What is wakesurfing and a little history

What is wakesurfing and a little history -

Unlce R "Still Going Strong" in the slot

Wakesurfing is a sport in which a surfer rides behind an inboard skiboat surfing the boat's wake without need to hold a rope except to catch the wake. The wake from the boat is similar to a wave you might find at a beach. Typically, 2-4'. After getting up on the wave surfers discard the rope and are riding the wave.

Inboards are the only safe choice for this sport. Due to to the fact ourboards and I/O motors have the prop exposed they can not be used for wakesurfing. You also need balast to add weight to the boat and increase the wake size. The best ballast systems fill holding tanks with water. Some hillbillies use lead and other weight but they typically end up at the bottom of the lake if their boat takes on water. Not a good idea. Check out the manufactures/boat page to see some of the best choices for boats to wakesurf behind.

Here is a great link to a Youtube vid on how to wakesurf, type of boat you need, safety issues, etc... This is really a good way to learn the basics, how it is done, etc... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a6Pf5s7HGF0

Wakesurfing has its roots vested in organic ocean wave surfing. Some of my brothers friends went to Padre Island in South Tejas one day and it was flat (again). They had access to a boat and thier boards were still on their racks. They went home and took out their boat and realized they could ride behind the boat with a rope and ride the wave similar to a surf session. I think the first time I did it was with ALO and BroBrad in Laguna Madre with a few redfish and sharks. Now I have been quaratined inland to Tennessee and God has send me a new way to enjoy surfing on flat water. Smaller wave but like they say it is not always the size of the wave but how long you can ride it. If you "love long time" you love wakesurfing.

Real or what I would call "Purest" wakesurfing has only developed within the past 6-8 years.

A variation of WakeSurfing is "Taker Surfing". Some guys north of the Padre Island Surfing grounds found that you could ride the wake of supertankers in a similar way. However, as you may have figured, you have to have a supertanker, fast flats boat, and a lot of patience. I would like to try this someday whey they bring my next load of fuel up the Tennesse river. I have also heard of this in the great lakes but never witnessed. Here is a site to check out tanker surfing - ehttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C5PsF7y1Jdkditor keeping cool

Boat and hull technology has evolved and made it possible for inboard ski boats to add balast and create a rideable wake without the use of a rope. Much of this was developed due to the increasing popularity of wakeboarding. Wakeboarders were not looking for a smaller wake as in the past with traditional slalom and three event contest skiing. Wakeboarders needed more wake, steep transitions and smooth water to land on. BIG AIR HAS BECOME KING and thanks to that wakesurfing has evolved.

The real beauty of wakesurfing is that it allows you a limitless wave that you can ride forever. I have never been a great surfer and I doubt I will ever be a great wakesurfer, however, I can tell you on my first real good wakesurf ride I "surfed" more than I have in a lifetime of ocean riding. I am still working on hitting the masters within a few years a winning some free brew. I will keep you informed on the blogosphere page.

This is my personal history of wakesurfing. If you have anything to add please send it to the contact email at the bottom of every page or go to the contact us page.

Bro Brad - The purest somewhere south of the boarder