What is Wakeboarding?

Many people have heard of wakeboarding but do they really know what it is? Most people think of water skiing and while that is somewhat correct, there are definitely clear differences between the two.

Wakeboarding is when you ride the wake of a speed boat on the surface of the water. It was inspired by water skiing and snowboarding with some surfing techniques thrown in for good measure. Wakeboarding is a highly creative sport with new maneuvers and techniques often coming about by accident, thanks to the carefree and expressive nature of the participants.

Wakeboarding Tricks:

Wakeboards can be up to around 150cm (59 in.) in length and as short as 117cm (46 in.). There are various types of wakeboards available including the three stage rocker style and the continuous rocker style.

Liquid Force, Ronix, Gator Boards, Surge Wakeboards, CWB and Hyperlite are some of the very popular wakeboard manufacturers.

Wakeboarding involves being towed behind a boat at up to 25 miles per hour. Experienced wakeboarders go faster than this. Wakeboarding is like snowboarding in that a single board is used rather than two skis as in water skiing. You stand on it as you would a snowboard or skateboard, in the sideways position.

Wakeboarding allows the rider to perform some spectacular jumps and tricks which would otherwise not be possible with lanky skis. Yes, it can be dangerous. However beginners will start at slow speeds, so that crashes and stacks are minimized, and if they do occur, are not particularly dangerous or hurtful.

Wakeboarding is an awesome extreme sport that everyone should try at least once!