Wakes, Waves, and Watersports on Table Rock Lake

By Lauren Hustead 

 

How many times have you been out on the water and wanted to set out of your comfort zone, but let your fear get the best of you? Learning a new watersport can be challenging, both mentally and physically, but the satisfaction that comes in the wake of the struggle can be the most rewarding part. As someone who grew up around the lake but was never taught how to water ski, wakeboard, or even kneeboard, it was daunting to have joined a new group of friends that all seemed to have 15+ years of watersport experience under their belt. Even as I was entering my 20s, it seemed like I would never reach their skill level. Luckily, I joined a great group of friends that were willing to show me the ropes and never quit on me, just like I didn’t quit even after it took me a full day of struggling to stay upright on combo skis. Although it took me almost a full summer of becoming more comfortable on the water to progress to a slalom, the day finally arrived that I was able to ski steadily and swerve across the wake. No matter your skill-level, this article will go in depth on Table Rock Lake watersports, how to get started, and some quick tips and tricks to remember before going out on the water. My hope is to give watersport enthusiasts of all ages the courage to take a breath, get back up, and always have fun. See you out there! 

 

History of Inshore Watersports 

Watersports date back further in time than most realize. From surfing off the coast of Polynesia and Hawaii in the 1700s, to the first aquaplane board that skimmed across the water while being towed in the early 1900s, it is no question that humans are attracted to riding waves. In 1922, Ralph Samuelson used two pine boards with leather foot binders as skis and was towed behind an outboard boat, becoming the world’s first water skier. Ralph’s creation is seen as the precursor of countless new watersport varieties over the past 100 years. With Table Rock Lake being built in 1958, this was the same time manufacturers created boats specific for water skiing. Jump, trick, slalom, and barefoot skiing all came shortly after as riders pushed the limits of their new inventions. As the evolution of watersports continued, there was a new era of trends on the rise. Banana boards, skurf boards, and kneeboards all became the hottest products on the market in the early 80s. This revolutionized the new phrase “skiboarding,” a mix between water skiing and surfing. In 1985, California surfer Tony Finn developed the Skurfer, the precursor of wakeboarding, which is a smaller surf-like board designed to ride a boat wake and perform aerial maneuvers. The Skurfer had its brief moment in the spotlight before long-time ski manufacturer Herb O’Brien invented the first compression molded wakeboard with an exceptionally thin profile. Unlike the Skurfer, O’Brien’s HO Hyperlite wakeboard allowed for easier starts and improved performance. Wakeboarding was handed the symbolic watersport torch in the early 90s and has made its mark as one of the most popular to this day. Surfing and foiling behind wake boats gained popularity in the early 2000s when boat manufacturers improved their technology to make bigger waves for wakeboarders. These sports continue to advance today with new riders stepping up to the challenge. As we look forward to the next generation of watersports, there is no doubt these athletes will continue pushing the limits of what is possible. 

 

 

Combo Skiing, Slalom Skiing, Barefoot Skiing 

Water skiing can be fun for the whole family as there are a few variations from beginners to advanced. To get started, you will need a lifejacket, a ski rope, and a good attitude. Skiers are commonly towed behind a direct drive boat, a centered engine that makes the wake small and easily crossable for all types of skiers. Other engine types such as an outboard motor will work too if you do not have access to a ski boat. Combo skiing attaches one ski to each foot as you get pulled out of the water at 25-28 mph from a crouching position. With your knees tucked into your chest and arms straight, focus on staying leaned back until the rope starts to hold pressure and pulls you out of the water. This is a beginner-friendly sport and can be a great way to work on balance and gain confidence on the water. Be sure to remember that you can always blame the boat driver if you aren’t able to get up on your first few tries, we call this a “driver error.” 

Slalom skiing uses a single ski with your feet staggered in bindings. Stepping up to a slalom will allow you to ride at speeds from 28-36mph and start carving on the edge of the ski. A tip to know you’re ready to step up to a slalom is if you can pick one foot up off the water while combo skiing. If your experience was anything like mine while learning, you will walk away with tons of water in your nose by the end of the day (worth it!). A sunrise ski set is one of my favorite ways to start a perfect summer day. Ever heard the phrase “early bird gets the worm”? Here on Table Rock Lake, the “early skier gets the morning glass.” 

Barefoot skiing is in the same family, minus the skis. With the boat reaching maximum speeds, you will glide on top of the water in a chair position as your bare feet skim along. Most people learn to barefoot off a boom, a metal bar that attaches to the pylon and extends off the side of the boat, then attaches to the bow of the boat for stabilization. Barefooting is the most extreme version of this sport and will take prior training to excel. Trust me, this is a serious rush. The adrenaline junkies of the world should try barefooting at least once in their lifetime. 

 

What Do You Ski?

