Wake surfing is a rapidly growing water sport that is fun and engaging. It is an excellent alternative to waterboarding with its slower speeds that are beginner-friendly. Before you can enjoy the surfing experience, you’ll need to choose the right wakesurf board. The different types of wake surfboards available come in varying shapes, sizes, and styles. Finding the right board can be confusing and overwhelming for beginners and even experienced surfers. Here is an overview of choosing a wakesurf board that is ideal for your needs.

What Is Wakesurfing?

Wakesurfing is a water sport where a surfer rides a boat’s wake by trailing behind the boat without a direct connection to the vessel. The wake refers to endless waves of displaced water the boat leaves behind when moving. As a wake surfer, you must first get up on the wake using a tow rope. After picking up enough speed, you can drop the rope and surf the steep face beneath the wave’s peak. Having the proper wake surfing board is crucial for a successful ride.

Which Wakesurf Board Size Do You Need?

Wake surfing boards range between 4.5 feet to 5.5 feet, with some models available in small, medium, and large sizes. Finding the appropriately sized wakesurf board will depend on the wake size and surfer’s weight. Smaller boards are ideal for small surfers and riding large wakes. The smaller boards also pick up greater speed than larger ones as they are lighter and have less friction.

Larger-sized wakesurf boards offer greater buoyancy and balance when moving, so they’re ideal for newcomers to the sport. You can start off practicing on the stable larger board and work your way up to enjoying the faster smaller board.

Which Wakesurf Board Shape or Style Do You Need?

Wake surfboards are available in various shapes to accommodate different levels of skill and riding styles. The three main wakesurf board styles include: 

The Surf Shape Wakesurf Board

The surf-style wakesurf board is similar to surf shortboards with its directional shape and occasional square or fishtail. It is available in various configurations and materials and is the biggest in size and total volume. The available fin options allow you to tighten up the on-water feel and create enough speed and power to pump the wake.

These boards are the easiest to learn on because they offer great buoyancy and stability. If you’re a seasoned surfer, you get to enjoy the board’s easy maneuverability during high-speed surfing. You can also perform huge slashes and aerials with relative ease.

The Skim Shape Wakesurf Board

The skim shape wake surfing board is smaller and wider in nature with less buoyancy but great for pulling off skate-inspired tricks. It has fewer hull features and smaller fins that create a slippery feeling when on water. The skimboard tends to spin, pop, flip, and slide, unlike the surf-style board that sticks to its path by tracking up and down the wake. If you’re seeking to showboat by doing 360s or push the limit of your skills, then the skim-style wakesurf board is ideal for you.

The Hybrid Shape Wakesurf Board

The hybrid-style wake surfing board is a mix between the surf and skimboards. The board offers the power and stability of the surfboard with the playfulness and agility of the skimboard. With a hybrid board, you get to practice flips and tricks even when still new to the water sport.

Which Is the Right Wakesurf Rail?

The wakesurf rails are the edges of your board that determine the amount of water flowing past the board. The choice of rails affects how the board moves and turns in the water. The edges respond differently when you lean the board into the water. Thin rails slice through the water and offer a quick and excellent response to subtle changes in posture. Boards with thick rails need more edge pressure and are slow at turning, giving the surfer more control.

The wakesurf boards can be soft, rigid, or blended. Soft or full rails are rounded, making them easy to handle by newbie surfers. You can expect a more stable or consistent feel and smoother ride with the full rails. Hard rails have a sharp or straight edge that allows the board to cut into the water, giving it more speed and responsiveness. Blended rails incorporate both the rounded and straight features. You get to enjoy the board’s stable feel, quicker acceleration, and faster turns.

Choose Miami Ski Nautique

When choosing a wakesurf board, consider the size, shape, and type of rail perfect for you. Wakesurfing also requires a host of other accessories to allow you to have fun and fully hone your skills. At Miami Ski Nautique, we offer a variety of wake surfboards and accessories to help you have a fantastic surfing experience. Check out the collections at our one-stop pro shop.