Wakeboarding and wakesurfing have quite a bit in common, including their similar names! And although these two sports have similarities, there are many aspects that are different. We talk about the similarities and differences between wakeboarding and wakesurfing below.
Similarities Between Wakeboarding and Wakesurfing
The similarities between these two sports don’t stop at their name. From the boat and equipment requirements to the physical strength needed for balance, people already familiar with one of these watersports will notice many of the characteristics they have in common.
Requirements
Both wakeboarding and wakesurfing need a large body of water where a wake boat has plenty of room to be driven around. With both sports, you’ll want a wake boat that is designed to create plenty of wake, or waves behind the boat. Wakeboarders and wakesurfers are both pulled from a boat’s tower by a tow rope, with one end featuring a handle that gives the rider a comfortable grip and the other end securely attached to the tower’s tow point. In both sports riders use the boat’s wake to allow them to ride and perform tricks.
For both wakeboarding and wakesurfing riders will want to be sure that they are wearing the proper attire and safety gear. Riders commonly wear bathing suits since they will be getting in the water, but may also wear wet or dry suits if they prefer. No matter which sport you’re deciding to try, you’ll also need to wear a life jacket while you’re out on the water.
Stance on the Board
Wakeboarding and wakesurfing both require boards the rider stands on in the water. The boards need to be able to easily glide over the water. When it comes to how the rider stands on the board, it is the same for both sports. The rider will stand perpendicular on the board with one foot in front and one in back. To decide which foot to place where, you just need to figure out which foot is your dominant foot and place it at the back of the board as it will help you the most with balance.
PRO TIP
A quick way to figure out which is your dominant foot is to ask yourself, “Which foot would I use to kick a soccer ball?”. The answer to that question will likely reveal your dominant foot.
If your left foot is in front, it is considered regular stance since most people stand like this, but if your right foot is in front, your stance is referred to as goofy.
Physical Ability
When it comes to physical ability needed, wakeboarding and wakesurfing are pretty similar. In order to stand up on the board, you’ll need core and leg strength, as well as a strong back. Balance is also an important factor in both sports so you’ll spend more time on your board and less time in the water. You will also need upper body strength since you will have to hold onto the tow rope.
Differences Between Wakeboarding and Wakesurfing
While wakeboarding and wakesurfing have some things in common, there are many aspects where they differ. Keep reading to find out what makes these two water sports different.
Board Sizes and Design
Although the boards serve the same purpose in these sports, their shapes, sizes, binding requirements, and how you determine what you need are vastly different. To choose a wakeboard, you should look at the rider’s weight to see how long your wakeboard should be. For a wakesurf board, there are no set guidelines for choosing your board length, although the average length is 4-5 feet. Both boards have rockers, but wakeboards go more in depth than wakesurf boards. Wakeboards can have a continuous rocker, 3-stage rocker, or hybrid rocker to change the way you ride, whereas wakesurf boards can have less rocker for a smooth, quick feel or more rocker to slow you down and allow you to feel every wave.
The biggest difference between the two boards is the bindings (or lack thereof). Wakeboards require bindings and boots that attach a rider’s feet to the board. Wakesurf boards, however, do not have bindings and rely simply on the rider’s feet gripping the board.
Getting Up and Riding the Board
Getting up on a wakeboard versus a wakesurf board is very different. For wakeboarding, you will be laying in the water with your feet in the bindings of your board. You should keep your arms straight as you hold onto the tow line with your knees bent and close to your chest. Be sure to relax your body and lean back slightly. The front edge of the board should be lined up with the tow line. To get up while wakesurfing, you should lean back slightly in the water, holding onto the tow rope with your feet laying loosely on the board. Push your heels into the board to pop it up vertically, and keep you feet shoulder width apart. Once you are standing on the board, you’ll drop the tow line and surf the wake until the waves break.
Boat Type
The type of boat you want to use for these sports is slightly different. For wakeboarding, you want an inboard or outboard boat with a large wake tower made of stainless steel or aluminum to raise the tow line 6 to 7 feet higher than the surface of the water so the rider can do aerial tricks. With wakesurfing, ski boats and jet boats are commonly used. Many people use heavy objects to weigh the boats down to create a larger wake when wakesurfing. Inboard boats with propellers under the boat are used in wakesurfing because it is unsafe for riders if the propeller was on the back since the rider would be so close to the back of the boat.
Boat Speed
Wakeboarding speeds are faster than wakesurfing speeds. Wakeboard boat speeds average from 18 to 23 miles per hour. The speed for wakeboarding really depends on the skill level of the rider. If you’re a beginner, you will want to ride at lower speeds before you switch to higher speeds. Boat speed for wakesurfing is significantly less than wakeboarding. A wakesurf boat will run about 10 to 12 miles per hour. This low speed makes getting up on the board easier, and the close distance to the boat makes it easier for the rider and the boat driver to communicate.
Tow Ropes
For both sports, you will need a tow rope, but the type of tow rope you’ll need differs dramatically between wakeboarding and wakesurfing. A wakeboarder holds onto the tow rope throughout the entire ride so he or she can do tricks and keep riding. When you wakesurf, you hold onto the tow rope until you get up on the board. Then you release the rope and ride the wake as if you were surfing natural waves. Wakeboard ropes are long and thin without stretch. Wakesurfing ropes are thicker and shorter than wakeboard ropes to make the ride easier for the rider. Some wakesurfing ropes will have knots along the length of the rope so the rider can choose how much rope they want to use.
Transitioning from Wakesurfing to Wakeboarding
If you’ve already been wakesurfing and you want to get into wakeboarding, there are a few things you should keep in mind. The physical part of riding is similar, but you’ll need slightly more upper body and arm strength since you’ll be holding onto the tow rope the entire ride instead of letting go once you’re up on the water.
Another physical aspect that wakesurfers will have to get used to when learning to wakeboard is how it feels to fall. When you fall while you’re wakesurfing, the impact won’t be incredibly hard since you’re riding at a slower speed. With wakeboarding, you’ll have a harder impact due to the higher speeds.
Speaking of speeds, that’s another major factor when it comes to transitioning from wakesurfing to wakeboarding. You’ll be riding at much higher speeds, so you should spend some time getting comfortable with that feeling before you attempt any tricks.
Ready to transition from wakesurfing to wakeboarding? Look through our wakeboard towers to get started!
Wondering how wakeboarding compares to other board sports? Check out our guide to wakeboarding vs. other board sports.
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