Jetting across waves behind a boat at high speeds may seem like an activity more suitable for stuntmen. But once you find your balance, the wakes—and air—are yours.

Put Your Right Foot Forward
Most people naturally lead with their left foot. Right first is considered “goofy,” but also works. To figure out which foot is in charge, have someone gently push you from behind. Whichever foot lands first, wins. If you snowboard, use the same lead foot.

Get Vertical
The trick: Don’t rush standing up. When you’re bobbing in the water, the rope will tighten as the boat starts pulling you. Stay squatting for about 2 to 3 seconds, then slowly get vertical and start carving.

Point and Shoot
Shifting your weight toward your heels or your toes directs the board. Beware of your board becoming perpendicular—meaning the long side faces the boat's rudder—or you'll face-plant. Put weight back on your heels to realign the board.

Don't let expensive equipment and rising gas prices deter your adventure-seeking dreams. Even if all you own is a swimsuit, know what to rent.

Stay Afloat
It’s inevitable: You’re going to wipe out eventually. A Coast Guard-approved life jacket is mandatory and will keep you buoyant when your body hits the water.

Rock the Board
Rocker is how much bend the board has. Purchased or rental, if you’re just starting, make sure the board has less rocker. As you advance, upgrade to more bend to go faster and jump higher.

Perfect the Craft
Different boats produce different wakes, so opt for a wakeboarding boat. A tower or pole gives the rope lift so you can jump higher. And wakeboarding crafts should have an inboard motor so the only things being chopped are waves.

The mental exhilaration of beating the waves coupled with the sport’s speed make for an unbeatable ride. Plus, it's a great way to bulk up your arms and chisel your core.

Defy Gravity
There's no better rush than carving waves and jumping from wake to wake to clear surfers (and other suckers). Your level is defined by the tricks you do, so be bold and jump as high as you can, borrowing some air from skateboarding or snowboarding.

Go Hard-Core
You’ll strengthen your arms, back, and core muscles that the boat tugs first. Since you’ll use muscles you usually don’t, do some arm and hamstring stretches before you hit the water to prevent soreness.

Look Like a Pro
If you’re an athlete, you’ll have the bonus skills to be up and running in three to four tries. Getting sun and a workout while impressing half-naked ladies doesn’t get any easier.

Lake Powell, Glen Canyon National Recreation Area, Utah
Cruise alongside sun-tinged, red-rock canyons. This man-made lake, which borders Arizona and Utah, has less wind than its reservoir neighbor Lake Mead—with equally breathtaking scenery.

Orlando, Fla.
Considered by many the wakeboarding capital, Orlando and its surrounding areas are a camp and event hotspot. Off-peak seasons attract older crowds, and the city hosts numerous major wakeboarding tours.

The Delta, Calif.
A triangle of waterways between the cities of Sacramento and Stockton, the Delta provides 1,000 miles of navigable water.

Freeride Wakeboard School, Lake Austin, Texas
Branch off from wakeboarding for some wakesurf or wakeskate instruction at any level.

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