Wakesurfing and Wakeboarding Styles and Gear

The world of boating sports is so large that almost anyone can find something to do that dovetails with their interests, abilities, and personality. That ranges from the quiet end of the spectrum, like personal-propulsion on a paddleboard, to the extreme adrenaline-producing end of the spectrum -- being speedily towed on a wakeboard.

Wakeboarding and its cousin wakesurfing have attracted many fans, much as snowboarding took off on what was once strictly ski slopes. Wakesurfing and wakeboarding styles and gear differ in significant ways, however.

Tow or No Tow?

Both wakesurfing and wakeboarding disciplines generally involve boats. Although there are some venues where a wakeboarder is towed by a cable that is not attached to a boat, most wakeboarders are towed from start to finish by a boat moving at a considerable speed.

In wakesurfing, the boarder surfs a wave that is created by a boat, without having an attached tow rope. They start by holding a tow rope briefly until they can release the rope and freely ride the boat wake. Momentum is slower than in wakeboarding, and the boat (usually with an inboard engine) used must sit deep in the water and create a fairly substantial wake.

Boards and Bindings

Both wakesurfing and wakeboarding styles involve boards, and while both are used to do tricks and assorted maneuvers, they’re not the same. Wakesurfing boards are like a short surfboard and have a thicker profile than skim boards, with fins and a wide or shaped tail. Users generally position most of their weight near the corner that is on the edge of the wake.

Wakeboards have foot bindings (also called boots) that must fit the user’s feet comfortably. Boards vary in length depending on the weight of the users, with longer and wider boards being more buoyant and offering more stability. Boards with a pronounced rocker are preferred for tricks and jumps while those with less rocker enhance speed.

And Then There’s Wakeskating

Similar to wakeboarding, wakeskating is a type of wakeboarding discipline that uses a similar board but without bindings on the board. The wakeskating board has a slip-resistant surface coating and many users also wear flat- and thin-soled skate-style shoes for additional grip as well as foot protection.

If you take up any of these disciplines, you should put safety foremost, wear the appropriate PFD and other gear, and ease into learning the basics before you start mastering more advanced or extreme maneuvers.