Knowing the lingo when around boat-towed sports such as wakeboarding and wakeskating helps with communication and safety. Here is a collection of wakeboarding terms in a glossary format to get you started speaking the language.

Wakeboarding, Wake Skating, and Wake Surfing Terms

Air:

Definition: What a wakeboarder achieves when the wakeboard is no longer touching the water when he is performing a trick. There is essentially "air" between the wakeboard and the water.
Examples: Steve caught huge air behind the boat when he pulled off his wakeboarding trick.

Bindings:

Definition: Means in which the wakeboarder mounts their feet on the wakeboard. Bindings are made of rubber, neoprene, or hardshell material. Bindings may be adjusted on a wakeboard by moving them in different angles. When worn, bindings should feel snug to the feet.

Blindside:

Definition: When a wakeboarder is performing a trick in the air and they can't see their landing spot.
Examples: Tom crashed four times attempting his first blindside tricks because he was having trouble predicting his landing spot without actually having it in sight while performing the tricks.

Bunny Hop (Also known as an Ollie):

Definition: The portion of the tow rope that connects to the Handle in a Y shape. Also used to describe the Y shaped end of the tow rope that actually connects to the boat if you are not using a tower and have an outboard motor.

Deepwater Start:

Definition: When a boat pulls the wakeboarder up out of the water while he holds the tow rope

Dock Start:

Definition: When a wakeboarder starts his run by first being pulled in the water while standing on a dock, or shore. This is only advisable if you are a confident rider. This may be a more common start technique if you are using a Cable park instead of a Boat.

Double Up:

Definition: Wakeboarding term used to describe when a boat driver makes a wide turn and crosses over the wake his boat has just made. The wakeboarder rides on the inside of the turn and he hits the two wakes as they meet, where the wakes can be up to three times the size of a normal wake. This can result in extra high air by the wakeboarder.

Edge:

Definition: Edge exists when the wakeboarder puts their wakeboard on its edge against the force of the boat in order to increase or decrease board/ski acceleration whilst turning.

Fakie:

Definition: Riding backwards on a wakeboard. Or riding in the opposite direction that is most comfortable to you, a right foot forward (Goofy footed) rider switching to left foot forward, and vice versa.

Fin:

Definition: A fin(s) is a tracking and turning device to keep the wakeboard traveling in the direction in which you steer it. Without fins the board tends to float freely without much control. This is something that some experienced riders like for pulling slider tricks.

Flex:

Definition: Flex refers to the degree of stiffness in a wakeboard. Flex patterns generally come in soft, medium, or firm. Wakeboards with softer flex tend to ride better in rough water. Firmer flex on a wakeboard helps the rider maintain proper body position. Currently there are a new breed of flex wakeboards being developed that compliment the sort of riding that now takes place in cable parks featuring lots of sliders and other kickers and ramps. This flex allows more pop on and off these obstacles.

Flip:

Definition: When a wakeboarder takes the wakeboard end over end, or tip over tail while performing a trick in the air after popping off the wake.

Goofy Foot:

Definition: When standing on the wakeboard your right foot is forward. Riding with your left foot forward is called Regular.

Grab:

Definition: When a wakeboarder grabs the wakeboard with their hand as they are airborne after popping off the boats wake or the cable park ramp.

Handle:

Definition: The bar in which the water-skier or wakeboarder holds on with their hands. The bar is connected to a towrope and the rope is connected to the boat.

Heelside:

Definition: A cut towards the wake with the heel side of the wakeboard on edge and the riders chest is facing the wake.
Examples: It is usually easier to wakeboard on your heelside than your toeside because when you are heelside you are leaning against the wake and it helps with balance.

Indy:

Definition: When a wakeboarder grabs with the back hand around the back foot on the toeside of the board.

Kite Boarding:

Definition: A form of wakeboarding where the boarder is being pulled by a kite instead of a boat or cable system. Now seen as a totally stand alone sport.

Kneeboarding:

Definition: When being pulled by a boat, riding on an extra wide board-shaped ski while in the kneeling position. The knees stay in position on the board with the help of a strap that goes across the top of the thighs.

Load The Line:

Definition: When a wakeboarder puts himself in the position of using the towrope to swing out away from the boat, slow down a bit, and then make a progressive cut towards the wake to create more tension. A loaded line helps achieve speed to jump the wake.

Mobe:

Definition: When a wakeboarder ends an aerial spin with a towrope handle pass.

