Welcome to the World of Wake Skating: Another Hybrid Adventure

Have wake, will travel. It seems to be a guiding principle of modern water sports--especially since so many of them are propelled by the hydro-power of a boat and the waves it leaves behind.

Wake skating is just one more addition to the world of water sports--like its cousins (wakeboarding, wake surfing, etc.) it takes place behind a boat and follows the same basic idea. It's a novelty, however, in that the skater isn't attached to their board in any way--while they hold onto a rope, they must count on grip and balance alone to maintain their position.

If you've ever tried wake skating, you already know--it can be harder than it looks! Take a look at today's blog to see the benefits of this hybrid sport (as well as a few tips on how to perfect your stance on the water).

The growth of a pastime

Alliance Magazine called the 2000's "the decade of wake skating"--and we have to agree! The first decade of the 21st century was dominated by skateboarding--in 2001, more kids rode skateboards than participated in baseball! -so it's only natural that the trend carried onto the water, too. That's essentially what wake skating is, anyway: skateboarding for the water!

Of course, more generally, wake skating began because of our curiosity and interest in trying new things on the water. It's harder to pinpoint the origins of more modern sports than, say, wakeboarding itself, because they come as natural "next steps" for boarders all over the world. It's likely (and easy to imagine) that boarders were ditching the wakeboard binding in pursuit of a freer, riskier ride simultaneously, from coast to coast, with no definite inventor.

What do you need?

Looking for ways to enjoy this fun twist on wakeboarding? While it's not completely necessary, at least while you're first starting out, it's definitely wise to pick up a dedicated wake skating board to ensure easy, comfortable rides on the water. You can wear special wake skating shoes to ensure a better grip--they don't attach to the board, but make it a little easier to maintain your position while performing quick, slippery moves.

Added challenge--and adrenaline

Why do we love wake skating? Quite simply, it adds a new element of adventure to your ride. While we'll never tire of the classic thrill of wakeboarding or wake surfing, wake skating brings an on-land activity to the water and forces you to master aerial twists and tricks without losing your board (or balance) from right under you! While there's a learning curve, just as is the case with any water sport, some practice and a few water wipeouts are all that stand in between you and a successful wake skating adventure.

Interested in starting your own wake skating experience? Just like we're there for your wakeboarding and wake surfing fun, you can count on your Vortex for creating the perfect wake for skating the water... and all the other new, hybrid sports that are sure to follow!