What is Wakesurfing?

A hot and growing sport - not to be confused with surfing, or wakeboarding, wakesurfing is riding a surfboard behind a boat, while being propelled by the wake of the boat and nothing else. No rope. The feeling is amazing -- for many it is the closest thing to surfing in the ocean they will ever experience. In many ways wakesurfing is like surfing in the ocean, but on much smaller waves (unless of course you are from FL or the Gulf Coast) Ha ha!

While paddling out into the open ocean and surfing a natural wave is one of the most amazing feelings someone can experience, wakesurfing has many advantages.

1. Surfing is primarily a "solo" sport - selfish in some ways -- you may just go out with one or two friends - but you are not typically too interactive -- you are all concentrating on positioning for the next wave. In some crowded locations it is easy to get separated from your buddies for an hour when you catch a wave and end up a few 100 yards down the shore..
2. Wakesurfing on the other hand, is a very "social" sport -- everyone is together in the boat with the rider just 10-15 ft away -- able to interact with friends in the boat. Those in the boat can laugh, talk, and make fun of the rider - all while enjoying their favorite drink and snacks.
3. No sand EVERYWHERE - need i say more?
4. No dealing with crowds and struggling to find a parking spot.
5. No wax in your chest hair -- most wakesurfers have an EVA foam top for grip.
6. Long rides -- theoretically, in wakesurfing you can ride until the boat runs out of gas -- most of us ride until our legs become tired - 3-4 minute runs are fairly common.

The downsides of wakesurfing include:

1. The cost of the boat -- most wakeboard boats start around $40K and can cost as much as $90K. Plus maintenance, storage, etc.
2. The cost of Gas -- with $3/gallon it is getting more expensive
3. The waves are fairly small compared to the ocean. True surfers would call most wakesuring waves at about knee high or lower. Hawaiians would probably say they are ankle high.
4. It is addicting - and once you are hooked you'll want to buy and try several different boards - the boards run about $400 and up.