The wakeboarding community is a big one—and somehow, there’s always room for more.

Joining this ever-popular sport might seem like a big process— (what’s the best gear? How can I learn all the coolest tricks?) —but when you get down to it, starting up is simpler than you might imagine. In today’s blog, we’ll be addressing a few of the most common questions that you might have about the sport as well as some great places to bring your board. Take a look.

Where should I start?

Maybe you’re reading about wakeboarding online since you’re itching to enjoy an aquatic getaway sometime soon. If so, we’ve got you covered with ideas on where to get your thrills.

There are, of course, the “big boarding” spots—those most popular for this sort of sport. Lake Tahoe, Lake Havasu and (of course) the Great Lakes come summertime are all treasured destinations for bringing your board and getting some time on the water. But they’re not the only places worth traveling to—in fact, the one thing they all have in common is depth, a large surface area, and guidelines that allow for powerboats and other necessary gear. If you can find a combination of those simple characteristics, wherever you are, you’ve found a great place to go wakeboarding!

Search for spots that have a thriving water sports scene (your local boat dealer can often help with that), so you’ll know exactly where the locals go and why.

What’s the best time to board?

Depending on your itinerary for the day (and the destination you choose), certain windows of time might work better for your wakeboarding adventures than others. Some lakes advise their boarders to come early so that they can take out a spot on the water and get in some action before the crowds roll in. Boarding relatively early, after a nice, fueling breakfast, is also a great way to use your body’s energy—you can carve out some quality time on the water when you’re at your most energized, then use the rest of the day to explore the shore, soak up some sun or simply relax.

What about gear?

Don’t worry about picking up pro-level gear just yet—you can do just fine with the basics. You’ll need, of course, a rope, board, and bindings, as well as a life preserver and—if you plan to board in cooler weather—a wetsuit for comfort.

Why not?

Here’s one question we can’t answer—because in our book, there’s no reason why the whole family shouldn’t go out and enjoy a session (or several) of wakeboarding! The sport brings you together with family and friends and can be quite social—you learn to look out for your fellow boarders on the water, and you have fun taking turns boarding, spotting and perfecting the gestures of wakeboarding lingo.

Plus, if you’re new to the world of water sports, wakeboarding offers a great entryway. It takes advantage of many skills we’re familiar with on land (maybe you like to snow or skateboard, for example) and lets riders use a rope to help steady their balance and give them traction for some truly impressive tricks.

We hope that today’s blog helps you find new ways to enjoy your Monterey as a water sports companion…because under all the flips, tricks and lingo, wakeboarding is simple—it’s a way to combine your love of boating, boarding, and beautiful on-the-water destinations. What could be easier?