Whether you crave the exhilaration of doing tricks on a wakeboard, love thrill of wakesurfing, or want to slow down a bit with a SUP or kayak, watersports enthusiasts spend their summers waiting for the next opportunity to get out on the water. Here’s how you can get in on the fun.
Wet and Wonderful, Wakeboard and Wakesurf
“One of the great things about watersports is the whole family can enjoy it together,” says Jen Pratt, who grew up skiing with her dad and brother. Jen and her husband Todd are owners of Annapolis Watersports located on the South River and a new shop on Deep Creek. Now the Pratts are sharing their passion with a third generation, teaching their kids to ski, wakeboard, and wakesurf.
“One of the best ways to get started is to enroll in a class or clinic,” advises Pratt. “Beginners will learn what it’s like to be in and behind the boat, and for those who already have some experience it’s an opportunity to improve their skills. At Annapolis Watersports we offer a series of summer clinics in which we supply all the gear and bring in a pro who works for several hours with small groups of people who want to learn. Last year we had students of all ages, from 8 year-old kids up to older adults.”
Waterski
For competitive-level waterskiing, the Upper Chesapeake, Severn River, and South River Ski Clubs have well-maintained courses designed for tournament boats and skiers. You’ll find some of the most active members are families with multiple generations out on the water. At tournaments, a course is set and skiers go through it multiple times until they fall, hit a ball, or don’t go through a gate. After each successful course completion the tow line is shortened. A normal line is 75 feet, but pros can ski with a line shortened to approximately 40 feet.
Michael Wagener, longtime member of the South River Ski Club says, “Our Club has a long and interesting history, and our course is a gem that’s existed for 40 years. Through the years we’ve run kids’ programs, pulled disabled skiers with special equipment, held social events, and hosted new skiers who don’t own boats. Although the course is expensive to maintain we've been fortunate to have members who’ve worked tirelessly to keep it in good condition.
“We used to be the only location that could host all three tournament events— jump, tricks, and slalom; however, today most tournaments are held on freshwater lakes because the water is smoother, and fresh water is a little slower (which is good for skiers who approach turns at speeds in excess of 50 mph). But we still have an excellent practice site on the South River, and we’ve had national and world record holders come out of Annapolis.”
Wagener continues, “We usually ski before 9 a.m. because that’s when there is less boat traffic, and the water is smooth. While wakeboarders love big wake, waterskiers want no wake. At tournament level, skiing requires a lot of technique and strength. It should be predictable and exacting, and even a little unanticipated wake from other boats can be dangerous.”
What Type of Boat Is Best?
“Boat ownership is a significant commitment, so you’ll want to determine what kind of boat you need based on your interests,” says Pratt. “Potential buyers should think about how many people will be on the boat and how they intend to use it 80 percent of the time. If you just want to get around the river and occasionally throw in a tube, there are many different recreational cross-purpose boats at reasonable prices, especially if you’re open to a used boat.
“However, if you want to mostly wakeboard or wakesurf, there are boats built specifically for those purposes, and other types of boats may not perform up to the owners’ expectations, especially as their skills progress. Sometimes we see people trade in boats after two or three years because their skills exceed what the boat can do, so I suggest shopping for a boat at a place that sells a lot of the class of boat you want, and be sure to ask a lot of questions. Wakeboarding and wakesurfing magazines are good places to learn about boat brands and what to look for, and there’s a lot of information on the Internet, too.”
A reputable dealer should offer a demo ride as well as support after the purchase. “We go out with our new owners and coach them on how to operate the boat properly when towing a skier, wakeboarder, or wakesurfer,” says Pratt. “Going out early to get smooth water is important. In fact, when you go is almost more important than where you go,” she emphasizes. “Although with wakesurfing you’ll want to find wide and deep areas because you’ll need deeper water to get the proper wave height, shape, and push.”
Know Before You Go
● Only vessels with Department of Natural Resource inspection decals may enter slalom courses.
● You need three people to ski, tube, wakesurf, or wakeboard— the boat operator, the observer, and the person being towed.
