How To Wake Surf
It is not necessary to use 2 boats to create a surf wave. It wastes fuel and time and will likely be frowned upon by the local authorities. See Chapter 2 on Ballast. It is not necessary to constantly turn the boat. Drive the boat as you would normally.
Now that you have a board and rope, and have your boat properly ballasted, it's time to start wakesurfing.
There are 2 ways to get up on your board. You can start with your feet on the board or laying on it.
Feet on the board.
Advantages: Easier, unless you have a large surfboard. Faster to get up.
Disadvantages: NoneLaying on the board
Advantages: None, unless you have a large surfboard and then you may have to start this way.
Disadvantages: May be exposed to Carbon Monoxide as the boat is accelerating (unless you have Fresh Air Exhaust ™ installed).
You start in the water on the side of the boat on which you intend to surf.
With a skimboard style board,
put your feet on the board like you were on a wakeboard or wakeskate. Place the board in front of you with both feet upon the board. Use one hand to hold the board to your feet and the other to hold the rope. When you are ready, signal the driver to accelerate slowly. As soon as the boat starts moving, you can let go of the board and hold the handle with both hands. The force of the moving water will hold the board firmly against your feet. Now stand slowly. CLICK HERE to watch the video.With a surfboard style board,
Put your feet on the board.
Put the board in front of you. Lay back and put your feet on top of the board; the board will be floating on top of the water. Hold the rope and then signal the driver when you are ready. As soon as the boat start moving, push down with the heels of your feet so the board flips up flat against your feet. Once the board is flat under your feet, stand slowly.Laying on the board.
Face the board forward and lay upon it on your stomach. Hold the rope in your hands and when you are ready, have the driver accelerate the boat slowly. Once moving, hold the edges of the board with both hands, move to your feet, and stand slowly.
Now that you are standing, you want to practice moving your feet around on the board. If you move forward on the board, the board will accelerate. If you move rearward on the board, it will slow down. Generally, you want to put more weight on the inside edge of the board, the side closest to the wave. This will cause the inside edge (rail) of the surfboard to cut into the wave.
Your goal is to be balanced on the board and then find the zone of the wave that will push the board forward. Staying in the zone takes practice and very little shift in weight or position.
Be patient; unless you are an experienced surfer, you will not likely "catch the wave" your first try. Most people ride several times before they catch the wave. Just hang on to the handle and have fun. Cut back and forth, ride up and down the face of the wave, attempt side slides, 180s and 360s. There is a lot you can do on a surf board while holding the handle (lineriding); of course, you also want to practice catching the wave (freeriding).
Most beginners will catch the wave, accelerate rapidly towards the boat, and then slow down too much. That is OK because it is important that you know how to slow down. Once you feel comfortable and your rope is consistently slack, gently toss the rope into the boat or to the opposite side of the wave. At this point you will probably loose the wave and sink (most beginners do). Your initial surfing will probably consist of short rides. With practice you can get to the point where you can surf until someone in the boat makes you quit so they can have a ride. CLICK HERE to see an example of accelerating and slowing down.
For most riders, it is easier to ride with your dominate leg forward(regular or goofy), facing the wave (toe side). Whether you first learn toe side, or heel side, it is good practice to ride both ways. On a twin tipped board, while holding the handle, move off into the flat water and quickly turn the board. On a surfboard, turn your body by moving your feet around. Once facing the other way, move back into the face of the wave and practice surfing.
It is also good practice to ride on the opposite side of the wave. If you ride regular, try riding goofy. At first it will feel very goofy but it is good balance and coordination practice.
SPEED
If you have Perfect Pass,
set it to 9.8 mph. If you don't have Perfect Pass, hope somone gets you one
for your birthday. A handheld GPS can also tell you your speed accurately. Your
boat's speedometers are not likely correct. If you don't have an accurate means
of measuring speed, try about 2200 rpm to 2400 rpm.
If you are too slow, the wake will turn foamy. Note when you are slowing down at what speed the wave goes from crisp to foamy. Generally, you want to be just slightly faster than when the wave goes from crisp to foamy. Also, a slower speed tends to build a short, tall wave whereas a higher speed builds a longer, shorter wave.
After you are able to surf, you can move on to surf tricks. Please refer to Chapter 6, "Wakesurf Trick List".