Transition btwn wakesurf and surfing

has anybody made the transition between wakesurfing and oceanic surfing? my buddies and I started wakesurfing this year and have a blast. we were thinking that there might need to be a road trip to a coast to try real surfing. Is it that hard to go from one to the other?

Hey John,
I went the other way. I have surfed for 20+ years and started to wakesurf. Wakesurfing to me is like surfing an endless waist high beach break(exept no super hollow and grinding). I have the same style for both. The big differences for someone who has only wakesurfed and never surfed is trying to paddle and stand up and the board you use. Trying to paddle into a wave verses being pulled by a rope is a lot different. Try standing up on your wakesurf board surf style and see if it is an easy transition for you. Also make surf you have the right surf board for the ocean.
Board More/Work Less!
J$
P.S. Don't paddle out your first time at a crowded local break with a bunch of rippers. Sometimes the locals aren't to receptive to beginers. Do some reasearch on the break you want to surf first.
Late$

John,
I also went the other way only my surfing career ended 40 years ago. I agree that paddling in getting up and having to ride without time to wait for the wake to form, fix your board shorts then let go of the rope and ride will have a longer learning curve. Once you are on the wave though the experience is very similar. I think that I could very well surf again if I could get pulled in as my knees are so bad I could never stand up after catching a wave.

Yep, I agree witht the above. Surfing is much more dificult than wakesurfing. Wakesurfing makes it seem that surfing is as easy, when in fact it is harder (at least for me). In my opinion, paddling and catching the wave at the right time would be a major difference. Catch it too late and it's over the falls, too early and the swell will go right by you. There is simply nothing that can match the rush of surfing, especially those waves that you look up at the tube. It's been many years since I've been proficient at it (too old), but wakesurfing as brought back similar feelings and I love it.

I have surfed for many years, but have never wakesurfed. Is it possible to paddle hard on a long board behind a gradually accelerating boat and "catch the wake" and stand up, without the use of a rope? Might be a good way to transition to real surf. Im looking for an opportunity to try wakesurfing in So Cal. Any info would be helpful.

Hey Jim, if you can get your hands on this issue of Wakesurfer magazine, there was an article that showed this paddle in start.



My son and I took a surf lesson on our vacation this summer. I would say that there are three components to ocean surfing, paddling to catch the wave, standing up on the board and then actually surfing. So, wakesurfing, in my mind, is very much like this third and final phase of ocean surfing. The two other phases aren't really addressed in our sport. I have seen folks lie down on their board and then snap up to their feet, so I would presume you could practice this wakesurfing. That just leaves the paddling part. I found this to be the hardest part, because it was physically demanding on my 50 year old butt...my 13 year old son found the paddling fun (actually what he found fun was looking back over his shoulder and yelling c'mon dad as I floated there winded!)

Hi Jeff! Thanks so much for the info. Will find a copy of Wakesurfer ASAP. Im planning to try wakesurfing in 2 weeks at Lake Nacamiento (CA Central Coast area). Im an "older" guy too, age 53. Bye.

Hey Jim, you're down by Pismo and Morro bay, killer spots. If you have difficulty locating that issue, let me know and I can copy and mail or fax it to you. Good luck wakesurfing, it's a blast! I think you'll find getting up on a wakesurfer MUCH easier than on a surfboard.

I have that issue if anyone wants it.
Board More/Work Less!
J$

My bad folks, wrong issue. Look for this one on page 26 and 27. Sorry.

I have that issue also if anyone needs it.
Board More/Work Less!
J$

We were out on Dnnis' boat yesterday, along with thee Big Kahuna board we shaped for Dennis. That board is 6'2" long, rounded nose and square tail...about 3" thick from tail to nose. It was designed to float Dennis' svelt 260 pound frame (we hardly recognized you Dennis, pretty soon you'll be a stick). James tried a prone start and was doing it fairly easily by the end of the day. He didn't paddle however, he used the rope to get started and allow the wake to form, then stablized the board and got up. James learned to go up to one knee then stand and that was was VERY successful for him yesterday. Now a 6'2" inch board would be a short board in the ocean, it's pretty HUGE for behind the boat. I think it would be pretty easy to get acclimated to the various stages of surfing bhind the boat, such that the transition was pretty easy.

Props to Dennis in allowing us to overtake his Sanger! Thanks again big Kahuna!

I couldnt find Wakesurfer mag in my neck of the woods. Id like to take you up on your offer, John. Can you send a copy to 2351 Pierpont Blvd, Ventura, CA 93001? Ill reimburse postage and magazine costs, even handling! Im all ready working less but wanting to board more. Thanks

Hey Jeff, thanks for offering to send me a copy. Im reading these messages backwards, and just read yours. If John cant send me a copy, Ill post another message for you. Later!

Say the word, I can also just copy those pages if you'd like.

