BEGINNER WAKESURF TRICKS

Now that you’ve built a solid foundation by learning not only how to master the wakesurf start but also how to stay with the wave without the aid of a towrope, it’s time to progress to your first tricks. Tige pro wakesurfer, Dominic Lagace, shows you how it’s done every step of the way and set the stage for learning more advanced moves.

HOW TO HANG FIVE WHILE WAKESURFING

With the basics down, it’s time to start learning some beginner wakesurfing tricks. First up? Learning to move your feet into different positions on the board without falling.

Moving Your Feet Without Falling

Start by slowly shifting your back foot slightly forward, then moving your front foot towards the nose by alternating between toes and heel, weighted one while pivoting the other forward. When you’re within reach, hang your toes over the nose, then work your way back. This simple movement will also help you adjust your stance when needed.

Balance On The Board

The key is to keep the majority of your weight on the back foot and stretching your front leg forward, not transferring weight onto it, to keep from digging the nose.

HOW TO DO A FLOATER WHILE WAKESURFING

A floater is a stylish trick where the rider crests the top of the wake close to the boat and appears to stall, or “float” dropping back into the pocket.

Getting Speed

Generate the necessary speed by drifting toward the back of the wake to create distance, then get your weight on your front foot to accelerate rapidly forward. As you get close, transfer a good portion of your weight onto your toes to drive the board up to the top of the wake.

Once there, keep weight on the forward foot to stay in position and keep pace with the boat. The goal is to hold this position for several seconds, before sliding back down the wake’s face.

HOW TO GET AIR WHILE WAKESURFING

Turn that same acceleration and motion into grabbing air off the wake.

Use Your Accelerator

Again, drift as far back on the wake as you’re comfortable, then transfer weight to your front foot to accelerate forward. As you drive the board up the lip, push down with your back foot while simultaneously lifting your front foot to let the nose of the board rise and launch off the lip of the wake.

Landing Back On The Board

As you reach the peak, lift your back foot so that the board begins to level out, before pushing gently on your front foot. Turning your lead shoulder to the boat should help position you to stay in the wake. Bend your knees to absorb the landing.

READY TO GET ON THE WATER?

With the steps from these instructions and the accompanying videos in your head, take what you’ve learned to the water and practice.

Just as you did when first learning to get up on your board, master the basics before moving on to more advanced maneuvers. Beginner wakesurf tricks, like moving your feet on the board to hang five or generating the speed and board control to do a floater and catch air, again give you the foundation to progress into more advanced tricks.

As always, don’t get frustrated. As the saying goes, practice makes perfect so if you fall just get back up and try again. Soon you’ll be shredding the wake with style.