Tricks or Treat: Halloween-Inspired On-the-Water Moves

Trick or treat?

When you’re searching for ways to amp up your on-the-water adventure this Halloween, the answer is both. You get to try out new tricks, which are a true treat to display for friends and family on board.

In honor of Halloween right around the corner, we’ve put together a list of our favorite spooky, season-inspired moves to try on your next aquatic excursion. Read on and find your favorite!

Brains, brains…

We all know the classic zombie walk: a rotting, disheveled monster walking limp, arms forward, in search of brains. Even Halloween posterchild Frankenstein walks like this—and you can, too! Sort of. The feet-apart, arms-forward position of waterskiing offers the perfect opportunity to ski like a monster. Un-flex your arms (but only to the point that you can still maintain control of the handle!) to give them a relaxed, zombie-like feel, then enjoy as your Vortex carries you through the water.

Ghostly mist

We all love misty scenes and fog machines at Halloween—they add to the spooky, ghostly feel we crave at this time of year. Why not reproduce this atmosphere on the water?

The solution is simple—it’s all in your carve! Once you catch the wake, dig in ever so slightly with your back heel to upturn the lip of your board and watch as you’re surrounded by a cool, satisfying spray. It’s a fun trick any time of year, but especially enjoyable when you’re seeking out spooky thrills on the water.

Dr. Jekyll, Mr. Hyde

There are few stories quite as spooky as that of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, the man (and his alter ego personality) who has been captivating audiences for more than 100 years. In the story, the doctor and his alter ego are about as different as two people can be—when one turns into the other, it’s as if he does a complete 180.

For a trick inspired by this classically scary story, why not try your own 180 behind your Vortex?

Mastering the 180 while wakeboarding is a must-do—not only is it thrilling to enjoy the swift, about-face move on board, but it offers a sturdy foundation to an abundance of other tricks, too. You can do it by starting on the surface—though more complex aerials can certainly follow! Tuck in your elbows, crouch your knees and turn your hip so that it moves the whole board in a 180-degree direction. You can then switch your hand to grasp the handle behind your back—before you know it, you’re doing it, and are on your way to a great many even more complex moves.

Costume carvin’

While it’s not technically a trick, you can have even more fun on the water this Halloween by slipping into a costume before you ride! Whether you dress up as the quintessential “surfer dude” or don an old-fashioned sailor look, keep it simple so that nothing overly elaborate (neckwear, loose clothes, etc.) get in the way of a safe, enjoyable ride. 

We hope that these tricks add an extra element of fun to your Halloween cruising. (Now, all that’s left to do is find a spot warm enough to ward off the fall-time chill…)