What to Do in Winter if You’re a Waterskier or Wakeboarder
When the water gets colder and the days grow shorter, it can be tough for waterskiers and wakeboarders to stay stoked. But winter doesn’t have to mean a total break from your sport. Whether you're chasing performance goals, staying fit, or just keeping the stoke alive, here are some solid ways to make the most of the off-season.
If you're lucky enough to live somewhere with a mild winter—or you don't mind a little chill—there’s no reason to pack away your gear just yet. Cold-weather riding is alive and well for the committed.
Gear Up: Invest in a good wetsuit or drysuit. A 4/3mm or 5/4mm suit with a thermal lining, neoprene gloves, and booties can keep you surprisingly warm.
Choose Your Time: Go for midday sessions when the sun is highest. Crisp winter glass is unbeatable.
Warm Up Right: Bring a thermos of hot water for a post-ride rinse or pre-warm your suit.
Winter is the perfect time to work on strength, flexibility, and injury prevention.
Strength Training: Focus on core, legs, and grip strength—your power base for both water skiing and wakeboarding.
Mobility Work: Yoga or dynamic stretching can help your body stay limber and reduce injury risk when the season kicks off again.
Balance Training: Indo boards, Bosu balls, or slacklines simulate the instability of riding and improve control.
Now's your chance to inspect, repair, and upgrade your equipment.
Check Your Rope and Handle: Frays or damage? Replace them before next season.
Fin Tuning: Play with fin settings or bindings—small tweaks can lead to big improvements.
Board or Ski Maintenance: Give everything a good clean, tighten screws, and check inserts.
The off-season is prime time for studying technique, building your mental game, and staying inspired.
Review Footage: Watch your own riding videos and take notes on what to improve.
Online Coaching: Plenty of pros offer digital coaching or tutorials. Take advantage of them.
Set Goals: Define what you want to achieve next season—whether it’s a new trick, PB, or podium finish.
If you're into snowboarding or skiing, you're in luck. These sports build many of the same skills: edge control, balance, and carving power. Plus, they keep your stoke for board sports high through the winter.
Just because you’re not on the water every weekend doesn’t mean the community disappears.
Organize Winter Meetups: Bonfires, gym sessions, or trips to the snow.
Share Old Clips: Post your best summer memories to social and keep the vibe going.
Plan a Trip: Start dreaming about a warm-weather escape or comps for next season.
If you're serious about progression and need a break from the cold, plan a trip to warmer waters. Australia’s North, Florida, Thailand, or even a cable park in a tropical location might be your ticket to year-round riding.
Winter doesn’t have to be the off-season—it can be your secret weapon. Stay sharp, stay strong, and come back to the water better than ever.