What are the key questions?
Like newspaper headlines, we use key questions to help you find the information that is relevant to where you are in your learning journey. Here are the key questions in this section.
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What is wakesurfing? Wakesurfing is a sport that involves a boat, a wakesurf rope, a wakesurf board, and a rider. The rider on a wakesurf board rides the wave that a boat creates.
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What do you need for wakesurfing? Wakesurfing typically requires a US Coast Guard approved life jacket (and possibly other safety equipment), a boat that creates a large wake (typically a wake-specific boat), a wakesurf board, and a mainline and handle that the rider holds to get pulled out of the water and catch the wave.
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How might you learn to wakesurf? We compiled several videos that we hope will be helpful for you as you prepare for your first time and as you progress in wakesurfing. When you are new to a sport, you will learn more safely and quickly if you access appropriate training resources and get training from a professional.
The sections below expand on the summary questions above.
(Feel free to let us know about other helpful resources: we want to continue learning, too.)
What is wakesurfing?
Wakesurfing is a fun, approachable sport that involves a rider behind a boat designed to create a large wake (i.e., wave) that the wake surfer rides. Wakesurfing is similar to--but much easier than--surfing ocean waves. The boat pulls the rider out of the water, requiring far less energy than ocean surfing, and the boat driver maintains a speed between about 9 and 13 MPH, much slower than wakeboarding. The rider can continue to hold the handle that is attached to the boat, giving the rider additional stability while learning the sport. And once the wake surfer learns to control the wakesurf board, the wake surfer can let go of the rope and ride the wave, as long as the boat wake creates a wave with enough energy to push the rider along.
The sport, in our opinion, is incredibly fun and much more approachable than the faster sport of wakeboarding.
How might you learn to wakesurf?
We offer several videos to get you started, but you will likely find many additional resources. When you are new to a sport, you will learn more safely and quickly if you access appropriate training resources and get training from a professional. (If you find additional resources, please let us know if your time allows: we are eager to learn, too, and may also post to this page what you found to help others.)