● Operators and observers must be 12 years of age or older, and the person being towed must wear a personal flotation device.
● Personal Watercraft (PWCs) used for towing must have the capacity to carry at least three persons.
● You may only tow a skier from sunrise to sunset.
● Towing vessels must stay at least 100 feet from shore, piers, bridges, people in the water, and other vessels.
Basic Towing Hand Signals
- Speed up the boat: Thumb up
- Slow down the boat: Thumb down
- Cut Motor/Stop: Slashing motion over neck
- Turn the boat: Circle motion with arm overhead then point in desired direction
- Return to dock: Pat on head
- Speed and boat path okay or signals understood: Okay signal with hand
- Skier okay after falling: Hands clasped over head
More Resourcesdnr.state.md.us/boating/pdfs/waterski.pdfdgif.virginia.gov/boating/wog/water-skiing-safety.aspdnr2.maryland.gov/boating/Pages/safetyPWC.aspxGet Started with Stand up Paddleboarding (SUP)
If you’re ready to try stand up paddleboarding but not quite sure how to get started, we’ve got answers. There are plenty of SUP rental companies throughout the Chesapeake, but if it’s your first time on a paddleboard, a lesson is recommended. Most beginner lessons are only an hour long and afterwards you should be proficient enough to paddle solo on the water.
In a good beginner SUP course, you should expect to learn basic paddling strokes (forward, backwards, turning), how to stop, brief rules of the road, and how to get back onto your board if you fall off in deep water. A good instructor will teach strokes on land first and then have the class practice them in the water. They should also go over how to properly size a paddle and board for each person, and how to launch a paddleboard safely into the water. For beginners, a longer, wider board is recommended for stability.
Many but not all recreational paddlers are boaters as well, but for those of you who aren’t, it is important to briefly go over who has the right away, especially in congested waterways like Baltimore’s Inner Harbor or Annapolis’ City Dock. Finally, it is very important to know how to pull yourself back onto your board if you have fallen off in water over your head. And everyone, experienced paddlers and novices alike, should always wear an ankle leash while SUPing so that you do not get separated from your board if you fall off.
Before committing to a lesson, feel free to ask instructors what they will be going over to make sure that you leave a happy camper. If you are new to the sport it is always best to try a lesson first, and in the end you will be the more proficient paddler for it.
Questions for SUP outfitters and instructors:
- Does the company employ certified paddling instructors?
- On what body of water will I learn? Is it flat or choppy water, in a harbor, or on a creek?
- What type of equipment does the company have?
What’s New with SUP?
- LED illuminated paddleboards for moonlight paddles
- SUPing with your pup
- SUP Yoga
- Fishing and/or camping from a paddleboard: Several SUP companies now make larger, sturdier boards, perfect for stowing gear, and some even have built in rod holders.
- Whitewater Paddleboarding with inflatable SUPs
Where to Go?
- Annapolis Canoe and Kayak: Rentals, equipment demos, fun paddling outings, races, and gear for sale. annapoliscanoeandkayak.com
- Capital Sup, Annapolis: Lessons, rentals, guided tours, SUP yoga, fitness classes, night paddles featuring LED illuminated boards, and race training programs. capitalsupbiz.com
- DelMarVa Board Sport Adventures, Fenwick Island, DE: rentals, SUP yoga, night paddles featuring LED illuminated boards, and excursion tours. delmarvaboardsportadventures.com
- East of Maui, Annapolis: Lessons, boards and gear for sale. eastofmauiboardshop.com
- Potomac Paddlesports, Potomac, MD: ACA SUP certification (levels 1-3), lessons, SUP yoga, SUP fitness and racing, whitewater SUP, and gear for sale. potomacpaddlesports.com
- Shore Pedal & Paddle, St. Michaels: lessons, rentals, tours, team building excursions, and boards for sale. shorepedalandpaddle.com
- Stand Up Paddle Annapolis: lessons, rentals, boards for sale, and race training groups. supannapolis.com
- Ultimate Watersports, Baltimore: lessons, rentals, boards for sale, SUP yoga, SUP with your dog, nature tours, and moonlight paddles. ultimatewatersports.comTubing
Tubing is a quick and easy way to quench your thirst for fun. Just throw that puppy off the stern, hop on, and you’re off. No real balance, strength, or skill required, making it the perfect towing option for little kids and underachieving adults. “Tubes” vary from a simple inner tube to some fancy-smancy get-ups with seatbacks and drink holders. How can so much fun be so easy?
