to the shore and docks. So once you’ve explored one area for a pass or two, go find another place to make another run. You can always return to a favorite location later.

Another rule of responsible wakesurfing is to stay at least 200 feet from the shoreline while enjoying your waves. No one likes it when boaters, jet skiers, or wake surfers invade their personal space, so be respectful of homeowners and their lakefront property when you go out. Keeping your distance helps minimize any adverse effects to the shoreline from the wake your boat creates. The added benefit of wakesurfing further out from shore is that wakesurfing works better in deeper water.

Of course, you should also be mindful of the noise you are making and keep music at a reasonable volume, especially in the early mornings and late evenings. Practicing these common courtesies while wakesurfing will avoid problems and help keep waterways friendly to wake surfers.