wakeskate VS wakesurf ?

[justason]

Hello Forum.
I'm pretty new to anything other that tubing. My kids have only recently evolved to wakeboarding, and now with a boat capable of making a wake we're looking at our next sport option.

It's not really clear to me the difference between a wakesurf and a wakeskate. I see the difference in the boards and understand the surfing part. is a wake skate the same principal or do you always use the rope vs freestyle on a surf ?

 

[Julian]

Pretty sure wakeskating always uses a rope and I think you do it further back. Surfing is done both with and without rope typically right behind the boat where the largest wave is.

 

[Glassman]

A wakeskate is ridden just like a wakeboard, but you have no bindings securing you to the board. Think of it as a skateboard on water.

I personally prefer the wakeskate due to having had both my knees wrecked from various different sports and subsequent operations. There is a slight learning curve with respect to keeping the board underfoot as you begin take-off, but that is usually resolved in a few attempts for someone who has wakeboarded.

 

[Glassman]

oh, and if you attempt to get air on a wakeskate you either get launched or you have to reach down and grab the skate.

Me? I get launched!

 

[jcyamaharider]

That is on the must try list this year!!! Wakeskating, not getting launched.

 

[buckbuck]

My son from a few years ago.

 

[txav8r]

Somehow @buckbuck , I don't think your kiddo is going to get his feet back on that board in this run!!! LOL I love his expression though...and I really like the pics you put out. Someone in the family is a damn good photographer!

 

[justason]

which is gooder-er ?? I like the idea of ditchin the rope. it sounds like eith

A wakeskate is ridden just like a wakeboard, but you have no bindings securing you to the board. Think of it as a skateboard on water.

I personally prefer the wakeskate due to having had both my knees wrecked from various different sports and subsequent operations. There is a slight learning curve with respect to keeping the board underfoot as you begin take-off, but that is usually resolved in a few attempts for someone who has wakeboarded.

based on this and @buckbuck image, a wakeskate uses the entire area behind the boat, I'd guess at a speed <wakeboard speed. a wakesurf is simply surfing the wake...

For board designs, it appears that a wakeskate can be used to surf as well ??? no double-duty for the wakesurf.

 

[waterboy]

@justason I have a wakeskate I will let you try. As others have said, it is the exact same thing as wakeboarding without bindings, like a skate board. I bought a cheap one a while back but no one really took to it. It is fun, I think, even though I can;t do crap on it but launch like the picture above, but heh, even that is fun.

We have a surfboard too and that is a blast. I do not have ballast other than crew weight. My girls are able to go ropeless on our small wave but I cannot. Still fun too though...

 

[justason]

@justason I have a wakeskate I will let you try. As others have said, it is the exact same thing as wakeboarding without bindings, like a skate board. I bought a cheap one a while back but no one really took to it. It is fun, I think, even though I can;t do crap on it but launch like the picture above, but heh, even that is fun.

We have a surfboard too and that is a blast. I do not have ballast other than crew weight. My girls are able to go ropeless on our small wave but I cannot. Still fun too though...

this is great ! thanks ! I'm thinking we can swing a situation here, I have Ballast that we can put your girls. ...I've filled them once since I bought the boat ... I'm leaning towards the surfing element but would like to check them out !

 

[Glassman]

My wakeskate is so old school it's made of papyrus! And it's warped so going left is very easy...lol

But be careful, I get carried away sometimes launching over the wake and once I almost got carried away in an ambulance!
Hit so hard I thought I cracked a rib.

 

[Glassman]

This kid is pretty good:

 

[Kelso]

Wow, that wakeskating video makes it look Fuuuuuuuunnnn!

 

[txav8r]

I am going to leave both to you young un's! While I can probably still wakeboard and learn to wake skate...the wake surfing does look more my speed. At my age, recovery from a fall will be slow...and I AIN'T INTO PAIN anymore! lol But he sure makes it look easy @Glassman !

 

[robbo3]

Wake skates are also good for learning surface tricks such as 180 and 360s since you're not connected if you catch an edge. They also slide better on the surface since they usually have smaller fins. It makes the fall much easier to handle.

You can find them on sale for under $100, making them a cheap boating toy that doesn't take up much storage, meaning there's o reason not to have one . Just be sure to get a foam topped model if you plan to ride barefoot. Others with grip tape are for more serious riders that wear shoes.

 

[Kelso]

Well, because of this thread I just ordered a wakeskate and had its shipping expedited so as to get it before we head out on vacation with the boat to Lake Hamilton in Hot Springs, AR. next week.

I can pop right up on wakeboards so hopefully I can get up on a skate. We will see!

 

[Glassman]

Kelso, you'll be fine. You will quickly learn how the forward momentum of the boat keeps the wakeskate on your feet before take-off. Just tell your driver to keep the line taught.
Once up, ride it like a surfboard/skateboard and you'll have a blast. I like to be closer to the boat so I can work what little outside wake it makes.

 

[justason]

thanks all, well We've had a chance to try wake skate and wake surf.......wake surf is the toy we'll be pursuing without a doubt.

so now the question: Size? does size matter?

my son is 18, about 150lbs and 5'10 my daughter at 15 is about 100lbs and 5'6" I see boards run in some stubby sizes, then in the upper 4' range and low 5' range........prices are a bit startling, I'm sure I'll buy online so hate to pick the brains of someone at west marine that isn't going to make a sale....So I ask the audience here for help please.

 

[GiddYupJoe]

@justason What did you think about the wake skate? Is it worth picking one up for $99 somewhere just to mess around on?

 

[justason]

@justason What did you think about the wake skate? Is it worth picking one up for $99 somewhere just to mess around on?

I personally did not use the wake-skate. (that's funny to even think about)....My daughter could not get up on it, someone told us to try again with water shoes or sneakers....that's this weekends task. that being said she did ride a wake-surf the other weekend and enjoyed it........ so that..combined with your awesome ropeless video made the alt decision for us....(invoice heading your way )..

so in short I don't think I could answer your question with any fairness.....$99 sounds reasonable ?!?!!?!?.. once proficient with the surf we'll try again