Wakesurfing is a water sport in which a person surfs the wake that is created by the boat. Wakesurfers ride without rope, they use it only to be pulled by the boat from the water. After getting up on the wake, typically by use of a tow rope, the wakesurfers will drop the rope, and ride the steep face below the wave's peak in a fashion reminiscent of surfing. Wakesurfers use special boards, designed specifically for this sport.

The origins of wakesurfing are a subject of contention, as various individuals and companies lay claim to its inception. Some assertions trace the roots of boat-surfing or wake-surfing back as far as the 1920s, but there is a lack of credible evidence to support these claims. Visual records and written media from the 1950s and 1960s depict surfers actively riding surfboards behind motorboats in ocean settings. During the mid-1960s, numerous surfboard manufacturers began asserting their involvement in crafting boards specifically designed for riding wakes.

The trend of riding surfboards behind boats persisted throughout the 1970s and 1980s. The boards used in this practice gradually evolved into shorter forms, mirroring the progression of shortboards in traditional surfing. As boards became shorter, practitioners drew inspiration from windsurfing and sailboarding by introducing foot-strapping devices on the boards to secure their feet. Utilizing tow ropes and making sharp turns and jumps off wakes gave rise to sports like skurfing, skiboarding, and eventually wakeboarding.

The increasing popularity of wakeboarding prompted advancements in watercraft technology to amplify the size of wakes. This development subsequently paved the way for wakesurfing to step into the spotlight. Numerous trailblazers in the sport, including but not limited to figures like Tim Lopes, Jerry Price, Jeff Page, Rick Lee, among others, are recognized for their pivotal roles in shaping modern wakesurfing. The first US design patent for a wakesurf board was granted to Alfonso Corona in 1997.

In wakesurfing, there are 2 different disciplines, divided by the board type that the rider uses (which affects the style and tricks that are or could be performed). Riders can surf behind the boat using a skim or surf board.

Skim style wakesurf boards are characterized by their smaller size, typically featuring a narrower profile and less buoyancy compared to surf style boards. These boards are designed to mimic the feel of skimboarding and are favored by riders who enjoy technical tricks, limitless spins, and shove maneuvers. This style of riding is probably even closer to skate boarding than historical ocean surfing.

Surf style wakesurf boards were originally designed to emulate the feel of traditional surfing, with a focus on carving and riding the face of the wave. Modern surf style wakesurfing has evolved beyond traditional carving techniques, with riders now incorporating diverse stances and aerial maneuvers from various board sports disciplines. Surf boards are typically larger and more buoyant than skim style boards, offering better stability while riders push the boundaries of aerial tricks.

Boats without proper exhaust routing can expose the rider to dangerous levels of carbon monoxide. Inboard ski-style boats direct exhaust beneath the hull, reducing CO risk.” With the rise of wakesurfing in recent years many individuals have attempted surfing behind boats ill-equipped to wakesurf. Boats with outboard motors or sterndrive propulsion are not suited for wake surfing and lead to heighted risk, possible maiming or even death. The only types of boats safe to surf behind are direct drive or V-drive boats, this is because the propeller is located far beneath the boat rather than behind the boat.