What is Wakeboarding? History, Equipment, Rules and Tips

What is Wakeboarding? Wakeboard is a variation of Surf. For the practice of sport, a snowboard-like board with connected boots is used.

The person must stand on the board and at the same time hold on to a cable attached to a moving boat. With this, the boat forms waves and thus becomes possible to perform maneuvers in the air.

The sport can be practiced in rivers, seas or large lakes.

wakeboarding history

For a long time, the favorite sport of beachgoers was surfing. The first Wakeboard was developed at least 20 years ago, by the North American Tonu Finn, in California.

In the period, called "Skurfing", it consisted only of surfers being "towed" by boats on days with few waves. “Skurfing” became a worldwide success and its boards were manufactured in Brazil by Roberto Pereira Leite.

The American Herb O’Brien and the Hawaiian Eric Perez created the first Wakeboard boards, which were better developed than the existing ones. In Brazil, the “skufer” arrived in 1987. Wakeboard, in 1990, through the current president of the Brazilian Association of Wakeboard, Roberto Pereira Leite.

The sport was made official in Brazil in 1997, with the creation of the ABW foundation, which today is responsible for carrying out the national circuit.

Wakeboard Equipment

There are four basic pieces of equipment for practicing wakeboarding. These being:

• Board – Pay attention to the chosen type, as a good board facilitates stability for maneuvers and rest;
• Boots – which are the connection between the rider and the board;
• Helmet – This equipment is essential, mainly because it is an extreme sport. The helmet must fit perfectly;
• Life Vest – Always wear a life vest. In addition to facilitating its return to the surface, it facilitates its location (if it has a striking color).

wakeboard rules

On the website of Brazilian Wakeboard Association own the rule book to participate in competitions, ranging from safety to equipment care. It is important to highlight that the Wakeboarder (practicing the sport) must sign a Term of Responsibility acknowledging the nature of the sport and the risks involved in its practice. In addition, the athlete must be registered. Registration can be done on the Association's website.

Wakeboarding Tips

Some tips can be fundamental for the practice of Wakeboard. For example:

• Adjusting the feet - The feet must be well adjusted to the board. Not too loose or tight. This is effective for balance;
• Maintaining Speed ​​– The boat driver should accelerate steadily to the athlete's ideal speed. The speed must be constant;
• Position the board – Already in the water, the board must be in a vertical position and the lower side facing the stern, leaving a little more than half out of the water. The knees must be flexed and the arms relaxed, while holding the handle of the cable;
• Letting the Boat Lead – Don't push back with your feet. Legs should be tucked in and arms straight until the board comes out of the water;
• Define which foot to put in front – Before entering the water, define which one is to stand in front of the board. That foot should maintain balance;
• Adjust Weight – Your weight should be shifted between your toes and heels to get a feel for how the board holds.