Learning How to Wakesurf

Since wake boats were invented some decades ago, one of the most popular ways to use them has been wakesurfing. Wakesurfing is similar to both wakeboarding, its predecessor in the watersports world, and actual surfing. 

Like wakeboarding, the surfer maintains hold of a towing rope behind a wake boat that generates large wakes off its stern. The wakesurfer rides on a surfboard and surfs the wakes as the boat pulls them along. It’s a very fun activity and it’s easy for beginners to learn.

JC Sports in Seneca is your South Carolina wake boat dealer, so we’ve provided you with this primer on how to start wakesurfing.

Gear Up

You’ll want to have the essentials for wakesurfing before you start: a wake boat (obviously!), a good and sturdy towing rope with a padded handle, ballast to weigh down the stern, bright-colored signal flags, a wetsuit, a personal flotation device (PFD or life jacket) and a wakeboard that is suitable for your height. Beginner wakesurf boards will make your life easier, so make sure that when you go shopping for one, you look for boards designed for novices.

Are You Regular or Goofy?

No, this isn’t a question about how silly you are. Putting your left foot forward means you have a “regular” stance on the board, while putting your right foot forward is a “goofy” stance. To determine which one you are, you can run a short distance and then stop quickly. The foot you put out to stop yourself is your dominant foot and that’s the one you should put forward on the board. You can also consider which foot you’re more comfortable kicking a soccer ball with. Knowing this will help you to have the right stance and find your center of balance on the board.

Getting Up

The hardest part about starting to wakesurf, once you’ve got the boat in the water and everything oriented as it should be, is getting settled on the board and ready to be pulled up. You’ll likely start in the water (hence why a wetsuit is a good idea — it keeps you warmer!) and have your feet placed 18” apart on the board with the back foot at the tail of the board and the front foot in the middle. 

It’s Surfing Time

Let the boat operator know they can activate the throttle when you’re ready and hang onto that towing rope handle. The speed of the boat will gently pull you up to a full standing position and you can extend your body as it feels safe to do so. You can then find your balance as the tail of the board gets on plane and the front of the board pushes against the wakes. Speeding up will involve placing more weight on the front foot, while slowing down means placing more weight on your rear foot. Use gentle pressure to turn the board as needed. Don’t drop the towing rope until you’ve gotten comfortable with the process after lots of practice.

Trying to find wake boats for sale in South Carolina? Visit our Seneca, SC, dealership today to view our inventory of new and used wake boats for sale. Our finance department can assist you with funding your purchase if you need it. JC Sports proudly serves the cities of Greenville and Anderson, SC.