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Riding the waves on a wakeboard

By Lee Sang-ju

Choi Chang-rok eagerly waits for each summer so he can take his jet ski and go wakeboarding at a nearby barge.

“At first, snowboarding was my favorite hobby. But the problem is you can only snowboard in winter. I started to look for an alternative hobby I could enjoy doing summer, and found wakeboarding,” Choi told the Korea Herald. He has been an avid wakeboarder for the past two years.

In wakeboarding, a rider is towed by a motorboat. The rider uses the wake created by the boat to perform tricks. A combination of snowboarding, water skiing and surfing, the extreme sport is competing to become an official category in the 2020 Olympics.

First introduced to Korea in 1995, wakeboarding quickly took root. In 2009, the Korea Water Ski Association became the Korea Waterski and Wakeboard Association. Since then, the sport became an official category in the four annual nationwide competitions hosted by KWWA, adding to the popularity of the sport.

Though wakeboarding may look daunting, riders say it is not difficult nor dangerous.

“Everyone is required to wear life jackets, so even if they fall in water they can float,” Choi told the Korea Herald. Even people who cannot swim can enjoy wakeboarding.

Wakeboarding is a physically demanding sport. To keep balance, riders use their entire body including their arms, legs, back and thighs. “It’s an intense full body workout that can leave your muscles and joints sore,” Choi said. The strong stream of water beating against the rider has the effect of a full body massage.

For beginners, experts advise riding in areas where the water is clean and still. The ideal condition for wakeboarding is a lake with little waves. This allows the wake from the motorboat to form an even V shape without breaking. Experts say riders should avoid locations that are overcrowded by barges, as excessive riders cause waves that ruin a wakeboarding session. Many tend to go in July or August, when the water is warmer.

Wakeboarding is available at Han River, but many Seoulites prefer to go out to Cheongpyeong, Gapyeong and Yangpyeong. “The true charm of wakeboarding is that you get to leave the city and enjoy pristine nature,” Choi said. Enjoying sports in clean air and water heals you, he added.

Choi advises newcomers to join wakeboarding communities. “Wakeboarding is an exhibitionist sport. Private courses are okay, but there won’t be many people in the audience to watch and evaluate you.” Clubs have beginners and pros, so it is the best place to learn. In a community, professional riders help correct newcomers’ riding pose and teach them know how, Choi said.

In addition, one can carpool or borrow equipment from a fellow member, which reduces cost.

“Due to climate change, summers are getting longer and hotter. Also, ski resorts are often overcrowded now. So I think wakeboarding will become the main sport in the near future,” said Choi.

(sjlee370@heraldcorp.com)