What caught on as a rough-water activity for wakeboarders and water skiers, wakesurfing has undeniably driven new participants and wake boat buyers to experience riding the energy of a wave. The deep history of passionate ocean surfers speaks to just how drawn we humans are to the push that wave energy can create. It would be a tough stance to argue that anything that involves gliding across the surface of the water is not one of the branches of the surfing family tree. From traditional slalom skiing to flatwater skimboarding to modern-day foiling, nobody forgets their first time using one of mother nature’s most valuable resources as the medium that surely brought a smile to their face.
So how exactly does the tree trunk of these various disciplines relate to the heaviest newly grown branch? How do we compare surfing with wakesurfing? Is it similar?
More fun? Easier? Do the skills cross over? While it would appear at first glance that the answers would be obvious, a deeper dive with elite athletes in each, or in some cases both, disciplines reveals more to the story.
Tatiana Weston-Webb: Even Olympic Medalists Wait Their Turn
Growing up in Kauai, Tatina Weston-Webb, “Tati,” lived in the optimal surfing environment longing for nothing else. However, “in ocean surfing, the wave doesn’t always come to you, or you are not next in the line-up” she admits. Tati finds that when those elements finally do line up and it is your turn, the wave itself isn’t always perfect.
While taking her skills to wakesurfing she realized, “you can count on the wave doing pretty much the exact same thing” to which she found the benefit of being able to try new maneuvers without putting too much stock in capitalizing on the one of few waves caught in a day.
The “infinite wave” as she calls it, wakesurfing did not initially mirror her surfing experience from a technique standpoint. Thinking that she would charge the wave and make the turns she would in the ocean, Tati needed just a few tips to make the right adjustments which she believes will allow people of all abilities to enjoy the close cousin to surfing.
“Wakesurfing is just so much more accessible to people anywhere that doesn’t have an ocean,” Tati shares as one of the coolest things she sees about wakesurfing . Tati, who is sponsored by Body Glove, and others, continued, “Anyone can try wakesurfing, it is a great workout and you have a great time with your friends and family.” High praise from the 2024 Olympic SilverMedalist and 3rd overall finisher on the Women’s Championship Tour.
Alyssa Spencer: From Ocean Surfing to Wakesurfing
Alyssa Spencer, currently ranked #16 in the Championship Tour, shared her insights into transitioning from the vast, unpredictable ocean to the controlled environment of wakesurfing.”I have been a surfer my whole life, only been introduced to wakesurfing a couple times in the past few years,” she said. “I began with ocean surfing; it is my profession, so I surf in the ocean almost every day, but am super new to wakesurfing behind a boat.”
Alyssa noted the distinct differences between ocean surfing and wakesurfing. “It (wakesurfing) has such a different feel to surfing in the ocean because the power of the wave comes from the boat. I was expecting a bit of a challenge the first few waves because learning how to get up and get going was new for me. Once I got the hang of it, it was so fun which I was definitely expecting!” she explained.
“The atmosphere on the boat was my favorite part of the experience! Everything from riding the wave, to having music blaring, and your friends to cheer you on as you surf is all pretty cool. It makes the experience of a day on the lake a lot of fun.”
Mirroring Tati’s experience, Alyssa emphasized the predictable nature of wakesurfing, highlighting, “Wake surfing is a much more controlled environment; the wave is pretty similar every time so you can expect what you will get. In the ocean, it is less controlled because you are dealing with mother nature, and you have to paddle into your waves. I felt like surfing on the wake was a challenge for me just because it feels so different to the ocean. The more time you put into something, the easier it gets.”
When asked if Alyssa found wakesurfing to be beneficial for her ocean surfing she responded, “I actually went straight from wakesurfing one day, into a surf competition the next day and won the competition! So, I think it helped get me get warmed up to surf in small waves. I think having the controlled environment in wakesurfing could give you the opportunity to get repetitions of learning new maneuvers and airs that could be translated into the ocean.”
