Wakesurfing - The Next Wave

Surfing on a smaller scale on a wave that never breaks

By Jake Thomas

Towsports have been around the waterways now for the better part of a century. More recently, an old and well-respected discipline has metamorphosized into a new breed of towsport that only utilizes the towing component part of the time. This new discipline combines the “tow” in wakeboarding with the free riding “sport” of surfing. If you haven’t guessed it by now, I’m talking about wakesurfing.

Quite simply, it’s surfing on a smaller scale on a wave that never breaks. Riders start like a wakeboarder with a handle and a very short line that positions them on the wave between four and eight feet back. Every setup has its own sweet spot, but boat speed usually averages around 10 mph; too fast and the rider gets pushed back, too slow and the wave breaks or the rider is hitting the boat. Once in the sweet spot, the rider can let go of the line and surf this never-ending wave. With a good spotter having pulled in the line, some fancy rope throwing can keep you going even if you get pushed back behind the wave.

Read the full article