Wakesurfing in Switzerland

Team rider Lui wakesurfing

Wakesurfing is a water sport in which a person surfs the back wave of a motorboat on a short surfboard. Unlike wakeboarding, in which the rider is pulled by a rope to ride on the water, wakesurfing involves adjusting the speed of the boat to create a standing wave that the wakesurfer can surf without the pull rope. The line is only needed to start and is then thrown back onto the board.

Here is a basic description of how wakesurfing works:

  • The motorboat travels at low speed, usually between 9 and 10 mph, to create a constant wave.
  • The wakesurfer stands on a special wakesurf board that is shorter and wider than a traditional surfboard or wakeboard. These boards are usually designed to stay on the wave without a pull rope.
  • The wakesurfer is pulled by the boat's bow wave and slowly moves toward the stern of the boat to find the wave.
  • Once the wakesurfer finds the wave, he lets go of the pull rope and surfs the boat's wave. Position on the shaft and travel speed are controlled by shifting body weight and changing foot position.
  • Wakesurfers can perform tricks, spins and feats while surfing the wave, similar to surfing or skateboarding.

Wakesurfing is a fun and accessible water sport that people of all ages and skill levels can enjoy. Although it requires some practice to maintain balance and perform various tricks, it is a great way to have fun on the water and ride the waves.

There are several places in Switzerland where you can wakesurf. Here are some of the most popular:

Lake Zurich: Lake Zurich is one of the largest lakes in Switzerland and a popular destination for water sports such as wakesurfing. There are several wakeboarding and water skiing facilities along the lake, allowing visitors to try wakesurfing.

Wakesurf school: https://reboat.ch/ , https://ceccotorenas.ch/

Lake Geneva (Lac Léman): Lake Geneva is another large lake in Switzerland and also offers wakesurfing opportunities. In cities like Geneva and Lausanne there are water sports centers that offer wakesurfing courses and rentals.

Wakesurf school: https://wake-up.ch/

Lake Thun: Lake Thun in the Bernese Oberland region is another place where you can go wakesurfing. There are water sports centers and boat rental shops near the lake that offer the necessary equipment and guidance.

Wakesurf school: https://wakehouse.ch/

Lake Biel: Lake Biel near Biel/Bienne is another popular destination for water sports such as wakesurfing. There are water sports clubs and operators offering wakesurfing lessons and opportunities for visitors.

Equipment

Wakesurf boards are specially developed for the sport of wakesurfing and differ from conventional surfboards or wakeboards in various aspects. Wakesurf boards are usually shorter and wider than traditional surfboards or wakeboards. This shape allows the surfer to stay on the wave of the boat without the constant need for pull rope. The reason for this is that the speed is lower and the boards therefore need more surface area. The fin setup is also a little different than regular sea surfboards. Subject to exceptions, most wake boards tend to have a twin or quad setup and the fins tend to be smaller.

When wakesurfing, you rarely if ever paddle your board. That's why most boards have a front pad in addition to the "normal" tailpad, so no wax is needed at all.

It is important to note that there are different types of wakesurf boards designed for different riding styles and abilities. A beginner will likely prefer a different board than an experienced wakesurfer who wants to perform tricks and maneuvers. Choosing the right wakesurf board depends on your individual needs and preferences.

You can find the equipment we offer for wakesurfing at the following link: https://surfari.ch/collections/wakesurfboards