Skurfing

Skurfing is being towed by a fast or moderately fast motorboat while standing on a surfboard.  This sport was invented by Tony Finn from San Diego, California.  This sport was thought up probably as an offshoot from surfing. Surfers were first towed into the open sea by a boat to meet the bigger waves.  Innovations were made on the surfboard by shortening it, and some even had the fins removed.  

It was Tony Finn who made this water activity popular.  He made and sold the Skurfer but the activity did not catch on as fast as other water sports probably because there was not much innovation in the equipments.

Skurfing takes from water skiing, mono-skiing and surfing. It uses a cut off surf board and a shorter tow rope.  Because the rider is near the waves created by the boat, he can use them for acrobatics show. Skurfing is now better known as wakeboarding.

Costs involved are the board, renting a boat, and other accessories such as surfing shorts, eyewear, and sun block.  During cold weather, a wet suit may be necessary to preserve body heat.  Total costs: US$ Upwards of 800. Wakeboarding lessons cost $50 or more.

This sport is different from surfing because of the shorter board used in skurfing, the fins are also removed in wakeboarding.  The surfer relies being propelled and carried on the bigger waves.  The surfer meets the big one by lying on their stomach on the surfboard and paddling with hands towards the volley of waves choosing that wave to ride on.

In skurfing, the rider is towed by a motorboat.  The rider does not use their own power to propel themselves.  He never goes out to meet the big one.

In skiing, the water skier uses two flat and narrow boards strapped to his feet.  He holds in his hands a ski line. A very fast speedboat will then pull him out of the shallow water.  The momentum of the boat keeps the skier afloat while skimming the surface of the water.

Meanwhile, the skurfer balances on his board. He uses a shorter line compared to the skier’s.  This short line brings him closer to the motorboat’s wake.  It is this artificial wave which he rides on, and where he performs acrobatic tricks.

Skurfing as a competitive sport is just taking up. Although not as popular as water skiing, kayaking, surfing and windsailing it is slowly being accepted in many surfing areas of the world. In Western Australia, particularly in the Swan River local events in skurfing are held. The World Sports and Marketing organization includes skurfing in pro wakeboard competitions.

The X Games Wakeboard Competition in the United States features the best male and female competitors.