Jetski
With more than 12,500 registered personal watercraft (PWC) in Maryland alone, the Bay is brimming with jetski enthusiasts. Some drivers prefer a PWC when towing kids because they and the spotter are low to the water, which makes it easier to communicate with the rider, plus there’s no prop to worry about. To find others who share your PWC passion look online for groups such as the Up’er Chesapeake Jetski Fanatics meet-up group and Jet Ski the Chesapeake Facebook page.
Kayak Fishing
There is nothing like the exhilarating experience of being pulled around by a fish, and even a five pound rockfish will yank your kayak around a bit. Kayak fishing is awesome because it’s relatively inexpensive and affords you lots of mobility. Once you have your rig all geared up, there are minimal costs associated with getting out on the water, and the ease of rooftop transportation enables you to explore lots of waterways.
PropTalk graphics guru Zach Ditmars loves kayak fishing and says, “Recently I decided to go out for a quick leisurely paddle through Annapolis Harbor just before dusk. I didn’t expect to catch anything as it was nearly dead low tide, but I grabbed a light rod anyway. In just an hour and a half I was able to paddle a few miles, see a few friends, and catch over a dozen fish. All this while watching a beautiful sunset; that’s why I love kayak fishing.” As of the end of May, Ditmars had caught eight fish species (two shy of the PropTalk Fishing Challenge) from his kayak and launched from at least a dozen different locations in Maryland and Virginia. Visit Maryland's Online Water Access Guide for ideas on where to start your next kayak fishing adventure: dnr2.maryland.gov/Boating/Pages/water-access/boatramps.aspx
by Beth Crabtree
Wet and Wonderful, Wakeboard and Wakesurf
“One of the great things about watersports is the whole family can enjoy it together,” says Jen Pratt, who grew up skiing with her dad and brother. Jen and her husband Todd are owners of Annapolis Watersports located on the South River and a new shop on Deep Creek. Now the Pratts are sharing their passion with a third generation, teaching their kids to ski, wakeboard, and wakesurf.
“One of the best ways to get started is to enroll in a class or clinic,” advises Pratt. “Beginners will learn what it’s like to be in and behind the boat, and for those who already have some experience it’s an opportunity to improve their skills. At Annapolis Watersports we offer a series of summer clinics in which we supply all the gear and bring in a pro who works for several hours with small groups of people who want to learn. Last year we had students of all ages, from 8 year-old kids up to older adults.”
Waterski
For competitive-level waterskiing, the Upper Chesapeake, Severn River, and South River Ski Clubs have well-maintained courses designed for tournament boats and skiers. You’ll find some of the most active members are families with multiple generations out on the water. At tournaments, a course is set and skiers go through it multiple times until they fall, hit a ball, or don’t go through a gate. After each successful course completion the tow line is shortened. A normal line is 75 feet, but pros can ski with a line shortened to approximately 40 feet.
Michael Wagener, longtime member of the South River Ski Club says, “Our Club has a long and interesting history, and our course is a gem that’s existed for 40 years. Through the years we’ve run kids’ programs, pulled disabled skiers with special equipment, held social events, and hosted new skiers who don’t own boats. Although the course is expensive to maintain we've been fortunate to have members who’ve worked tirelessly to keep it in good condition.
“We used to be the only location that could host all three tournament events— jump, tricks, and slalom; however, today most tournaments are held on freshwater lakes because the water is smoother, and fresh water is a little slower (which is good for skiers who approach turns at speeds in excess of 50 mph). But we still have an excellent practice site on the South River, and we’ve had national and world record holders come out of Annapolis.”