Reflecting on the broader experience, she added, “The wake surfing and boating experience is more of an all-day experience, while ocean surfing can be an hour or two. If you don’t have access to the ocean, wakesurfing is a great alternative to learning how to surf and getting a similar adrenaline rush. Both are easily accessible depending on where you are located.”
When asked what might surprise ocean surfers about their first time wakesurfing, Alyssa offered an enlightening response.
“The biggest thing that surprised me was how long the wave was; I was able to ride for 1-2 minutes! In the ocean, your rides aren’t ever much longer than 10-20 seconds. So, it’s pretty cool to ride such a long wave and also a custom wave. On the Volvo Penta Forward Drive boats, the Water Sports Control lets surfers personalize settings and create custom waves, so experiencing the ability to create my own perfect wave was something I could never experience when ocean surfing.”
Noah Flegel: Blending a Life on Water
Noah Flegel, an accomplished wakeboarder and many-time world wakesurf and foil champion shared his journey and insights from growing up on the water. “I’ve been on the water my whole life. It was like coming out of the womb and water was a part of it all. My first memories were my parents pushing me into waves and being on a boat at 3 years old,” he recalled. His introduction to surfing was naturally intertwined with family beach days and the convenience of having the intercoastal as his backyard.
Known as the single most versatile towed watersports athlete on the planet, Noah’s transition to wakesurfing began early, driven by the desire to continuously improve his board skills. “We would tow behind my friend’s dinghy, long-line on a surfboard. Every day it felt like I was getting better, learning airs, carving harder.” The time spent up on the board mastering the nuances of board control is what Noah credits his ability to translate his skills to the other disciplines.
He noted the differences between wakesurfing and ocean surfing, particularly in terms of ease and consistency. “For sure wakesurfing is easier. Consistent wave, endless attempts. Have a coach right there to help you. With surfing, you are at the mercy of mother nature instead.”
Despite the controlled environment of wakesurfing, Noah still appreciates the unique pleasures of ocean surfing. “Walking out into the waves is a simple pleasure of life, a blissful experience with mother nature.”
Sean Silvera: Lake Life Advocate
Four-time Pro Wakesurf Tour Winner, Sean Silvera, has a unique perspective with his background in skateboarding, ocean surfing, flow riding, and wakesurfing.
“I started surfing at 13 years old with my first surfboard and later got into flow riding at 17-18 years old. I started wakesurfing 10 years later,” he recounted. His move to Florida was driven by the desire for consistent wakesurfing access, something he found challenging in California.
Sean finds that there are technical differences between the disciplines. “The tricks felt the same, but the balance is different. Manipulating your weight forward and back was different. It actually took a while to break old habits but having the board control helped me a ton.”
When it comes to teaching someone who has never ocean surfed or wake surfed, Sean sees value in both experiences. “Teaching someone I would do both! You are going to have good time either way. I would probably push someone into a few mellow waves in an ocean surfing set first, then head out for a boat session since learning a deep water start can take a few tries.”
Sean finds that the “lake life” culture that wake surfing is encompassed by is the reason he keeps coming back to it. “Boating with people who love the same things that you do provides for lifelong friendships.”
Elite athlete, or first-timer, all can agree that time on the ocean and time on the boat are both an experience that we should all feel so lucky to have. Add in the exhilaration and challenge of surfing a wave made by nature or a boat and you have two activities that drive passionate life decisions like living near the ocean or buying that new wakesurf boat. Making memories and learning a skill crosses over to another fun activity is what keeps everyone coming back.
Moving Forward
In the video above, check out what professional surfers and wakesurfers, like Parker Payne, Alyssa Spencer and Tatiana Weston-Webb have to say about comparing wakesurfing to ocean surfing, and about their experiences riding behind boats powered by Volvo Penta’s Forward Drive. Know that ocean access is available to these three, yet they still enjoy wakesurfing. Learn what these professionals have to say.
