When you first get comfortable riding the wave without the rope, the next question is always the same: what’s next? That’s when the fun really begins. Learning skills and tricks is how you turn wakesurfing from simply staying up on the wave into something challenging and exciting.

If you’re a beginner ready to step things up, here are five skills every new rider should learn. They’ll give you better control, more confidence on the wave, and a foundation for more advanced moves you’ll want down the road.

The Carve

Carving is one of the basics. It’s the act of turning your board side to side across the wave. And while it may sound basic, it’s one of the most important skills to master.

Why it matters: Carving teaches you board control, balance, and how to use the whole wave.

How to do it: There are many ways to carve and as you get more comfortable you will likely use some combination of these until they become second nature. But start by keeping your knees bent and weight centered. Shift gently from your heels to your toes, and let your eyes lead where you want to go. You can also rotate your hips and lower body back and forth. Smooth, controlled movements are the key. Mastering this skill takes time but once you have this under your belt, the world opens up. 

The Pump

Once you can carve, the pump is your next step. This skill is all about generating speed without the rope.

Why it matters: Pumping helps you stay in the sweet spot of the wave and makes rope-free riding much easier.

How to do it: Start with your knees bent and your weight forward. From there extend you knees slightly so that you float up the wave, then bend your knees again and lean forward. Think “down-up” rather than “front-back.” As you compress and extend your body, your board accelerates forward. Keep the movements subtle as small adjustments make the biggest difference.

The Lip Slash (Spray)

This is the move that makes you feel like a surfer. Ride up the wave, push through your back foot, and throw a spray of water off the top.

Why it matters: It builds confidence, develops your timing, and adds flair to your riding.

How to do it: Approach the wave front with speed, lean back slightly as you hit the lip, then press hard on your back foot. The board will come out to the side and spray water back up at the boat. Don’t forget to reset your balance and straighten the board as you come down so you don’t fall out of the sweet spot. 

The Float

The float is when you ride your board right on top of the wave lip before dropping back into the face.

Why it matters: It sharpens your timing and helps you learn how to use the top of the wave.

How to do it: With enough speed, aim up the wave and let your momentum carry you along the lip. Once you hit the top of the wave lip, keep your balance centered and see how long you can ride the lip before dropping back in. Stay centered over your board and absorb the landing as you drop back in. You should feel like you’re floating on top of the wave, hence the name. 

The 360 Spin (Surface Spin)

The 360 is often the first flashy trick riders set their sights on. It’s spinning your board all the way around on the water’s surface.

Why it matters: It challenges your edge control, balance, and coordination and looks awesome when you nail it.

How to do it: Start at the back of the sweet spot and pump up the sweet spot to build up speed. Once, you’re towards the front of the sweet spot turn your shoulders in the direction you want to spin (when first starting out it’s easiest to turn into the wave). Stay low and light on your feet and keep rotating until you complete the circle. A strong finish means spotting the wave and riding it out smoothly.

Tips for Progression

• Don’t be afraid to fail. Failure is how you learn and is what makes you a better rider. 
• Use a rope when learning each trick until you feel confident without it.
• Focus on one trick at a time, mastery comes from repetition.
• Ride with friends who can encourage and push you.
• Celebrate the small wins. Every successful carve, pump, and spray gets you closer to bigger tricks.

These first five skills aren’t just about showing off, they’re the building blocks of your journey. Carving, pumping, and slashing teach control. Floating and spinning add style. Together, they prepare you for the more advanced tricks waiting down the line.

The most important thing? Have fun! Progression comes with time, consistency, and a lot of laughs along the way. So grab your board, get on the water, and start practicing. The wave is yours.