If you’re new to wakesurfing, getting up on the board can feel like the biggest hurdle. The good new is that every rider struggles at first, but with the right technique and practice, you’ll be riding the wave in no time. This guide walks you through everything you need to know to get started step by step. But the important thing is to get out on the water and keep on trying. 

Gear & Setup Checklist

Before you even hit the water, make sure you’re set up for success:

Board: You’ll need a beginner-friendly wakesurf board. Something that is wider, stable and more forgiving will generally help that first time up. Check out our guide to Best Beginner Wakesurf Boards here for what makes a good beginner wakesurf board. 

Rope: You’ll also want a wakesurf-specific rope. These are usually shorter and thicker than a wakeboard rope.

Life Vest: Don’t forget to always wear a USCG-approved vest. You will likely be spending a good amount of time in the water so make sure it has enough buoyancy to keep you floating. Safety first.

Boat Speed: Generally a speed between 10–12 mph is best for most beginners.

Step-by-Step: How to Get Up on a Wakesurf Board

Step 1: Position Yourself in the Water

Float on your back with your heels resting on the board and knees bent. You’ll want your heels close to the edge of the board to provide a pivot point for the boat to pull you up. Hold the rope handle with straight arms. The board should be in front of you with your toes pointing up. At this stage you can let the board lay flat on top of the water. You don’t need to press down with feet our do anything else. The main thing to focus on here is staying relaxed. The less you fight it, the easier getting up will be. 

Step 2: Let the Boat Do the Work

This is the #1 beginner mistake, don’t pull yourself up. Keep your knees tucked and arms straight as the boat slowly accelerates. The water pressure will naturally push the board under your feet. This is why you want your heels close to the edge of the board in your setup. The closer they are to the edge of the board the easier it will be for the boat to pull you up. 

Step 3: Roll Up into Position

Stay relaxed. As the board starts to plane, it will rotate under you until it’s flat on the water. Keep your knees bent and your chest upright. Don’t let the boat pull you too far forward. If you continue to pivot forward without bringing the board along with you, you're going to do a faceplant and we don’t want to see that. 

Step 4: Stand Slowly

When you feel balanced, begin to extend your legs gradually. Keep your weight balanced on the middle of the board, with your chest over your knees. It’s ok to lean back a little bit and put more weight on your back foot but just know that when you eventually learn to let go of the rope, you’re going to want you weight fully balanced on the center of the board. At this point, don’t rush, slow and steady makes it easier to stay up.

Step 5: Find the Sweet Spot

Once you’re riding, shift your weight subtly to stay in the wave’s pocket. When you’re ready, let go of the rope slack and ride hands-free. That’s when the real fun begins.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Pulling too hard on the rope - Let the boat do the work and pull you out of the water.

Bending your arms when getting up - Not only does this take a lot of strength, it also will cause the board to slide out in front of you.  

Standing up too quickly - Rushing as you get up is a recipe for a wipeout. 

Leaning too far back - It’s ok when you first start but will stall you when you are trying to let go of the rope. 

Looking down at your feet - This will make it much harder to find the sweet spot. 

Not having your heels close to the edge - If your heels are too close to the center then the board will plane out on the water when the boat starts to move and you won’t be able to get up.

Want more? Check out The Top Mistakes Beginners Make in Wakesurfing so you can avoid them from the start.m

Pro Tips for Faster Success

• A bigger, beginner-friendly board makes getting up much easier.
• Ask the driver to start smooth — no jerky accelerations.
• Try a few practice runs in shallow water to feel the motion.
• Don’t give up. Most riders get it within a handful of tries.

Getting up on a wakesurf board is the hardest part of learning, but once you nail it, the rest of your progression opens up. With the right board, a clean wave, and a little patience, you’ll be standing, carving, and having fun faster than you think.