Surfing in Central Oregon

[schubwa]

I joined my buddies who were up at Cultus Lake, which is on the Cascades Lakes Hwy about an hour's drive from Bend. They had a wake boat in the water, so it was time for some wake surfing. We also went tow boarding, using the same boards guys use for tow-in surfing at cloud breaks. It's kinda like wake boarding, but easier on us older guys. But I prefer wake surfing as you get to practice making hundreds of turns at a time. And since you're only going 10 mph, it's no big deal to fall.

 

[Admin]

Looks like a blast!

 

[EMSC]

How exactly do you get started/"up"? Is there a rope you drop once you are up and on the wake?

 

[schubwa]

You use a short rope that puts you pretty close to the back of the boat and the steep part of the wake. It's pretty easy to pop up due to the slow speed and large planing surface of the surfboards. We're using twin fins as they're loose and slashy. Once up, you walk yourself hand over hand, using the rope to pull closer into the steepest part of the wave. When you're trimmed up and planing you toss the rope into the boat and start turning. Good fun.
It's a real science to get a good wave; everyone needs to sit in the right place in the boat and have the correct ballast tanks (or fat sacks) full. When you get it right it 's a great way to spend a summer afternoon!