|
Wake surfing: My new love |
|
|
|
|
Written by Katie Robison
|
|
Friday, 30 May 2008 |
Last summer I was introduced to what has now become my favorite sport — wake surfing. I loved the water long before I was introduced to wake surfing, but now I just can’t seem to get enough.
Wake surfing is a mix between wake boarding and surfing. Similar to wakeboarding, you start off behind the boat in the water (The experts can start from the edge of the boat and never actually get wet). However, unlike wakeboarding, your feet are not bound to anything and the rope is much shorter.
“One of the main differences between [wake] surfing and [wake] boarding is the speed of the boat,” said boat expert Emily Gammell. “You’ll only go about 10-13 mph whereas in wakeboarding you’ll go 17-25 mph.”
Once you are up you are essentially surfing behind the boat.
Yet, the thrill hasn’t even begun. The ultimate goal in wake surfing is to find that sweet spot in the wake so that you are able to throw the rope into the boat while still maintaining speed behind it. You are surfing, hands free, in the middle of a lake behind a boat.
One of the tricks to turn a wake into a wave big enough to surf on is to weigh down the back of the boat with people and maintain a low speed. The wake becomes your surfing wave, and you can carve and surf behind the boat until you tire out.
“I prefer wake surfing to wake boarding because it hurts less when you fall,” said Gammell. “The wipe out isn’t nearly as bad.”
It’s very important that only inboard boats (meaning the prop is under the boat) attempt wake surfing. It is illegal for any other boat to tow a wake surfer.
If Gammell can teach me to wake surf, she can teach you too. Here are some tips before you try wake surfing.
1. Balance. This is the trick to wake surfing.
2. Positioning. Your back foot is going to be on the stomp pad and your front foot a little bit past the middle of the board. Do not center your body. Hang out more toward the tail and always keep your nose out of the water.
3. Speed control. Your front foot is used for speed control. If you push it on the board with pressure you’ll go faster, if you lighten up, slower. Keep steady weight on your back foot.
4. The sweet spot. Your goal is to find the sweet spot (where you are moving the same speed as the boat) so you can throw the rope in and just surf behind the boat.
5. Standing up. The hardest part is getting up with no bindings. If you can get up, you’ll do fine.
“When I’m surfing behind the boat the real world seems to disappear, said Gammell. “My worries and stresses get washed away by the rip curl and I’m stress free.” |
No Comments.
Discuss this item on the forums. (0 posts) |
|
 |
| Currently |
| 39° |
| Partly Cloudy |
|
|
