Global Wakesurf Trick List

Defined terms are shown in Upper Case. See the Basic Terms section for their definition. The terminology and language in wakesurfing has been derived by participants from a number of sources with some terms carrying over from skateboarding, surfing and wakeboarding, and we have seen different terminology used by different wakesurfers. There is no standard document of reference we have seen so we wanted to write our own trick list.

Some terms in wakesurfing are used with more than one meaning and this can add confusion. For example ‘Regular’ means left foot forward and the opposite to ‘Goofy’ which means right foot forward. But ‘Regular’ is sometimes used to mean Normal foot forward and the opposite of ‘Switch’.

In this list we’ve only included tricks on the rider's ‘Normal’ side of the Wave starting Normal Foot Forward Toeside and Switch Heelside; Tricks can be mirrored on the other side of the Wave, where you would be Switch Toeside and Normal Foot Forward Heelside. Note that in the trick list itself we have used ‘Normal Foot Forward’ as the opposite to Switch.

The terms Front/Frontside and Back/Backside have even more uses, and sometimes have found their way into the trick names; therefore it's not possible for us in this trick list to stick to one usage of those terms; we have been as clear as we can in the trick definitions. And some call all wakesurfing the other side of Wave ‘Backside’, which can add even more confusion with other uses of that term. Refer to the list of Basic Terms for further clarification. Most tricks have been defined in the trick list with a given starting position, normally Toeside or Heelside. In theory some tricks could be started in an alternative position e.g in the Flats or as part of a Combo, and in those cases the definitions would need adjustment, particularly with regard to direction. Some tricks can be performed starting either Fins Front or Fins Back and in our description we have included the most common variations.

Defining Direction - Spins

For Spins we use language such as ‘turn front foot into Wave’. This way of referencing the direction only works when we have defined the start position and the rider is Toeside or Heelside. If you start in an alternative position, where no foot is ‘front’ in principle the trick will be the same as the definition.

Defining Direction - Shuvs

Direction of Shuvs cannot be referenced to Nose or Tail as you might be starting Fins Front or Fins Back. For Shuvs we use language such as ‘back foot kicks board forward into/away from the Wave.’ Again if you start in an alternative position rather than Heelside or Toeside then ‘into/away from the Wave’ won’t apply, and no foot will be ‘back’ but in principle the trick will be the same as the definition.

Defining Direction - Varials

For 180 Varials, we use language such as ‘jumps with front to boat and lands at 180 degrees’. If you define the start position, this way of referencing works, because you are only doing a 180. So for 360 varials where the rider does a full rotation and will have both front and back to the boat at some stage of the trick, instead we use language such as ‘… jump 360 degrees turning front foot towards Wave’ This language works if the rider is Heelside or Toeside. If a Varial starts in an alternative position (such as the Drifter position) then no foot will be ‘front’ and ‘turning front foot towards the Wave’ won’t apply, but in principle the trick will be the same as the definition (from the Drifter position, for example, moving left or right foot towards the Wave depending whether you are a Regular rider or a Goofy rider).

Basic Terms

Wakesurfer Surfer or Rider	person riding the board.	Wakesurfer, Rider and Surfer are used interchangeably.
Wave or Wake	Wake of the boat.	the two terms are used interchangeably by some wakesurfers but we have used Wave throughout.
Regular	1. when your preferred riding position is left foot foward. 2. Normal Foot Forward.	the strict definition of ‘Regular'’ is left foot forward as preferred stance (as opposed to Goofy riders who have right foot forwards as preferred stance). Left foot forward is called ‘Regular’ as it is the more common stance preference. Regular is also used by some to mean normal foot forward - (as opposed to Switch which means other foot forwards) e.g. Regular trick vs Switch trick. given there are two usages of 'Regular', for the purpose of this trick list we have used ‘normal foot forward’ to indicate preferred stance so that we are clear the trick can be with preferred foot forward either right or left.
Normal Foot Forward	riding with your preferred foot forward.
Goofy	when your preferred riding position is right foot forward.
Switch	riding other foot forwards to your normal foot.
Toeside	toes facing the Wave.
Heelside	heels facing the Wave.
		on your normal side of the Wave you will ride Toeside and Switch Heelside. on the other side of the Wave you will ride Heelside and Switch Toeside.
The terms Front and Back and Frontside and Backside can be confusing as they are applied in more than one way in wakesurfing. Frontside and Backside are sometimes used to distinguish the way you are turning:
Frontside	turning front to the boat first.
Backside or Blind	turning back to the boat first.
Backside is sometimes used to refer to any surfing the other side of the Wave:
Backside	surfing the other side of the Wave.	derived from ocean surfing, Some call this Backside (Toeside and Switch) whether you are Switch Toeside (front to the Wave) or Normal Foot Forward Heelside (back to the Wave)
For Shuvs the terms Front and Back are used to reference the direction the board moves:
Front	back foot kicks board frontwards/forward into/away from the Wave.	we don’t refer to Nose or Tail moving into / away from the Wave here because you could be starting Fins Front or Fins Back. whether the kick is into or away from the Wave depends whether you are Toeside or Heelside.
Back	back foot kicks board back away from/into the Wave.
in skateboarding and cable wakeboarding the terms frontside and backside are also used to distinguish between the sides you approach an obstacle: Frontside - Facing the Obstacle; Backside - Back to the Obstacle. Consequently, we have seen the term Frontside used to refer the Wakesurfer facing the Wave and Backside when the Wakesurfer has their back to the Wave, but using the terms this way is confusing for wakesurfing and should be avoided. In Switch Frontside tricks you start with your back to the Wave, for example.
Nose	the end of the board normally at the front.
Tail	the end of the board normally at the back (with the fins on the underside).
Rail	the edge of the board.
Fins Back	riding the board the normal way round, with the nose at the front and the fins at the back.
Fins Front or Fins Forward	riding with the tail of the board forward, and the fins at the front.
to Revert	finishing a trick Fins Front.
In the Flats	outside of the the Wave (referring to where a trick is performed).
On Top	on top of the Wave (referring to where a trick is performed).
Grab	reaching and gripping the Rail of the board.
Double Grab	grabbing with both hands at the same time.
Stall	stopping the board, often by putting weight on the rearmost foot.
Bottom Turn	a turn wide of the Wave.
Slash	slashing with your back foot driving the board into the Wave. The aim is to create a spray. Normally performed anywhere from midway up the Wave to the top of the Wave.	Cutback is a surfing term not normally used in wakesurfing.
Snap	a quicker turn of the board than a Slash. Not primarily for generating spray.
Carving	moving the board left and right, up and down the Wave, or in the flats, by moving from one edge of the board to the other.
Pumping	moving/“pumping” your legs tp shifting weight in sync with the board's movements in order to gain momentum. This can be fast to try to gain speed or catch the Wave in front. Or slower just to move the board up and down the Wave.
Transfer	moving from one side of the Wave, over the Wave to the other side.
Combo	more than one trick put together, without a break or carving in between, but still coming down the Wave before going up to start next trick. Where a combo has its own name we’ve included it in the most appropriate trick section.	Examples: 1. Shuv In, ride down and up Wave and Front Shuv would be called 'Shuv In to Front Shuv Combo'. whereas 2. Shuv 90 on top to Front Shuv 90 as a Combo has its own name ‘Half n Half’.

Global Wakesurf Trick List

by Wakesurf UK

Trick List

Explanatory notes

Defining Direction - Spins

Defining Direction - Shuvs

Defining Direction - Varials

Basic Terms

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