Feeling confident? Try out one of the four slalom ski courses on Table Rock Lake. The goal is to swerve around the outside of six buoys in a zigzag course without falling or missing a buoy in consecutive passes. There are four public ski courses scattered across Table Rock Lake that can be used to master your skills. As you progress in the skiing world, you will be asked “what do you ski?” to which you would reply, “I ski [length of line] off at [mph]” or “I ski 15’ off at 33 mph.” For reference, pro water skiers hold world records of 41’ off at 34.2 mph for women and 43’ off at 36 mph for men. Practice enough, you might be the next world record holder! 

 

Wakeboarding, Wake Surfing, and Wake Foiling 

Wakeboarding brought the tow boat industry back to life in the early 90s and has made its mark as one of the most popular watersports to this day. A wakeboarder will start with both feet strapped into the board’s bindings with knees bent and elbows tucked into their sides. Once the boat starts moving at 16-19 mph, apply pressure to the board and get pulled up into a sideways standing position. Once comfortable, wakeboarders can attempt tricks like jumping wake to wake or doing aerial flips. To do this, you will need a V-Drive wake boat. Unlike a direct drive, a V-Drive places the engine at the stern of the boat, creating a deeper imprint in the water and making larger wakes. Most wake boats use ballast systems to throw bigger waves and a wake tower as a substitute for a ski pylon. The ski rope attaches to the tower, making it easier to catch air when wakeboarding. 

Wake surfing happens much closer to the back of the boat, allowing surfers to ride the wave directly behind the swim platform. This will require a shorter rope and a board specific for wake surfing. Getting up is like a wakeboard, but there are no bindings to hold your feet steady. Once the boat starts moving at 10-13 mph, you will dig your heels in to pop up vertically into a sideways standing position. Once upon the board, surfers can throw the rope back into the boat and start carving into the wake. Wake surfing is another great way to learn balance and gain confidence while not running so much risk. Best tip? Have fun with it and try new things! If you don’t fall, you don’t learn anything. Always remember to only wake surf behind an inboard boat, not an outboard or an inboard/outboard (I/O). This means that the propeller will not be exposed to the rider and eliminates the chance of contact. 

Do you need a little more challenge on the water but still want that great feeling of surfing across endless waves? Wake foiling is the new kid on the block as far as watersports go. This uses a wakeboard with a mast connecting to a longer fin, called a foil, that resembles airplane wings. The foil is designed to lift the board up out of the water. Wake foils begin to lift the board above water at 8-12 mph and have the option to cruise directly behind the swim platform or as a deep-water start. The main benefit of foiling is that you can do this in almost any water condition and behind any kind of boat. For beginners, start at slow speeds of 4-7 mph and keep your feet flat on the board as you are gently pulled up. Cruising slowly with enough front foot pressure to keep the board flat on the water is the best way to get comfortable with how the foil reacts to your body position. Once you’re ready, you can drop the rope and start pumping your legs to continue riding the waves and elevating the foil out of the water. Mary Murphy, famous for hydrofoiling down the California coast for 50+ miles at age 80, has great advice for future riders: “Don’t let go until your nose hits the water.” 

 

No Boat? No Problem. 

The best part about Table Rock Lake is that there is something for everyone to enjoy. If you do not have access to a boat, try paddle boarding or kayaking. These two sports are beginner friendly and only require a paddleboard or kayak, a personal floatation device, and a paddle. While kayaks are made to be sat in, a SUP, or Stand-Up Paddleboard, is a great core workout as you push the board with strong paddle movements. Keep your feet shoulder width apart and stand up slowly on the board before starting to perform forward, reverse, and sweep strokes. 

 

Marinas and Food on the Water

All marinas listed have rental boats, gas docks, waterfront restaurants, and boat ramp access. 

• East Side: 
  • Cricket Creek Marina
    • Hunt Brother’s Pizza 
  • State Park Marina 
    • Café Bridges 
  • Indian Point Marina 
    • The Floating Café 
    • PRO SHOP: The Ski Shack
  • Port of Kimberling Marina
    • Pier 28 Pizza 
    • *PRO SHOP: William Brother’s Ski and Sports 
• West Side: 
  • Campbell Point Marina 
    • Watsons on the Water
  • Cape Fair Marina 
    • Stuffed and Pressed 
  • Hideaway Marina
    • Hideaway Grill & BBQ

 

Know Before You Go 

Make sure you are prepared for a great day out on the water long before your boat starts floating. Check out the Missouri Boating Laws and Responsibilities handbook for rules, regulations, and tips to stay safe. https://www.mshp.dps.missouri.gov/MSHPWeb/WaterPatrol/moBoatingLawsResponsibilities.html  

 

Always Remember:

1. Boat operators need a boaters safety license if they are born after January 1, 1984 

2. All vessels need enough life jackets for each passenger as well as a paddle, throw cushion, ski flag, and fire extinguisher 

3. Children under 7 years old must wear a USCG-approved life jacket at all times on the water 

4. The ski flag is to be displayed when a person is in the water swimming or before and after being towed doing watersports 

5. Engine should always be off when passengers are in the water near the boat so that the propeller is not rotating 

6. Boats that cause excessive wakes should always operate in the middle of the lake to allow their boat wake time and distance to lose energy