Wake surfing
Also known as: wakesurfing, wake surf video, boat wake surfing
Surfing the wave created behind a slow-moving boat without holding the rope, a sport with close, steady filming from the boat itself.
Updated
What it means
In wake surfing, a specially weighted boat creates a large, clean wake, and the rider surfs that wave with a short board, letting go of the rope once riding. The boat moves slowly, around 16 to 19 km/h, so the rider stays close behind it, often only a few meters away.
That closeness makes wake surfing easy to film well. The rider is right behind the boat, in good light, on a predictable wave. Footage shows carving, spins and airs on the wake, with the boat crew cheering in the foreground. It shares much with cable park and boat wakeboarding footage but has a calmer, surf-like style.
How it works in practice
The classic angle is from the back of the boat, filmed handheld or on a floating grip, with the rider and the wave framed against the water behind. A camera on the boat's tower gives a steady, high view.
A board mount looking back at the rider shows facial expressions and the wave from very close.
Shoot at 60 fps or higher. Wake surfing moves are smooth but quick, and slowed carves and airs look great in an edit. Keep the horizon level and frame some of the boat for context, such as the tower or a cheering friend.
What to watch out for
The boat's engine and exhaust are behind the swim platform, so stay safe when filming from the back, and never get near the propeller.
Footage from the same boat angle quickly repeats. Change angles, swap riders and include reactions from the crew.
Water spray and reflections can affect exposure and focus. Lock exposure for the bright water, and wipe the lens often between runs. Remember that boat bounce adds shake to handheld footage; brace against the boat rather than holding the camera in free air, and keep a tether on it.
How RawClip handles it
RawClip suits a day on the boat: upload clips from every rider and camera, and the AI removes waiting and repeated runs, keeps carves, airs and peak action, and cuts the best moments to the beat in one highlight.