Jim,
I will send out the magazine tomorrow. No worries on the $$ bro. The last I heard the mag doesn't exist anymore but anyone can correct me if I'm wrong.
Board More/Work Less!
J$

Hey J$, Jeff
Thanks for the Mag!!!!!/offer. Im reading it cover to cover with eyes wide open. Ive been surfing Rincon Point for 20 years, 2 - 10 feet, exciting but crowded when big, fun and uncrowded at 2-. Problem is its only a 100-200yd ride and goes flat a lot. I need a 1 mile long dependable wave. J$, do you still ocean surf? Ill let you guys know how my first wakesurf goes. Later.

Jim,
I still get out every now and then. I moved from Santa Cruz to the East Bay. So it is an hour to the beach instead of 10 minutes. That is why I bought my boat and picked up wakesurfing. Wakesurfing is fun but nothing like surfing overhead waves or pulling into a nice barrel. But on the other hand I don't usually get to surf a wave for 5+ minutes.
Board More/Work Less!
J$

John,
Went out at C street, Ventura, yesterday. 2-3 ft, crowded and mushy. Im thinking, wakesurfing has got to be better than this! Seems like the perfect sport while waiting for the real surf to come up. What kind of boat do you have and how big is the wake? Let me know if you want the Magazine back. Im almost done reading it. Later.

I have an 05 B52 Team Edition. I get burnt on the crowded conditions and all the brawling and groveling over waves. I do miss a good head high wave though. I can't say that I have ever wanted to kick out of a wave in the ocean because my legs were tired from a 3-5 minute ride. Wakesurfing is the next best thing to surfing. You can go ahead and keep the mag. I have a few others. Here is a pic of the wake. Stock ballast, the driver, and one 12 year old in the back with the flag.
Late$
John

John, thanks for the pic. I surf waves that small all summer long, but the ride is only 5 seconds, not 5 minutes. Ill let you know how my first wakesurf goes - next week.

Jim--I taught myself to wakesurf, using a 7ft surfboard, and stock ballast only, on my Pro-V. Had to use the rope to start, though....The only diff I noticed, besides the speed, was that you have to keep your toes close to the edges if your wakesurf board has the edges, and not rounded....

I've never ocean surfed, but want to learn....

J$/Clubjoe, my first wakesurf session didnt happen!!! We had the wrong boat. Now my buddy and I are hooking up with a guy that owns a Malibu wakesetter at Lake Nacamiento (We call it nasty lake). Im so dang excited about this sport, and I havent done it yet. Ill let you know how it goes.

Jim--Good luck! Bend your knees!... Until you get the hang of it, a good crouch will help keep you from burying the nose....Also, don't be in a hurry to pitch the handle. Find the spot, and get used to staying in it.

Jim, My buddy has a wakestter. It has a decent wake for surfing. You should have an easy transition from surfing to wakesurfing. Just remember to hold the rope until you get the "sweet" spot. Once in the spot your natural surf style will take over. And let's see some pics! As always..Board More/Work Less!
J$

John, thanks for the advice. We are still trying to schedule our first wakesurf, now postponed until November. Not many wakesurfers around Ventura - too much real surf - too few lakes. Ill post a message when we finally do it.

Jim,
let me know if you guys need a third or fourth ever. I dont surf behind my boat, but have surfed a little bit behind clubjoe's boat. I am not very good at it, but it is a blast. I live in ventura also, and usually go out on the weekends.
Thomas

J$/thomas/clubjoe/surfdad:
I finally did it! Lake Nacamiento was glassy and perfect. Our wakesetter produced a 2' wake. It was better than I thought it would be, a total workout. I rode my 6' 10" trifin, so I was able to do the surf style get-up as well as paddling to the boat each time after falling or fading off. One of my main goals is to stay in shape for ocean surfing when the surf is flat. Wake surfing is perfect for that! Hope to post a picture after my next session next week.

Jim, KUDOS!!!!!!! Post a pic we want to see ya shredding!

I used to surf when I was a kid down in Redondo Beach....used to surf there and down at hermosa and occacionaly at Huntington. I tried wakesurfing for the first time this summer and loved it. The surfers in this post are correct when they say it is tough to paddle onto a wave and then stand, but once up its pretty much the same thing. Hell I remmeber paddling out on a huge set at the river mouth in Santa Cruz back in the early 80's.....I almost drown trying to paddle out..I was duck diving every 10 seconds every time I came up another wave would hit...I honeslty thought I was gonna die that day. I think I was 15, ahhhh those were the days

Jim!--Coolio! Probably was easier than you thought, huh? PICS!!

Thomas--We need to get out again. Had a blast last time out with you guys, as usual.

Jim,
Congrats bro! Was your style the same? Good sport for when the surf is flat.
Board More/Work Less!
J$

Daniel,
I use to surf the Santa Cruz River Mouth all the time in the 80's. A framed grinders. It still goes off every know and then. I am sure I surfed it with you.
Board More/Work Less!
J$

Johny Holmes....AWESOME profile pic dude where is that? You the man!!!!!!!!!!!

It was one of the rare days at the Hook when it wasn't very crowded.
Board More/Work Less?
J$