Wakesurfing Tips??

[FacePlant]

Hey all. I have been wakeboarding for years, but as I get older the faceplants begin to hurt more and last longer. Therefore I will be looking to learn the far less bone jarring art of wakesurfing this year. Being as that I am a total newb (never wakesurfed ever), I am looking for advice for anything from what equipment to buy, to how to actually get started on the board.

I will be surfing behind my 2007 24Ve with factory (850lbs) ballast. I am hoping that will provide for a nice enough wake, especially since I usually have 4 or more people on board at all times. What do you all think?

[eks]

Here's one video you can watch ( www.youtube.com/watch?v=a6Pf5s7HGF0 )

welcome to the sport.

[larryueckert]

my boat surfs alot but i just learned more by watching the video

[talltigeguy]

There is a country song that says something like you can't have too much money or be too good looking...the same applies to weight for surfing.

OK, you can have too much, but I have yet to see too much. I have a custom made surf sack that I designed before Fly High came out with the Enzo surf sack. That holds about 1300 pounds. I find that the wake is much more manageable with at least 800 pounds of ballast and then a few people.

One issue is the weight of the rider. I need a much bigger wave at 230 pounds than my 130 pound wife does. I also need a bigger board than her.

THe video was a perfect introduction.

[Greg Mallek]

Hey Faceplant;
I have an 05 24V fully set up for surfing. I swapped my stock rear ballast tanks for custom Enzo sacks. I run approx. 1,400 lbs. in the rear port locker. As far as equipment goes, buy a good surf rope right away. The most dangerous times with the rope handle are in the learning stages, so buy a surf spacific rope. try to beg, steal, or borrow as many differant board styles before making a purchace. Decide weather you like the skim or surf style of riding, and then research from there. there are many quality boards available, such as Shred Stixx, Walker Project, Calibrated, and Inland.
Surfdad is a wealth of information if you want to get technical. He's always willing to help out with needed info. Have fun , and hope this helps out a bit.

[FacePlant]

Thanks for the replies so far guys! I had actually seen that video before and it is a good one. What size board would you all recommend for a 5'11" 200lb faceplanter??

[Greg Mallek]

I'm 5'8" and weigh 195. I usually ride a ShredStixx Ja Mako. It's 4'11" and 20" wide. Heres the link: http://www.shredstixx.com/JaMako.html
Call Jerry, He will steer you in the right direction. Tell him I told you to call.

[xpjim1]

weight is overrated. Tony from Tige was surfing the unweighted side of my Tige last October. The whitewater was beautiful.

Ok Weight is good. The waves are great when you add like Tall says . Over 800# and then a few people to move around

[Greg Mallek]

J.M.O. but I like to run a greater amount of weight so that I don't have to have everyone crammed into one corner. With my enzo sac, I get a consistant wave regardless of where my guests want to sit. Again J.M.O.

[Dan and Christy]

There is a country song that says something like you can't have too much money or be too good looking...the same applies to weight for surfing.

A little Daryle Singletary action there Tall

[chadster2]

try to beg, steal, or borrow as many differant board styles before making a purchace. YEP!
also... after a few times out, some one in the group will be ready to move up to yet "a different board"