Wakesurfing is our favorite way to spend a sunny day out on the lake. On the water, you don’t want to have a care in the world. So, before you hit the waves, make sure that you have taken all the necessary safety precautions. To make it easy, here are 4 safety tips before you wakesurf.
Get the Right Wakesurfing Gear
Make sure you are using the right boat. Not all boats are created equal and the right boat will not only give you a better wake it will be much safer. Specifically, wakesurfing boats don’t have an exposed propeller like many others making it much safer to be behind while you are surfing. Don’t stop at the boat! The tow rope for wakesurfing is very different than the one used in other water sports. Not only that, the size and shape of the wakesurf board that you choose can greatly impact the control you have while surfing.
Wear a Life Jacket or PFD
Even if you are an experienced shredder, you should wear a PFD (Personal Flotation Device) when surfing. Better safe than sorry. Make sure that you choose a PFD that fits properly to keep you secure when you fall.
Expect to Fall – And Have Fun!
Many trepidacious newbies are terrified to fall when they first get on a board only to find out that falling isn’t that bad. Our advice: Embrace it! Falling is part of the fun – don’t fight it. In fact, it is safest if you allow yourself to fall gently instead of jumping when you feel yourself losing your balance.
Practice Good Driving Habits
A good wakesurfer is only as good as their support team. Make sure the operator of the boat, and all those aboard, are looking out for you and following the best practices for drivers. Here are just a couple of guidelines to keep in mind:
- Always have a spotter (someone keeping an eye on the person in the water). The boat driver needs to have eyes up front so someone needs to keep an eye on the surfer.
- Familiarize yourself with common gestures. A thumb up or down can indicate whether the surfer wants to go faster or slower. A pat on the head is a request to return to the dock, and both hands above the head with fingers touching tell the spotter that the rider is okay after a fall.
- Be mindful of the surroundings. Always be sure that you choose an open area to surf and keep in mind that wakesurfing comes with a bigger wake than other water sports so be sure you aren’t too close to shore or you could cause damage to your surroundings.
- After a surfer takes a fall, make sure to keep the surfer on the driver’s side of the boat and in your line of sight at all times when circling back to pick them up.
Conclusion
Hitting the waves might be nerve-wracking at first but once you get out there and realize that there is nothing to fear you’ll love it! If you follow our simple tips for staying safe while wakesurfing, you are sure to have the time of your life.
