Wakeboarding is a water sport similar to waterskiing, but with the key difference that it’s practised using a board akin to a snowboard. To get started, you’ll need a boat to tow you via a cable system, which you’ll grip with your hands.
If you want to make the most of good weather by enjoying outdoor sports, remember there’s nothing better than adventure sports on the water, where you can cool off now and then. Depending on factors like weather conditions, your weight and height, the speed you’re comfortable with, or the boat’s specifications, you’ll typically ride at speeds between 29 and 38 km/h.
Now that you have a basic idea of what wakeboarding is, it’s time to give it a go! How? Already have some experience? If so, you’re in the right place. Many people see this sport as a holiday activity, but others love it so much they want to practise it year-round. If that’s you, don’t waste time—pick a wakeboarding company to refine your skills.
Water sports like this offer endless variations, with countless tricks to master using the right board and gear. You can try moves like these:
Grabs: The first thing you’ll learn when starting to jump—but don’t be fooled, it’s trickier than it looks. There are various jumps, each with its own difficulty and height. Grabs include styles like the Indy (grabbing the middle of the board from behind), the Nosegrab (grabbing the board’s nose—right hand for goofy riders, left for regulars), and the Roastbeef, Palmer, Chicken Salad, or Canadian Bacon, each with unique grips.
Surface Tricks: These refer to slides performed on the water with your wakeboard. Techniques range from the No Hander (a beginner trick where you place the handle between your knees and free your hands) to the Backside Butterslide (a 90-degree board turn sliding on the wave’s crest). Other tricks include the Slide 360 (a full rotation off the wave) or the Surf Carve, Surface (180 and 360), and Nothing Butterslide.
Spins: Every skilled rider should master spins of varying degrees, whether on their axis or beyond. Like other tricks, these stunts have variations: a frontside spin faces the boat, while a backside spin turns away. The Top Blind is a backside spin without switching hands. For a Shifty, rotate the board 90 degrees and return it. Practice is key to nailing these!
Wakeboarding is an adventure sport that engages all your senses and demands full-body coordination.
To learn more tricks, check out our article Wakeboarding Tricks II. You’ll find details on advanced manoeuvres and essential safety measures.
