Lake Martin Wakesurfing

Wakesurfing is a water sport where a surfer trails behind an inboard ski boat, surfing the wake of the boat without being attached to the boat with a rope or handle. The wake from the boat is very similar to the look and feel of an waves in the ocean.

After getting up on the wave by use of a tow rope, wakesurfers drop the rope and ride below the wave's peak. Wakesurfers use special boards, usually five feet or shorter.

Inboards are the only safe choice for wakesurfing. Boats such as I/O's and outboards are dangerous because the of the exposed prop. Operators of these boats place a ballast, such as water bags, in different sections of the boat in order to weigh the boat down and create a large wake. A larger wake can be obtained on one side of the boat if the weight is more on one side. Make sure not to exceed the manufacturer weight capacity of your boat. Water ballast is the safest kind of weight as it is neutrally buoyant.

Example of Safety Warning Label from a wakeboard:

Use of this product and participation in the sport involves inherrent risks of injury or death.
To reduce risks:

Wakesurfing close to a propeller may result in user striking a propellor which may cause injury or death. To reduce this risk, the wakesurfer must be used behind boats with an inboard drive only. Do not use wakesurfer behind stern drive boats, including boats powered by outboard, inboard/outboard or jet drive motors.
Carbon Monoxide (CO) poisoning from engine exhaust may cause injury or death. To reduce the risk of CO exposure, rider of wakesurfer must ride far enough behind the boat to be out of immediate exposure to exhaust. Rider should also limit the amount of time behind the boat. Headache, dizziness or nausea may be signs of excessive CO exposure. Do not sit, lay or kneel on the board whie boat is running. These activities may lead to excessive CO exposure which may cuase injury or death.
This product is designed for use on water only.
Wakesurf in control and do not use at speeds that exceed the skills of the rider. All riders should be towed at boat speeds that allow for reasonable control and stability.
Only start riding this bard from the water, while holding a tow rope. To avoid injury, rider and passengers in boat must not coil the rope in hands. Do not toss a rope and handle back to the rider to help them stay in the wake. Rider or passenger may be injured by these activities.
Do not use in shallow water or near shore, docks, pilings, swimmers or other watercraft.
Read Operator's Manual before use.

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