What is Wake Surfing?

    Wake surfing is ultimately about freeriding behind a boat using the wake of the boat to propel you through the water. The boat is usually going 10-13 mph and the ride users a wake surfboard (although traditional surf boards can be used) to ride the wave. The boat initially pulls the rider up using a rope and once the rider finds the groove in the wave, they toss the rope back into the boat and can ride the never ending wave! Here is a link to a video so you can see how it is done - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rTY8mrwhOTQ.
    I am not 100% sure where wake surfing started but the most common story I have heard involves the ships in the Houston ship channel. When the big oil tankers would come in loaded down with oil, they would create huge wakes behind them and you can often see dolphins ride those wakes and jumping in them. Eventually someone with a boat got the idea of running a rider out behind the tanker, getting in front of the wake and letting the rider out to surf. The boat would follow and if the rider fell, they would pick them up and get them back on the wave. Sounds a little crazy eh? Here is a video - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C5PsF7y1Jdk.
    Do not worry, the wake surfing I am talking about is a lot less crazy and easier for everyone to take part in. I will cover the specifics in other posts but a special boat is needed as well as special gear so do not just go attempting this without knowing how to safely do this sport. I have probably taken 50-75 people surfing over the last two years ranging from extremely athletic people to uncoordinated to over weight and I have about a 90-95% success rate on getting people to at least get up out of the water and surf a little ways on the surf board.  So this sport is for just about anyone and any skill level.