Important Things to Know About Wakeboarding

Feb 15
14:32

2011

John Klein

John Klein

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The most important thing to remember is to only ever wakesurf behind inboard boats. Outboard and I/O boats have exposed propellers, and are extremely dangerous to wakesurfers. They should never be used.

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New riders that haven’t yet developed a preference should ride on the side of the boat that the other members of the crew are. That way there won’t be any need to shift the ballast. Knowledge of one’s foot dominance is important to developing a good stance on the board.

While ballasting the boat for a wakesurfing outing,Important Things to Know About Wakeboarding Articles be sure to avoid exceeding the weight guidelines established for it. The United States Coast Guard requires that boats under twenty feet long be given maximum weight ratings. Exceeding the maximum weight rating is both illegal and foolish. Moreover, be sure that no more than a quarter of the overall ballast weight is solid. Of course, gear, passengers and animals count towards this weight limit. The majority of the ballast should come from sacks of water, unless the boat has internal ballast.

Also, keep in mind that the wakes of other boats can quickly overwhelm your own wake. Likewise, don’t create large waves near boat ramps or piers. Find an area on the lake that won’t disrupt the activities of other people.

There are many other rules to be learned, and it’s important to learn alongside people who have experience with the sport. Keep in mind that there are important pieces of equipment to have on hand, such as a bilge pump. Of course, always remember that life vests need to be worn at all times to ensure safety.

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