Step by step · 8 guides

Wakeboarding: from first ride to coach

Start with your first ride on a cable or behind a boat, then work up the Progressive Edge awards. From there you can run a cable, drive the boat, coach or compete. Every step is here in order.

Quick links

Prices

What it costs

Experience day
£70 to £165 per person (coached cable session with kit)
Become qualified
£595 to £850 (BWSW Level 1 and 2, extras included)
Hourly
£70 to £165 an hour (coached cable time)

Typical prices, checked October 2026. The club or coach sets and bills the price.

Governing body

Competitions

Start here

  1. Step 1: How to start wakeboarding in the UKHow to start wakeboarding in the UK.Read the guide →

Riding track

  1. Step 2: BWSW Progressive Edge: the wakeboard rider awards, from Bronze to PlatinumBWSW Progressive Edge: the wakeboard rider awards, from Bronze to Platinum.Read the guide →

Cable track

  1. Step 3: BWSW cable operator qualifications: straight-line and full cableBWSW cable operator qualifications: straight-line and full cable.Read the guide →
  2. Step 4: BWSW Cable Instructor and Cable Coach Levels 1 and 2BWSW Cable Instructor and Cable Coach Levels 1 and 2.Read the guide →

Boat track

The Level 1&2 boat coach course needs Ski Boat Driver 2 plus 10 hours' driving.

  1. Step 5: BWSW Ski Boat Driver 1, 2 and 3, and the ICCBWSW Ski Boat Driver 1, 2 and 3, and the ICC.Read the guide →
  2. Step 6: BWSW Level 1&2 boat coach: coaching water skiing and wakeboardingBWSW Level 1&2 boat coach: coaching water skiing and wakeboarding.Read the guide →

Competition track

  1. Step 7: Wakeboard competitions in the UK: the Nationals, licences and judgingWakeboard competitions in the UK: the Nationals, licences and judging.Read the guide →

For everyone

  1. Step 8: Wakeboarding in the UK: prices, who's in charge and staying safeWakeboarding in the UK: prices, who's in charge and staying safe.Read the guide →

Ready to start? The club map lists some of the UK clubs for this sport, or use the enquiry form to have a coach found for you.