Wakesurfing - Aquaskier

Wakesurfing is a sport where the rider rides a boat’s wake, without being directly pulled by the boat. A tow rope is typically used initially, but once the rider has gotten up on the wake, they will drop the rope and ride the steep face below the wave’s peak. In this regard, wakesurfing is similar to traditional (wave) surfing.

Wavesurfers do not use standard surfboards; there are special boards available for wakesurfing.

The boat

Using a boat where the propeller is under the boat instead of behind it is safer, as it decreases the risk of the surfer getting into contact with the propeller.
Ballast can be used to weigh the boat down in order to create an extra large wake. (A boat that is deeper in the water creates a bigger wake.) Where the ballast is placed is important; a majority of the weight should be near the back, on the side where the surfer is.

Performing tricks

Many wakesurfers perform various tricks during their ride, including a vast array inspired by other sports – such as skating, snowboarding and (wave) surfing.

Here are a few examples of popular tricks:

Name	What is it?
Air	When the surfer launches off he lip with board into the air, and then lands back on the wake (either toe-side or heel-side). The “180 air” is when the surfer does an air and, while in the air, does an 180 spin, and then lands with a switch stance.
Cut back	When the surfer bashes off the lip of the wake with the board.
Fire hydrant	When the surfer places one hand on the board and takes her front foot off the board.
Floating	The the surfer and the board floats on top of the wake.
Hang 5	When the surfer extends the toe-part of one foot over the front of the board. (Hang 5 = five toes extended.)
Hang 10	When the surfer extends the toe-part of both feet over the front of the board. (Hang 10 = ten toes extended.)
Lip slide	Similar to floating, but the board is sideways.
Paddle back in	When the surfer goes to the extreme rear of the wake, throws down on the board, and paddles back into the power zone. Alternatively, the surfer pulls the outside rail of the board to bring it back into the power zone after being at the extreme rear of the wake.
Pumping	Turning up and down the face of the wake. This can be used to increase the speed.
Rail grab	When the surfer grabs the board’s rail white the board is on the wake. A rail grab can be done with one or both hands.
Rail grab in the air, also known as Grab air	The “one-hand grab air” is when the surfer grabs one rail of the board while the board is in the air (above the wake). The “double grab air” is when the surfer grabs both rails of the board while the board is in the air (above the wake).
Spin	There are many types of spins, such as: The “180 spin” is when the surfer and the board spins 180 degrees on the wake. The “360 spin” is when the surfer and the board spins 360 degrees on the wake. The “180 shove it” is when the surfer spins the board (and not himself) 180 degrees under his feet and lands with the board backwards. The “360 shove it” is when the surfer spins the board (and not himself) 360 degrees under her feet and lands with the board in its original position. The “540 spin” is when the surfer spins continuously 1.5 times (360 degrees + 180 degrees = 540 degrees) and lands riding switch stance forward. The “720 spin” is when the surfer spins continuously 2 times (360 degrees + 360 degrees = 720 degrees) and lands riding the board in its original position. The “900 spin” is when the surfer spins continuously 2.5 times (360 degrees + 360 degrees + 180 degrees = 900 degrees) and lands riding switch stance forward. A “Big Spin” is when the surfer spins his body 180 degrees while spinning the board 360 degrees.
Tubing it	When the surfer throws down on the board and slides back into the tube until covered up (preferably quite deep), before popping out and standing up on the board again.
Spray	When the surfer is gouging into the face of the wake, to make the water underneath “explode” and cause a spray.
Stalling	Applying pressure to the back foot. This can be used to decrease speed.