Wakeboarding for Beginners

What is Wakeboarding?

If you take surfing, water skiing, and snowboarding, put them all in a blender, and turn it on, you get wakeboarding! Riders stand sideways on a board, hold onto a rope, and get pulled across the surface of the water by a boat going up to 48km per  hour.

While that might sound crazy, it gives riders the feeling of surfing on an endless wave. You skim across the surface of the water and can perform all kinds of tricks and jumps over the wake.

What you Will Need to Get Started

- A wakeboard suitable to your weight and height, check these out...

- Bindings and boots. Bindings and boots keep your feet securely connected to the wakeboard. Have a look at these options

- Life Jacket. Wakeboarding is an extreme sport so always remember - safety first!.. here are some options

- A Tow rope with Handle..right here

While these are the wakeboarding essentials, it also doesn’t hurt to have a wakeboarding helmet (just in case) and a wetsuit  for colder conditions.

Although it seems straightforward enough, there’s a wide variety of options for each piece of gear. For example, adjustable boots and bindings are great if you want to share the board between multiple people, but they won’t be as strong as set boots and bindings made specifically to fit your feet.

It’s important to do your research about each piece of equipment to find what best fits your needs, goals, and budget. There’s nothing more frustrating than trying to use gear that’s not right for your capabilities, and it can hinder your ability to learn or stick with it.

How to Choose the Right Size Wakeboard

Wakeboards come in many shapes and sizes. Longer wakeboards have more buoyancy, so typically heavier riders need longer wakeboards.

Here’s a quick wakeboard size chart to give you a general idea about the length of wakeboard you’ll need:

While this might give you an idea of what to look for, it’s just a general sizing chart. 

For beginners, it’s also best to choose a wakeboard with a continuous rocker or double-ended design with both ends upturned. This will allow you to ride in either direction and make it easier to determine the feel you like best.

Time to Get Started

Attach The Rope:

This step is pretty simple. Just attach your tow rope to the boat, with the handle in the water. Make sure you have a strong tow rope for safety. For beginners, it’s best to keep the rope relatively short so you get more upward pull from the boat, helping you get up and stay up while skimming over the water.  

Set Your Wakeboard:

It’s time to strap in. Put your feet into the boots, and make sure the bindings are properly secured to the board. Your feet should be shoulder-width apart and turned slightly outward. Make sure you do this on the back of the boat, so you can easily jump out. You don’t want to hop your way back from the bow! (That can be embarrassing). Dont forget a lifejacket

Line Up:

Float on your back just behind the boat. The board should be between you and the boat, sitting horizontally in the water. Hold the tow rope in your hands with your arms out straight. Your arms should be on either side of your knees, and your knees should be slightly bent. Hold this position and let the driver know you’re ready to go!

Stand Up:

Once you feel the boat start pulling, let your knees bend even more toward your chest and keep your arms as straight as possible. Keep the board horizontal as it starts to plane on the water. As the boat pulls you out of the water, rotate the board so your dominant foot goes to the back. It’s a good idea to start slowly to reduce the risk of falling.

It’s common for beginners to want to straighten their legs once they stand up. While this is fine after you get a feel for it, it’s not suggested for beginners. It’ll only knock you out of position. It’s best for newbies to hold a crouched position until they’re completely out of the water and standing on the wakeboard.

Now Hold On and Enjoy:

Now that you’re skimming on top of the water, stay slightly leaned back with the front tip of the wakeboard out of the water. If the front tip dips below the surface, you’ll quickly follow.

Once you get the feel for standing on the board, try leaning side to side (toe side and heel side) to turn the board within the wake of the boat. As you become more comfortable, you can experiment with touching the wake and eventually riding over it. From there, it’s up to you. Don’t forget to have fun!