Wagener continues, “We usually ski before 9 a.m. because that’s when there is less boat traffic, and the water is smooth. While wakeboarders love big wake, waterskiers want no wake. At tournament level, skiing requires a lot of technique and strength. It should be predictable and exacting, and even a little unanticipated wake from other boats can be dangerous.”
What Type of Boat Is Best?
“Boat ownership is a significant commitment, so you’ll want to determine what kind of boat you need based on your interests,” says Pratt. “Potential buyers should think about how many people will be on the boat and how they intend to use it 80 percent of the time. If you just want to get around the river and occasionally throw in a tube, there are many different recreational cross-purpose boats at reasonable prices, especially if you’re open to a used boat.
“However, if you want to mostly wakeboard or wakesurf, there are boats built specifically for those purposes, and other types of boats may not perform up to the owners’ expectations, especially as their skills progress. Sometimes we see people trade in boats after two or three years because their skills exceed what the boat can do, so I suggest shopping for a boat at a place that sells a lot of the class of boat you want, and be sure to ask a lot of questions. Wakeboarding and wakesurfing magazines are good places to learn about boat brands and what to look for, and there’s a lot of information on the Internet, too.”
A reputable dealer should offer a demo ride as well as support after the purchase. “We go out with our new owners and coach them on how to operate the boat properly when towing a skier, wakeboarder, or wakesurfer,” says Pratt. “Going out early to get smooth water is important. In fact, when you go is almost more important than where you go,” she emphasizes. “Although with wakesurfing you’ll want to find wide and deep areas because you’ll need deeper water to get the proper wave height, shape, and push.”
Know Before You Go
● Only vessels with Department of Natural Resource inspection decals may enter slalom courses.
● You need three people to ski, tube, wakesurf, or wakeboard— the boat operator, the observer, and the person being towed.
● Operators and observers must be 12 years of age or older, and the person being towed must wear a personal flotation device.
● Personal Watercraft (PWCs) used for towing must have the capacity to carry at least three persons.
● You may only tow a skier from sunrise to sunset.
● Towing vessels must stay at least 100 feet from shore, piers, bridges, people in the water, and other vessels.
Basic Towing Hand Signals
- Speed up the boat: Thumb up
- Slow down the boat: Thumb down
- Cut Motor/Stop: Slashing motion over neck
- Turn the boat: Circle motion with arm overhead then point in desired direction
- Return to dock: Pat on head
- Speed and boat path okay or signals understood: Okay signal with hand
- Skier okay after falling: Hands clasped over head
More Resources
dnr.state.md.us/boating/pdfs/waterski.pdf
dgif.virginia.gov/boating/wog/water-skiing-safety.asp
dnr2.maryland.gov/boating/Pages/safetyPWC.aspx
Get Started with Stand up Paddleboarding (SUP)
If you’re ready to try stand up paddleboarding but not quite sure how to get started, we’ve got answers. There are plenty of SUP rental companies throughout the Chesapeake, but if it’s your first time on a paddleboard, a lesson is recommended. Most beginner lessons are only an hour long and afterwards you should be proficient enough to paddle solo on the water.
In a good beginner SUP course, you should expect to learn basic paddling strokes (forward, backwards, turning), how to stop, brief rules of the road, and how to get back onto your board if you fall off in deep water. A good instructor will teach strokes on land first and then have the class practice them in the water. They should also go over how to properly size a paddle and board for each person, and how to launch a paddleboard safely into the water. For beginners, a longer, wider board is recommended for stability.
Many but not all recreational paddlers are boaters as well, but for those of you who aren’t, it is important to briefly go over who has the right away, especially in congested waterways like Baltimore’s Inner Harbor or Annapolis’ City Dock. Finally, it is very important to know how to pull yourself back onto your board if you have fallen off in water over your head. And everyone, experienced paddlers and novices alike, should always wear an ankle leash while SUPing so that you do not get separated from your board if you fall off.
