Beginner's guide to wakeboarding

Boat

The method most people think of first. This is where you are towed by boat or jet-ski, using its wake to surf on. You can do it at sea or on lakes and rivers – although we’d recommend sticking to calm waters while you find your feet.

Pros

• You have more control as the boat will go as fast or as slow as you want
• You can ask to practice a particular move as many times as you need

Cons

• Can be expensive (unless it's included as part of a wakeboarding activity holiday!)
• Sometimes tricky to arrange

Cable

Overhead cables work on the same principle as ski lifts. There are two main types, full-length and tower cables. Full-length cables are usedby several boarders at a time, tow lines move at a continuous speed. Just grab one at the beginning and off you go. If you fall, you need to go back to the beginning and start again. Tower cables have asingle cable running between two or more towers. You will be the only wakeboarder using the cable, and the tow line will be operated by an instructor (who will take you back and forth at variable speeds). If you fall, the line stops and waits for you.

Pros

• More affordable than boat or jet ski hire
• Ideal when intending to progress to a boat tow

Cons

• Less control
• Having to swim back to the beginning can get tiring!

• Choose a beginner’s style wakeboard, it's easier to control. Ensure that your board has a continuous rocker – if you look at it side-on, it will have a continuous curve from tip to tail - this will help make the ride smoother.
• The easiest way to control the board is to place your back binding towards the rear of the board as far as you can – it should be parallel with the back edge, so you can press directly on the rear fin. You should have your feet shoulder-width apart. Your front binding should slightly point towards the front of the board.
• Once in the water and ready to begin, sit back as if in a chair, with your arms tucked in and your knees between your elbows. When you start to feel the pull of the rope, keep the edge of the board above the water and stay crouched down until you are fully out of the water. Rushing to stand will probably cause you to lose your balance, so straighten your legs gradually.
• As you are getting yourself up out of the water, most of your weight should be on your front foot.
• Once you are standing, guide your front foot forward and put the majority of your weight on your back foot (and the rear fin).
• To steer, lean into your heels or toes while pulling the rope away from the boat. Don’t try and turn the board itself, or you will end up in the water. Alternating pressure on your heels and toes will help the board carve through the water and make turns. Getting these movements fluid takes a bit of practice, so keep at it.

• Expect to get wet. You’ll probably end up in the water dozens of times while you learn – and it can hurt if you hit it at speed. It’s all part of learning, so go with the flow.
• Don’t rush. Take your time and stay relaxed, even if it takes a while to master getting to your feet.
• Don’t pull on the rope. Let it naturally pull you to your feet without resistance, otherwise, you’ll take a dip in the water.
• Use a shorter tow rope. A rope between 30 and 50 feet makes the ride easier as you are in the narrower part of the wake.
• Look straight ahead. Keep the handle low and close to your hip, and don’t look at your board or you are likely to lose your balance.

So, what’s it like wakeboarding on a Neilson activity holiday? First of all, our beachclubs have British Water ski and Wakeboard ‘accredited ski-school’ status, so you know you are getting optimum tuition with safety guaranteed.

Our expert instructors will get you wakeboarding like a pro in no time. You’ll start by learning the moves on the safety of dry land before graduating to using the bar. This is a pole that sticks out from the side of the boat which offers more stability than a tow rope.

Once you are confident with the bar, it’s time to move on to the rope, where you can perfect you technique and start to learn how to ride the wake. From then on, it’s up to you how far you want to take it!