Now that you have learned the basics of Wakesurfing, been practicing getting up and working on maintaining your balance, you need to understand and be able to find the sweet spot. The sweet spot is the part of the wakesurf wave that has the most power and forward drive. The sweet spot usually starts just past the swim platform and continues to the part of the wakesurf wave that is completely curling over. The length of the sweet spot can vary from boat to boat depending on how much ballast is loaded and the number of people in the boat.
To find the sweet spot slowly work your way up the rope keeping the handle of the rope in the hand that is furthest from the rear of the boat. Do not let the handle dangle especially a full size handle, if you were to fall and put a hand, arm or leg through a handle you could be dragged by the boat and seriously injured.
As you slowly work your way up the wakesurf rope towards the back of the boat past the curl in the wave you will start to feel the push of the wave, this is the sweet spot. With your front foot placed with your toes a couple of inches from the edge of the wakesurf board. Slowly lean over your front knee towards the wave, this will push down the front edge of the wakesurf board closest to the wave. At this point you should start to feel the wave push you and see some slack in the rope. If you do not you need to lean further over your front knee towards the wave, this will help you to edge the wakesurf board towards the wake gaining forward momentum. To slow down ease your weight to your back foot slowly, the biggest mistake that most people make is over compensating. When shifting your weight on the wakesurf board, do it slowly, it does not take much to speed the board up or slow it down. Think of the wakesurf board as a gas pedal, press on the nose to go and the tail to slow down. Once you have found the sweet spot and learn to better balance and shift you weight on the board, you will be close to throwing the rope.
For a better understanding check out the pictures and click on the film strip below to see the wakesurfing video, notice the slack in the rope once she is in the sweet spot.
Remember be safe and buy a handle and rope made for wakesurfing, share the knowledge and wakesurf safely.