Before committing to a lesson, feel free to ask instructors what they will be going over to make sure that you leave a happy camper. If you are new to the sport it is always best to try a lesson first, and in the end you will be the more proficient paddler for it.
Questions for SUP outfitters and instructors:
- Does the company employ certified paddling instructors?
- On what body of water will I learn? Is it flat or choppy water, in a harbor, or on a creek?
- What type of equipment does the company have?
What’s New with SUP?
- LED illuminated paddleboards for moonlight paddles
- SUPing with your pup
- SUP Yoga
- Fishing and/or camping from a paddleboard: Several SUP companies now make larger, sturdier boards, perfect for stowing gear, and some even have built in rod holders.
- Whitewater Paddleboarding with inflatable SUPs
Where to Go?
- Annapolis Canoe and Kayak: Rentals, equipment demos, fun paddling outings, races, and gear for sale. annapoliscanoeandkayak.com
- Capital Sup, Annapolis: Lessons, rentals, guided tours, SUP yoga, fitness classes, night paddles featuring LED illuminated boards, and race training programs. capitalsupbiz.com
- DelMarVa Board Sport Adventures, Fenwick Island, DE: rentals, SUP yoga, night paddles featuring LED illuminated boards, and excursion tours. delmarvaboardsportadventures.com
- East of Maui, Annapolis: Lessons, boards and gear for sale. eastofmauiboardshop.com
- Potomac Paddlesports, Potomac, MD: ACA SUP certification (levels 1-3), lessons, SUP yoga, SUP fitness and racing, whitewater SUP, and gear for sale. potomacpaddlesports.com
- Shore Pedal & Paddle, St. Michaels: lessons, rentals, tours, team building excursions, and boards for sale. shorepedalandpaddle.com
- Stand Up Paddle Annapolis: lessons, rentals, boards for sale, and race training groups. supannapolis.com
- Ultimate Watersports, Baltimore: lessons, rentals, boards for sale, SUP yoga, SUP with your dog, nature tours, and moonlight paddles. ultimatewatersports.com
Tubing
Tubing is a quick and easy way to quench your thirst for fun. Just throw that puppy off the stern, hop on, and you’re off. No real balance, strength, or skill required, making it the perfect towing option for little kids and underachieving adults. “Tubes” vary from a simple inner tube to some fancy-smancy get-ups with seatbacks and drink holders. How can so much fun be so easy?
Jetski
With more than 12,500 registered personal watercraft (PWC) in Maryland alone, the Bay is brimming with jetski enthusiasts. Some drivers prefer a PWC when towing kids because they and the spotter are low to the water, which makes it easier to communicate with the rider, plus there’s no prop to worry about. To find others who share your PWC passion look online for groups such as the Up’er Chesapeake Jetski Fanatics meet-up group and Jet Ski the Chesapeake Facebook page.
Kayak Fishing
There is nothing like the exhilarating experience of being pulled around by a fish, and even a five pound rockfish will yank your kayak around a bit. Kayak fishing is awesome because it’s relatively inexpensive and affords you lots of mobility. Once you have your rig all geared up, there are minimal costs associated with getting out on the water, and the ease of rooftop transportation enables you to explore lots of waterways.
PropTalk graphics guru Zach Ditmars loves kayak fishing and says, “Recently I decided to go out for a quick leisurely paddle through Annapolis Harbor just before dusk. I didn’t expect to catch anything as it was nearly dead low tide, but I grabbed a light rod anyway. In just an hour and a half I was able to paddle a few miles, see a few friends, and catch over a dozen fish. All this while watching a beautiful sunset; that’s why I love kayak fishing.” As of the end of May, Ditmars had caught eight fish species (two shy of the PropTalk Fishing Challenge) from his kayak and launched from at least a dozen different locations in Maryland and Virginia. Visit Maryland's Online Water Access Guide for ideas on where to start your next kayak fishing adventure: dnr2.maryland.gov/Boating/Pages/water-access/boatramps.aspx
by Beth Crabtree