Nosebone:

Definition: Wakeboarding trick in which the rider, while in flight, tucks one knee to the chest and extends the other leg straight out in front of him.

PFD:

Definition: PFD, which stands for "personal flotation device," is a life jacket in which the wakeboarder wears to keep them afloat in the event they fall. Also known as buoyancy aids, impact vests, and impact shields.

Pylon:

Definition: A pole that extends up from the center of the boat on which a towrope is attached. When the wakeboarder pulls against the boat, the pylon compensates so the boat will not slide from side to side. An extended pylon raises the height of the rope, therefore increasing the possible height of the wakeboarder. These are a simpler version of a wakeboard tower which is now more accepted on the wakeboard scene as they generally hold your wakeboards too out of the way of riders on the boat.

Rail:

Definition: Rail is the curved bottom part of a wakeboard, allowing the board to sink down into the water a bit while the board still rides on top of the water.

Raley:

Definition: When a wakeboarder is in the air and he extends his body and swings the board behind his him, sometimes taking the board over his head. Sometimes referred to as a superman in other action sports.

Roast Beef:

Definition: When a wakeboarder is in the air and grabs the back of the wakeboard between his legs.

Rocker:

Definition: Rocker refers to the shaped difference between the top tips of a wakeboard and the center of the bottom of the board. This is easiest to see when the board is laying on a flat surface and viewed from the side.  Rocker affects the performance of the board in the way that the greater the curve, the tighter the turn.

Roll:

Definition: When a wakeboarder takes the wakeboard over his head end-over-end and lands in the same direction he started.

Slider:

Definition: A device in which the wakeboarder jumps on, while being towed behind a boat or cable system, and then lands back in the water. A slider is usually found at a special wakeboard park along with other ramps and obstacles to ride.

Spotter:

Definition: A designated person in the boat who is in charge of watching the wakeboarder. The spotter is the communicator between the boarder and the driver, letting the driver know if speed adjustments are needed, when the boarder has fallen, etc. Often the spotter is also in charge of watching the rope and making sure it does not get under the boat. They also may be in charge of helping the wakeboarder get equipment in and out of the water.

Spray:

Definition: Water that is thrown into the air, caused by the displacement of a boat or wakeboarder. It often hinders the vision of a rider.

Stance:

Definition: How and where your feet stand in the bindings on a wakeboard. It involves the width at which the feet are apart and the angle at which they point.

Switchstance:

Definition: Riding backwards on a wakeboard. Or riding in the opposite direction that is most comfortable to you, a right foot forward (Goofy) rider switching to left foot forward, and vice versa.

Tantrum:

Definition: When a wakeboarder does a back flip over the wake.

Toeside:

Definition: A cut towards the wake with the toe side of the wakeboard on edge and the rider's back is facing the wake.

Tow Boat:

Definition: A boat which pulls a wakeboarder by means of a rope attached to either the center or the back of the boat.

Tow Rope:

Definition: A rope in which connects the wakeboarder to the towboat. The rider grips a handle and the handle is connected to the rope.

Tower:

Definition: A cage-like device connected to the center of the boat. Its purpose is to give wakeboarders height with its high towrope hook. Wakeboard racks may be purchased to attach to the tower to hold boards to get them out of the way and off the boat's floorboard.

Transition:

Definition: This is when the wakeboard makes the transfer from one edge to the other edge.

Wake:

Definition: The V shaped water that trails behind a boat, created by the boat's forward motion.

Wakeboarding:

Definition: A form of waterskiing where both feet are attached to a board that resembles something in between a water ski and a kneeboard. The rider stands on the board with the feet pointing off to the side of the board. Riders like wakeboarding because wakeboards allow lift off the wake, making a multitude of tricks in the air possible.

Wakeskating:

Definition: A wakeboard with no bindings. Wakeskates are ridden more akin to skateboarding on water. The rider generally wears skate shoes to maintain a grip on the board. Specially made waterproofed shoes are available now.

Wake Surfing:

Definition: Wake surfing is using a surfboard or similar type board to surf the waves behind a boat. A ballasted wakeboat works best. Boat speed is slow and ranges from 9-14 mph. The rider uses a tow rope to pull themselves out of the water. Once the rider has their balance they release the rope and surf the waves (wake). A short board made specifically for wakesurfing works best but a traditional surf board may be used as well.

Wash:

Definition: The broken water left behind a boat in motion.

Wetsuit:

Definition: A suit the wakeboarder wears to keep the body warm in cold weather and water conditions. A wetsuit allows water in the suit, and insulates the water to make it warm.