Today, we’re going to give you a few pointers about three of my favourite wakeboarding tricks. I do these tricks when I’m just out having fun and not focused on my competition tricks.
These wakeboarding tricks are intermediate-level tricks. If you are comfortable jumping the wake both heel-side and toe-side and riding both switch and regular, these tricks would be a great addition to your repertoire.
However, if you’re new to the wakeboard, start with some of our beginner tips.
1. The Tantrum
First off, I should mention that wakeboarding tricks are notorious for having strange names. The tantrum is not an exception. However, some say that the name has a purpose.
A tantrum is a heel-side backflip. This was the first invert I learned on a wakeboard, and it is the foundation for many progressively advanced tricks. The easiest way to learn to do a tantrum is to be able to do a backflip on a trampoline or into a pool. This will give you air awareness and teach you to spot your landings.
Now that you’ve mastered the backflip off the water, it is time to take it behind the boat. You will cut out wide like you are attempting a heel-side wake jump. Approach the wake with a moderately aggressive edge. This trick is easier with more height.
The hardest part about a tantrum is the takeoff. As you approach the ride up the wake, you will let off your edge completely, squaring your shoulders to the wake. To do this, you’ll take your back hand off the handle and throw it out to your side and above your head like a kid throwing a tantrum (that’s where the name comes in).
This will trip you backward, propelling your feet over your head. Once in the air, you want to keep your head looking backward until you can see the water. When you see the water, you want to prepare for the landing.
Keep your knees bent, shoulders strong, and chest up. Just like that, you landed your first tantrum.
Grab It
The next step with this trick is learning to grab it. Once you are comfortable with the tantrum, bring your knees to your chest. Reach your hand down to your board in the middle of your legs. This is called an Indy-grabbed tantrum.
If you’re more of a visual learner, check out this instructional video online.
2. The Heel-Side Frontside 360
This is another great intermediate-level wakeboarding trick that, once mastered, can be very stylish. All riders love to do this trick in every wakeboard session.
The heel-side frontside 360 is one of the fundamental spins every wakeboarder should learn as they progress. To perform this trick, you want to cut in as if you are doing a heel-side wake jump. As you approach the top of the wake, you will stand tall. Edge all the way through the wake, keeping two hands on the handle.
Once you are in the air, you want to turn your shoulders towards the boat and give a hard pull on the handle to your back hip. You will now let go with your front hand and reach behind your back, passing the handle back to your lead hand.
Once you receive the handle, make sure to have your chest tall and knees bent for landing. The 360 can be intimidating because you expose yourself by turning your back to the boat. It is really important to be patient and keep both your hands on the handle until you’re in the air, which can give that hard pull to your opposing hip.
3. The Scarecrow
Another crazy name, right!
The Scarecrow is a toe-side front roll with a frontside 180. It sounds complicated, but some people find it easier than a front roll. The Scarecrow is one of the first inverts I would recommend. You must be comfortable with a toe-side approach for this trick.
You will edge out nice and wide, approaching the wake with the handle tight to your front hip, your chest up, and your shoulders turned into the wake. As you come up the wake, you will stand tall, turn your head towards the boat, and look back over your front shoulder. This will push your chest forward and cause the rotation to happen.
It almost feels like diving into the wake. As you come around, you’ll be able to spot your landing. Keep the handle tight to your body throughout the whole rotation, with both hands on the handle. This is an extremely fun trick. Once you are comfortable with it, you can make it unique by grabbing the board in different places.
Wear a Life Jacket and Try These Three Wakeboarding Tricks
All of the wakeboarding tricks I’ve discussed are essential in the progression of a wakeboarder and stand as great building blocks. However, it’s important to master the essentials of the wakeboard first and keep safety in mind every time you’re on the board.
Wearing a lifejacket is a must for every wakeboard ride or trick. We also recommend taking the BOATsmarts! online boater education course to learn more about boat and watersports safety. It’s one of the best things you can do to ensure every water adventure is safe – so you can enjoy many more!
If you’re in Canada, take our course for Canadian boaters and watersports enthusiasts and get your license. In the U.S., choose the course for your state and start learning!
Originally published June 2, 2020. Content most recently reviewed and updated August 6, 2024.
