Wakesurfers

Choosing the Right Wakesurfer Shape

A wakesurfer is a short surf or skim board ridden on the wave thrown off the back of an inboard wake boat. The rider takes a deep-water start holding a rope, the boat pulls them up into the pocket of the wave, and once there the rider drops the rope and surfs the wake under its own push. For safety this is done behind inboard boats only — never behind an outboard or stern-drive, where the propeller sits exposed at the back of the boat. Boards fall into three broad shapes. Surf-style boards carry more volume and a more defined fin setup, so they drive down the line and carve like a small surfboard — the easiest shapes to learn on and the most stable. Skim-style boards are flatter and looser with minimal fins, built to spin, slide and trick, and they reward a rider who already has the wave wired. Hybrids blend the two: the drive of a surf board with some of the looseness of a skim, which makes them a versatile all-round choice. Sizing works differently to wakeboarding. A wakesurfer has far more surface area than a wakeboard or ski, so most people can get up on most lengths — board choice is driven less by height and weight and more by skill level, wake size and the style of riding you want. Bigger riders and smaller wakes generally call for more volume. If your boat doesn't throw a big enough wave, ballast bags add weight to deepen and lengthen it, and a wake shaper clamped to the hull redirects water to clean up the wave's shape and add push. Brands here include Ronix, Liquid Force, Hyperlite and Connelly, spanning beginner boards through to advanced carbon shapes. Browse the full range online or visit the Brisbane store.