What is wakeboarding?

Wakeboarding is a towed watersport in which the rider stands on a single board rather than a pair of skis. In the UK it is offered at lakes, reservoirs and dedicated centres, either behind a boat or on a cable system.

How wakeboarding works

The rider stands sideways on a short, buoyant board and holds a handle attached to a tow rope. The pull from the rope provides the speed needed to ride across the surface. The sport combines elements of water skiing, surfing and snowboarding.

Both feet are held in bindings fixed to the board. You steer by shifting your weight onto your heels or toes, much as you would on a snowboard.

There are two main ways to be towed:

• Boat towing: a motorboat pulls the rider and creates a wake behind it, which riders can cross or use for jumps.
• Cable towing: an overhead cable pulls the rider across the water. Larger systems run around a circuit, while systems with two towers generally pull one rider back and forth. Cable sessions can cost less than boat sessions, although prices and beginner provision vary.

Riding and tricks

Riders can focus on carving turns, crossing the wake or learning tricks. Behind a boat, the wake can act as a ramp. At cable parks, riders may use dedicated features such as launch ramps, known as kickers, as well as boxes and rails.

Tricks range from simple surface turns to aerial moves. More advanced tricks include spins and inverts, in which the rider goes upside down. Beginners should not attempt these, and any move towards harder tricks or features should be guided by a coach.

Early sessions usually involve learning to get up on the board, keep your balance and ride in a straight line. Progress varies, and instruction can help riders develop technique safely.

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Before you book

Holding the handle and absorbing the pull of the rope works your arms, back and core, and you will fall in often while learning. If you have any health concerns or injuries, discuss them with the provider first.

Check the venue's swimming requirements and tell staff about any limitations. Your briefing should explain what to do after a fall, how to let go of the handle safely, and how to leave the riding area or wait to be collected.

Equipment provision and charges vary between centres. Ask whether the price covers:

• coaching
• a wakeboard with bindings
• a correctly fitted buoyancy aid suitable for wakeboarding and accepted by the venue
• a helmet, which many cable parks require
• wetsuit hire

If you wear an impact vest, do not assume it provides enough flotation or meets buoyancy aid standards. Also check age limits and any health or participation requirements.

UK water can be cold for much of the year, so choose clothing that suits the water temperature and conditions. A wetsuit helps keep you warm but does not remove the risks of cold water shock or prolonged immersion.

Staying safe

Falls at speed can cause strains, bruising or more serious injuries. Sensible precautions include:

• taking lessons from a qualified coach rather than teaching yourself
• always wearing a suitable buoyancy aid
• following the safety briefing and rules at your venue
• at cable parks, keeping clear of other riders and moving tow lines, following instructions after a fall, and not trying features until the coach or operator clears you
• having an observer in the boat as well as the driver when boat towing
• not riding when tired, cold or after drinking alcohol

Only ride at an established venue or in an area where towing is expressly permitted. A lake, reservoir or stretch of navigable water is not automatically open for wakeboarding.

British Water Ski & Wakeboard is the national governing body for the sport in the UK, and its website lists affiliated clubs, coaching schemes and safety information. Affiliation is a useful starting point, but also check who will coach the session, their relevant qualifications and the venue's safety arrangements.

Towing a rider needs specific skills. The Royal Yachting Association (RYA) offers general powerboat training, but that is not the same as learning to tow safely. British Water Ski & Wakeboard runs a Ski Boat Driver Award, so check its current details with the organisation. Drivers must also meet the venue's and their insurer's requirements. Inland waterways and harbours may set their own speed limits and licensing rules, and permission to launch or navigate does not necessarily include permission to tow a wakeboarder. The Maritime and Coastguard Agency and GOV.UK publish official guidance on boating rules and safety.

To get started, book a coached beginner session and check the swimming requirements, equipment provision and total price before paying.