Fancy trying out a new extreme sport? If you’re a water baby and crave some serious adrenaline, then wakeskating might be the new hobby for you. We catch up with wakeskater Stef Tor to get the low-down on this hot new trend.
What is it?
Wakeskating is skateboarding on water, I like to call it water dancing… haha! You are not attached to anything. Holding onto a handle from a 60 to 70 feet rope attached to a boat pulls you across the water at 18-23mph . A wakeskate made of wood or composite is approximately 15 inches wide, 39 inches to 43 inches long with either grip tape or foam top. Any type of skateboard shoe is worn for better traction while doing tricks on your wakeskate. Wakeskating has been on the Pro Wakeboard Tour now since 2003 so it is newer to the action sports industry than most of the other board sports.
How did you get into it?
I tried wakeboarding where bindings are attached to the board to keep you connected while you ride. That same summer I tried wakeskating and got hooked right away. I really like the technical feeling of wakeskating… it felt more like my style, as if I was skateboarding on water.
I started competing in the mens division because that was all there was. I won the 2004 World Wakeskate Championships in the mens Amateur division and I have been pushing for a womens division to happen ever since. Women finally got their own division this past summer and three divisions in the biggest events for the 2007 season.
How do you start out?
I would say best way to start out is to take a lesson from a camp or to attend one of the many clinics out there. Maven is the women’s division of Liquid Force that offers clinics free of charge all over the USA and Canada.
The clinics provide all the most recent equipment and expert advice from professional riders to teach riders of every level who want to learn. Then from there you can take your skills to wakeskate behind any type of jetski, or boat… the possibilities are endless.
What kit do you need?
Rope and handle, old skate shoes, wakeskate, a PWC (please water craft), a good friend to drive you, swimsuit/boardshorts and of course a PFD (personal flotation device). Oh, and lots of petrol to ride all day!
Any good organizations/websites to check out?
What are the big comps and contests?
WakeGames Orlando, Florida (April 26-29, 2007)
Nationals Kenosha, Wisconsin (June 20-24 2007)
WakeStock Abersoch,Wales (July 20-21, 2007)
Worlds Reno, Nevado (August 23-26, 2007)
Tige Pro/Am, Mexico (Oct)
Words and Pics by Stef Tor
