"How to" Getting up on a Wakesurfer

Wake surfing is one of the easier towed sports to learn — the boat speed is slow, the board is big and forgiving, and there is no binding to fight. Almost everyone who struggles is struggling with the same thing: the board will not stay under their feet. Reuben walks through the fix in the video below, and it comes down to how tightly you tuck up before the boat pulls.

Reuben runs through getting up on a wakesurf board — 3 minutes 24 seconds.

What you need

• A wakesurf board suited to your weight and how much wave your boat makes. If you are not sure which one, our wakesurfer breakdown covers how the shapes differ.
• A surf rope — about 25 feet, with knots along it. The knots are what let you pull yourself in towards the front wave once you are riding. A ski or wakeboard rope will not do the job.
• A correctly rated life vest.
• An inboard boat with ballast or a wake system.

Setting the boat up

Two settings matter before anyone gets in the water.

• Wave size. If your boat has an adjustable wake system, start on the smaller wave. A big wave is harder to learn on, not easier.
• Speed. Around 10 mph.

The driver's job is slow, steady acceleration — not a hard pull. Keep the rider directly behind the boat as they come up.

Getting up, step by step

Get in the water and set your feet

Slide in with the board and get your feet onto it — about shoulder width apart, pressed against the edge of the board that is closest to you, with your back foot towards the back of the board and sitting close to that edge. The board ends up across your feet, perpendicular to the boat.

Take the handle with both hands

Arms straight, knees bent. Let the rope go tight rather than pulling yourself towards the boat.

Push your heels down

As the boat starts to move, press your heels down so the board flips up on edge and the face of it comes towards you.

Knees to chest, ankles to your backside

This is the part most people get wrong. Bring your knees into your chest and get your ankles as close to your backside as possible. Tucked up like that, the board sits under you and the boat can pull you straight out of the water — let it do the work.

Stay low, then stand up slowly

Hold the low squat while the boat pulls you up and the board starts to plane. Do not try to stand up too quickly — you will fall down. Straighten your legs gradually, and avoid leaning too far back or too far forward.

Find the wave and drop the rope

Once you are up and stable, use the knots to pull yourself in towards the front of the wave. When the wave is carrying you and the rope goes slack, drop it into the water.

Controlling your speed on the wave

Once the rope is gone, your feet do the throttle.

• To speed up — shift your weight onto your toes and lean slightly forward.
• To slow down — move your weight back onto your back foot.

For your stance, point your front hip towards the opposite corner of the boat and keep your shoulders square with the wake. That closes your stance off a little, which points the board directly into the path of the wave.

Common questions

How fast should the boat go for wake surfing?

About 10 mph. That is slow enough for the boat to push up a surfable wave and slow enough that you can climb onto the board without being dragged.

Which way do my feet go when I'm floating in the water?

Feet about shoulder width apart, pressed against the edge of the board closest to you — the rail nearest your body — with your back foot towards the back of the board and close to that edge. From there the board sits across your feet, perpendicular to the boat.

Why can't I get the board under me?

Almost always because your feet are too far out in front of you. Pull your ankles in as close to your backside as you can and let your knees come to your chest. The tighter you are tucked, the easier the board comes up as the boat takes up the slack.

How long should a wake surf rope be?

Around 25 feet, with knots along it. The knots let you pull yourself in towards the front of the wave once you are up and riding.

Do I need a special rope for wake surfing?

Yes. A surf rope is short, knotted and made to be dropped and picked up in the water. A ski or wakeboard rope is too long and has no knots to grip.

How do I speed up and slow down on the wave?

To speed up, shift your weight onto your toes and lean slightly forward. To slow down, move your weight back onto your back foot.

Can I wake surf behind any boat?

No. Wake surfing must only be done behind an inboard-powered boat, where the propeller sits under the hull. Never behind an outboard or a stern drive — you ride close to the back of the boat with no rope, and the propeller on those boats is exposed.

What life vest do I need in Australia?

A correctly rated vest, worn any time you are being towed. Life vests are a legal requirement for towed watersports in Australia and the rules vary by state and by waterway. Our state-by-state guide sets out what is required where you ride.

Related guides

• How to set up your wakesurfer — fin configurations, and the systems that hold the fins in.
• The Breakdown: picking the best wakesurfer for you
• Buyers guide: wakesurfers
• What life vest do I need? State-by-state guide

Shop the gear

• Wakesurfers
• Surf ropes and handles
• Life vests

Not sure what suits your boat and your weight? Talk to us — we ride this gear ourselves and we would rather point you at the right board than sell you the wrong one.