Wakesurfing has taken a lot of ideas from skateboarding, bringing cool tricks from the street to the water. When you mix surfing with the precise moves from skateboarding, you get a freshand gnarly wave riding style.
These skate-inspired tricks make wakesurfing more radical. You add your own twist with tricks that spin, slide, and catch air, pushing the boundaries of wakesurfing.
Ollie: Popping Air Off the Wave
The ollie is the foundation of so many tricks in skateboarding, and it translates perfectly to wakesurfing. Just like on a skateboard, you snap the tail of your wakesurf board down with your rear foot and offload your weight on your front leg to pop the nose off the water and catch some air.
The key is in the timing of your weight transfer and that quick snap of the tail. The ollie opens the door to more advanced tricks, so it’s a must-have in your bag.
The ollie is fundamental and accessible to most intermediate wakesurfers. It’s all about popping the board off the wave, which is a skill that can be developed with consistent practice.
Shuvit: Skate to Wake
This is a classic skateboarding move where the board spins 180 degrees under your feet, but you don’t rotate with it. On a wakesurf board, you’ll pop the nose slightly, giving the board the space it needs to spin while you stay in place.
It’s all in the timing and control, just like on a skateboard. You’ll need to keep your feet light and ready to land once the board completes the spin.
The shuvit is a great trick for intermediate wakesurfers. It’s challenging but manageable with practice. The key is getting comfortable with spinning the board under your feet while maintaining your balance.
180 Spin: Half the Rotation
The 180 spin is a straightforward yet essential trick in wakesurfing, borrowed straight from skateboarding. The goal is to rotate your body and board 180 degrees, either frontside or backside.
The trick is to keep your balance and momentum as you shift your stance mid-spin. It’s a versatile move that can be combined with other tricks or used to change your riding direction with style.
The 180 spin is a solid trick for intermediate riders. It’s a half rotation that doesn’t require as much precision as a full 360, so it’s a great stepping stone for advancing your skills.
360 Spin: Taking the Full Circle
A 360 spin is a staple in both skateboarding and wakesurfing. On the wave, you’ll use your upper body to initiate the spin, whipping your head and shoulders around while your feet guide the board through a full rotation.
This trick requires balance and keeping your momentum smooth throughout the spin. Nailing a 360 on the wake feels just as satisfying as it does on concrete (and less hazardous).
Floater: Ride the Lip of the Wave
The floater is a stylish move where you ride along the top of the wave (the lip) for a brief moment before dropping back down into the wave. This trick involves balancing on the edge of the wave and maintaining your speed. It requires good timing and the ability to manage momentum while riding the lip.
The floater in wakesurfing is inspired by the skateboarding maneuver where a skater rides along the edge of a ramp or coping. In skateboarding, a floater involves riding the top edge of a quarter pipe or bowl and then smoothly transitioning back down.
Boardslide: Sliding Across the Wave with Style
The boardslide is a trick that is actually feasible in wakesurfing, though it’s more commonly associated with wakeboarding or skateboarding. In wakesurfing, a boardslide involves turning the board sideways on the face of the wave, so the board is perpendicular to the direction of travel. This is similar to how a skateboarder slides along a rail or ledge.
The boardslide is performed by shifting your weight to your back foot and using your hips to swing the tail of the board out, so it slides across the wave. It requires an intermediate to advanced wakesurfing level.
Air Grab: Catch the Board Mid-Flight
An air grab is a skate-inspired trick where you catch air off the wave and grab your board mid-flight. You can go for an “indy grab” (grabbing the toe side edge with the back hand) or a “mute grab” (grabbing the toe side edge with the front hand).
The trick lies in getting enough height off the wave and reaching down to grab the board before you land back on the water. While it requires good wave conditions and solid jumping skills, it’s definitely achievable and a cool way to add flair to a wakesurfing session.