5 Wakeboarding Tricks You Can Try Today

Summer is finally here, and you’re ready to hit the water! So why wait another minute to try out new tricks and spins on your wakeboard?

Once you know the wakeboarding basics, there are plenty of fun tricks to try—tricks that are as easy to learn as they are to enjoy. Take a look below as we share five of our must-try picks for your next trip out.

Carve

Some tricks are all about skill and technique—while others are simply fun to do! This one falls firmly into the latter category, which makes it a great place to start on your next summer outing.

To carve, or surf, to create some spray, all you have to do is switch pressure from edge to edge—that is, from your toe-side edge to your heel-side edge, leaning back so as to push the water up and out from under your board.

Criss-cross

Crossing a wake for its own sake is pretty fun, but it can also be a foundational skill—learning how to do this will help you do a variety of tricks later on, so it’s a move worth picking up!

Once you’ve decided to cross a wake, simply turn your shoulders gently in the direction you want to go (you should still be facing the back of the boat, but slanted toward the left or the right). Move your tow rope handle inside, in that same direction, and then bend your knees to begin coasting along. Gently lean back as you go so that your board is able to skate over the wake, and in a few moments, you’ll be on the other side. Use it as a practical measure to set up your next trick at a better angle, or have some fun with it and criss-cross from side to side as you ride.

As a handy tip, don’t feel the need to move the rope too much. You’re not walking a dog or steering so much as you are letting the rope do the work—as long as you are properly positioned, simply holding the rope steady will let you achieve a smoother ride.

Ollie

If you’ve ever skateboarded, you probably already know this one—and even if not, it’s pretty easy to pick up! When you’ve built enough momentum, lean back on the tail of your board to the point that you’re basically bouncing, gently sliding your front foot up to “pop” the board up against the water. The result? A small (but spirited!) skip into the air that can be repeated several times in a row once you’ve got the hang of things.

Switch it up

Riding “switch,” or 180, is fun to do—and easier than it looks! To ride backwards, first bend toward your core to make it easier to turn. This means tucking in your elbows and bending your knees. Next, turn your hips in the direction you want to go (you can turn toward the boat or away from it—whichever feels most instinctive to you), while simultaneously putting weight on the back of your board. As you turn, your board will catch the wake and point itself in the opposite direction. The trick here is to anticipate that turn and switch the handle behind you as it happens.

Grabs

Grabbing your board adds an undeniable element of style to any trick, big or small. To grab your board as you carry out a trick such as an ollie, the key is to bring your board up to you by bending your knees against your chest while you are airborne. (Don’t bend yourself down toward the board, or else you may throw off your momentum.) If you do this, and avoid grabbing the board until you are out of the water, you will be able to grab the board’s edge with ease—and, of course, earn some style points along the way.

Ready to ride? With a few of these simple tricks, you’re well on your way to thrills on the water—plus, they can be used as foundations to master even more complicated moves down the line! Here’s to fun on (and behind) your Vortex all summer long.