Can You Wakeboard Without a Tower? Explained

If you're new to wakeboarding or even if you've been around for a while, you might have noticed that many modern boats come equipped with a wakeboard tower. These towers have become almost synonymous with the sport, leading some to wonder if it's even possible to wakeboard without one. 

Absolutely, you can wakeboard without a tower. Towers didn’t even exist when wakeboarding first started gaining popularity. People have been wakeboarding behind all sorts of vessels—from jet boats to pontoons—long before towers were a thing. As long as your boat can pull you out of the water, you can wakeboard behind it, tower or not.

However, there are some trade-offs. Without a tower, you’re likely to find it more challenging to get significant air or perform complex tricks. The rope’s lower attachment point means you’ll feel a downward pull when you jump, which can limit your airtime and make tricks more difficult to land. But if you're just out to enjoy the water and have some fun, wakeboarding without a tower is still a blast.

Even without a tower, there are ways to improve your wakeboarding experience. One tip is to ease up on the way you edge into the wake. By not edging or cutting as hard, you can still clear the wake and have a good time without putting yourself in a position where the downward pull of the rope becomes a major issue.

Another point to consider is that the type of rope and handle you use doesn’t need to change just because you don’t have a tower. A wakeboarding rope should be thin and non-stretchy, ranging from 55 to 85 feet in length, including the handle. This type of rope will give you the consistency you need to perform at your best, whether you’re using a tower or not.

If you're trying to compensate for not having a tower, you might be tempted to add more ballast to your boat to create a bigger wake. 

While this might help you get a little more air, it also increases the downward pull of the rope, making it even harder to land your tricks. Essentially, you're creating more lift but also more resistance, which can be counterproductive.

If you don’t have a tower but still want to enjoy some of the benefits it provides, there are alternatives like the air boom, which is an extended ski pole that goes straight up into the air. This gives you a higher attachment point for your rope, mimicking some of the advantages of a tower without the need for a full tower installation. 

While not as effective as a tower for newer model boats, it can make your wakeboarding experience more enjoyable and help you catch a bit more air.

Wakeboarding without a tower isn’t just for beginners, though it can be more challenging for those new to the sport. If you’re just getting started and have access to a boat with a tower, by all means, take advantage of it—it will make the learning process easier on your body and give you a better overall experience.

However, if you’re working with an older boat or simply don’t want to invest in a tower, don’t let that stop you. Many riders, especially those who’ve been around since before towers became the norm, have mastered the art of wakeboarding without one. You can still have a great time, learn new tricks, and enjoy the sport. Just be prepared for a bit more of a workout as you get up out of the water and try to catch some air.

Wakeboarding without a tower is entirely possible and can still be a ton of fun. While you might not get as much air or be able to perform as many tricks, you can still enjoy the ride and improve your skills on the water. And if you ever decide you want to upgrade, there are options like the air boom that can give you a taste of what a tower has to offer without a full commitment.

If you have more questions or need advice on getting the most out of your wakeboarding experience, feel free to reach out to the team at Wakesports. You can email us at info@wakesports.com, fill out the contact form at www.wakesports.com/pages/contact-us, or give them a call at 858-277-5757 during business hours. We’re more than happy to help you get set up for your next day on the water.