If you’ve never tried wake surfing before, the first session can feel like a lot of unknowns. What do you actually do? Where do you start? What if you can’t stand up? This post is a straightforward walkthrough of what a first wake surfing session at Absolute Beach Boys looks like â so you arrive knowing what to expect rather than guessing.
Before You Arrive
When you book via WhatsApp, we’ll confirm your session time, date, and the address: Marina Country Club, 11 Marina Grove, Singapore 018946. There’s a multi-storey carpark on site, or you can take the MRT to Punggol station and grab a short taxi or Grab ride.
What to bring:
- Swimwear or board shorts â you will get wet
- Rash guard or water-appropriate top (recommended for sun protection)
- Sunscreen, applied before you arrive
- A change of clothes and a towel
- Water or a drink â it’s warm on the water
Leave valuables in your car or a locker if possible. Phones can come on the boat for filming â just be mindful that they’re on open water.
Arrival and Briefing
We meet you at the jetty at Marina Country Club. Before anyone gets in the water, the coach runs through a brief safety and technique overview:
- How the deep-water start works (lying in the water, letting the boat pull you up)
- Where to position your feet on the board
- What to do when you fall (let go, stay relaxed, float)
- Hand signals between rider and boat
The briefing is short and practical â not a lecture. Most first-timers feel ready to try within a few minutes of hearing it.
Board and Life Jacket Fitting
We match you to the right board based on your weight and height before the session begins. A board that’s too small makes getting up harder; we err on the side of more volume for beginners. Life jackets are fitted individually â a properly fitted jacket should feel snug but not restrictive, and should not ride up when you’re in the water.
The Deep-Water Start
The first thing you’ll do in the water is the deep-water start. You float on your back in the water with the board on your feet and the rope in your hands, arms straight. The boat slowly pulls forward â you resist the urge to pull back, and let the boat do the work of lifting you to a standing position.
This is where most beginners make their first few attempts before standing up. The most common mistake is bending the arms or trying to stand too early. The coach will talk you through the corrections in real time via the microphone system â so you hear “wait for the pull, let your legs straighten” while you’re still in the water, not five minutes later.
Your First Rides
Once you’re up and standing, you’ll be holding the rope behind the boat. The goal at this stage is simply to find your balance: feet roughly shoulder-width apart, knees soft, body slightly angled to the side (not square to the boat). Don’t look at your feet â look at the horizon or the boat.
The coach on the boat will be watching your body position and giving feedback through the microphone. “Shift your weight back” or “bend your knees more” lands differently when you’re still on the wave rather than after you’ve already fallen.
Dropping the Rope
At some point in the session â often within the first 90 minutes â you’ll be in a position to try dropping the rope and surfing the wake under your own power. The coach will tell you when. You let go of the rope, shift your weight to pump the board against the wave, and keep yourself in the pocket of the wake without any mechanical assistance.
Many first-timers drop the rope in their first session. Some take a second session. Either way, it’s the milestone the whole sport is built around â and the moment it clicks, the rest of wake surfing makes sense.
After Your Session
Sessions run for 90 minutes of water time. After you’re done, Marina Country Club has on-site dining options if you want to extend the day. The club has changing facilities and showers.
Most people are surprised by how tired they are afterward â in a good way. You’ve been using muscles you didn’t expect (particularly core and legs) while your brain was focused on balance. It hits after you’re back on dry land.
Book Your First Session
WhatsApp us with your preferred date, the number of people in your group, and any questions. We’ll confirm availability and pricing directly â no complicated booking forms.
Sessions at Marina Country Club, Punggol. All equipment and coaching included â just show up ready to get on the water.