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Wakesurfing is an awesome activity that combines the flow of surfing with the airtime and tricks of wakeboarding. If you're new to wakesurfing, it might feel like a challenging task to get up and locked into the wave. However, with a few tips and tricks, you can be shredding the endless wave in no time. In this guide, we'll teach you everything you need to know to get started with wakesurfing.

How to wakesurf

What You Need to Go Wakesurfing

To go wakesurfing, you'll need a boat that can create a surfable wake. Most boats with inboard engines and ballast tanks are suitable for wakesurfing. Additionally, you'll need a wakesurf board, which is a smaller and thicker version of a surfboard designed specifically for wakesurfing. 

You can purchase or rent a wakesurf board from a local surf or water sports shop. You'll also need a wakesurf rope, which is a shorter and thicker rope designed to help you get up and onto the board. Finally, you'll need an appropriately sized life jacket that is Coast Guard Approved and rated for your weight and size.

What to Wear Wakesurfing

When it comes to what to wear, a swimsuit is the obvious choice. However, if you're new to wakesurfing, you might want to consider wearing a wetsuit or rashguard. 

A wetsuit is a full-body suit made of neoprene material that provides warmth and protection from the water. A rashguard is a lightweight and breathable shirt that protects your skin from sunburn and abrasions. As a beginner, you'll likely spend more time in the water, so it's essential to stay warm and protected.

It's also important to choose a swimsuit that provides enough coverage to keep you comfortable under a life jacket. A one-piece swimsuit or a swimsuit with a rashguard top is a good option. Additionally, make sure to choose a properly fitting Coast Guard Approved life jacket that is rated for your weight and size. The life jacket will not only keep you afloat but also offer protection when you fall.

How to Wakesurf

To get started with wakesurfing, you'll need to position yourself in the water with the board in front of you and the rope in your hands. The board should be perpendicular to the boat with the nose facing towards the boat. When the boat starts moving, use the rope to pull yourself up and onto the board. Once you're up, you can let go of the rope and ride the wave. Keep your knees bent and your weight centered over the board. To turn, lean in the direction you want to go. You can also try out some tricks like jumps and spins once you become more comfortable.

When you're ready, you can drop the rope and shred the wave on your own. Keep in mind that it takes practice to become a skilled wakesurfer. Don't get discouraged if you fall off the board or can't stay up at first. With practice and determination, you'll improve and have a great time on the water.

How to Choose a Beginner Wakesurf Board?

Wakesurfing is a fun and exciting water activity, but as a beginner, it's essential to choose the right board to learn more efficiently and have fun. When selecting a beginner wakesurf board, stability and predictability are key factors to consider instead of speed and pop. 

We recommend using surf-shaped wakesurf boards with a larger surface area and a stable three-fin setup. This setup will provide you with a stable and forgiving platform to learn the basics. Additionally, beginner boards have less buoyancy, making them sit lower in the water for slower speeds and increased stability. 

Once you have gained more experience, you can progress to using more advanced boards with greater pop and nimbleness. 

How to Drive a Wakesurf Boat?

If you're going to drive a wakesurf boat, there are a few things you should know to make the experience safe and fun for everyone involved.

The "three-speed start" is a technique we recommend for pulling a wakesurfer. It involves gradually increasing the boat's speed to pull the rider up smoothly, rather than jerking them up suddenly and risking a fall. For more tips on setting up your wakesurf boat, check out our guide.

Here are the steps for performing a three-speed start:

1. Put the boat in gear to tighten the rope.

2. Slowly accelerate until you see the wakesurf board flip up to the rider's feet.

3. Once the board is in position, you can pick up speed to your desired surfing pace.

How to Get up When Wakesurfing

Getting up on a wakesurf board can be tricky, but with these steps, you'll be shredding waves in no time.

Start in the Water

Sit in the water with your heels resting on the edge of the wakesurf board, toes pointing up.

Get into Position

As the boat begins to pull you, bring your knees into your chest while digging in your heels. This will help you gain momentum.

Flip the Board

Keep your knees bent until the board flips up to your feet and your weight is over the board. This is the most important step in getting up on the board.

Stand Up

When you feel the board come up under your feet, slowly stand up by planting your heels on the board. Keep your knees slightly bent and your arms straight to help with balance.

Common Mistakes

Many beginners try too hard to push their feet into the board, which can cause them to lose balance. Others try to pull themselves up, which can also lead to falls. The best approach is to be patient, let the boat do the work, and stay in an athletic position with your knees bent. This way, you'll be able to stay balanced and enjoy the ride.

How to Drop the Rope when Wakesurfing?

Dropping the rope is a thrilling milestone for any wakesurfer. When you enter the pocket of the wave, the energy of the wave will keep you going, and you won’t need the rope anymore. However, there are some things to keep in mind to make this transition smooth and successful.

Posture is crucial to moving around the wave comfortably. Make sure you’re standing tall, with your back straight, so you can maneuver easily. Check your posture by putting your non-handle hand on your lower back and pushing forward.

It's a good idea to have someone on the boat manage the slack in the rope when you're first getting used to surfing without it. This will help prevent any sudden jerks if you run out of slack.

Once you're surfing confidently with a slack line, it's time to toss the rope. You can throw it back to the boat or across the other side of the wave to avoid getting tangled up in it. With these tips in mind, you'll be dropping the rope and surfing the wave like a pro in no time.

How to Control Your Speed and Stay in the Wave Wakesurfing

If you want to control your speed while wakesurfing, you need to change the way you weight your feet. Your front foot acts as the gas pedal. To speed up, put more pressure on your front foot. To slow down, shift more weight to your back foot. If you want to speed up, pressure your toes to press yourself into the wave. If you want to slow down, pressure your heels.

To maintain your speed and stay in the wave, turn up into the wave and then drop back down to pick up speed. If you're having trouble staying in the wave and you keep falling out the back, pop right back up into the wave after you drop down. If you feel like you're losing the wave, turn up the wave instead of down it. Once you master these movements, you'll be surfing like a pro in no time!.