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Wake Surfing-Deep Creek Lake

Wake Surfing-Deep Creek Lake
Betsy Spiker Holcomb, Deep Creek Lake’s Favorite Realtor
Wake Surfing-Deep Creek Lake
Taylor-Made Real Estate Betsy Spiker Holcomb-301-616-5022

Wake Surfing-Deep Creek Lake

 

I love all the great summer sports here at Deep Creek Lake to enjoy! Wakeboarding and paddleboarding have always been my favorite. Having a beach/surfing background, I always wondered what it would be like to try the up and coming wake surfing sport that has been the rage over the last few years. My lucky day came the other day when my brother-in-law, who owns Deep Creek Marina, called me to see if I wanted to try Malibu Boat’s top-of-the-line wake surfing boat. For years I have heard of people trying to use weights, extra people and cargo to make this sought after wave that is big enough to propel a surfer-fabricated wave. Most efforts seemed in vain and the one time I tried there just wasn’t enough juice to keep me gliding.

 

Fast forward to yesterday when I was lucky enough to go out on the state-of-the-art Malibu M235 wakeboard/wake surf boat. This boat was easily the most impressive boat I have ever laid eyes on. Looks are only a small piece to the puzzle though. I wondered as it was being gently launched in the water how it would perform, specifically how big and powerful of a wave it made. I consider myself the ultimate test for this engineer created wave because I am 6’ 7” 270 lbs, which is far heavier than riders it was designed. I brought one of my personal surfboards to try out because I was sure that technology in this sport was not up to par for someone my size. I would need considerable power to propel me on this normally calm lake.

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The ballasts were filled and the gates that make the wave were deployed and the first rider took his place in the water. You basically put your heels on the rails of this mini surfboard/skimboard as the boat is slowly clicked into gear. The pressure of the water moving at idle speed plants the board to your feet. Holding on to a short wakesurf rope, you give the signal that you are ready and the boat guns the throttle. You pull up similar to a wakeboard take off until you stabilize waiting for the wave to take shape. This only takes a few seconds and it’s amazing to feel this fabricated wave swell behind you. It actually curled/tubed for portions of the session.

 

As a new rider, the first thing you have to do is find the vein of the wave. This vein is where the most power is located. There is a speed slot, I’m guessing six inches from the rear platform to about four feet away that provides the best power to surf in. As you are finding this power zone you are still holding on to the rope basically free surfing some and being pulled by the boat. After you find the power, then you throw the rope back to the boat and start surfing! Yeeewwww! Carving up and down the wave and cutting back give you a real and strange sense of surfing. You are connected to the boat by the vacuum of this wave peeling behind you. It feels like you are racing down the wave but it also feels like you are barely moving as you notice the shoreline.

It’s very hard to explain so you’ll have to try for yourself! The adrenaline is at full RPM’s and you immediately feel your legs fatiguing. Most surfers in the ocean crave long waves but when you finally get some you find your legs are not in good enough shape to handle it. Behind a boat this wave becomes perpetual and challenges the most experienced rider’s endurance.

Wake Surfing-Deep Creek Lake

 

I tried my personal shortboard and had a blast screaming behind the boat. Although it was a little large for the wave it was an amazing experience just cruising behind the boat and getting some pumps down the line. There are many different sizes to find the ultimate board to shred on for your body type.  I would highly recommend everyone trying this unique and challenging sport the next time you are hear at the lake. Call Deep Creek Marina at 301-387-6977 for information about boats for sale that are capable of creating this tremendous wave! You’ll be hooked!

Wake Surfing-Deep Creek Lake

Memorial Day Deep Creek Lake 2016

Betsy Spiker Holcomb Deep Creek Lakes Favorite Realtor
Betsy Spiker Holcomb, Deep Creek Lake’s Favorite Realtor.
Memorial Day Deep Creek Lake 2016
Rippled DCL

 

Memorial Day weekend was a huge success again this year as we saw people coming from every direction to enjoy Deep Creek Lake. I noticed a few boats after lunch buzzing McHenry Cove slowly gearing up to enjoy a wonderful holiday weekend. By Saturday at noon the lake was packed with families enjoying all the lake has to offer. I saw fishermen, tubers, skiers, wakeboarders, wakesurfers, sailboats and jetskis running all full throttle by dusk.

Memorial Day Deep Creek Lake 2016
Late for fishing
Memorial Day Deep Creek Lake 2016
Beautiful Tuesday after
Memorial Day Deep Creek Lake 2016
Deep Creek ripples

 

I snuck out Sunday morning at 6am on my paddleboard to get a little peaceful time to myself. I was rewarded with perfect temperature’s and perfect glass. I saw one fishing boat buzz through in the hour I was out, but other than that I had the lake to myself.

Memorial Day Deep Creek Lake 2016
Dawn patrol paddleboard sesh
Memorial Day Deep Creek Lake 2016
Early paddleboard

 

Honi Honi was rocking as usual on Monday and I had a fantastic time talking to friends and out-of-towners. People had their beach chairs and blankets laid out enjoying one of many perfect days this weekend. The docks were full of happy boaters, kids packed the playground, the cornhole games were full and the funky 70’s music set the pace for a wonderful day. By Tuesday morning the lake was empty of boats and people, but the weather is still holding up nicely. Thanks to everyone who participated in a safe and successful Memorial Day Weekend. Through all the fun I talked to a lot of folks that respected the true meaning of the weekend, paying respect to the veterans who have protected out great country.

Memorial Day Deep Creek Lake 2016
Calm Tuesday

Deep Creek Lake-Wakeboarding

   Deep Creek Lake-Wakeboarding

Deep Creek Lake-Wakeboarding

Deep Creek Lake-Wakeboarding. As summer winds down and the kids start to get back to school, there is still time to enjoy one of my favorite summer sports without the mid-summer traffic normally on the lake. The boats on the lake become a little more sporadic helping in producing optimum wakeboard conditions which are no wake and pure glass. There is nothing more exciting than getting up on a wakeboard and having the perfect mirror lake reflecting the mountains off the water while doing 20 or so miles per hour. You don’t have to bust big airs to feel the stoke of wakeboarding. Just kick back with your friends and family and enjoy the experience. I often hear people saying, “Wow, I can’t believe summer is over already” or “summer flies by faster and faster each year as you get older”. Make it a priority to enjoy every moment you can with your family and friends in this gift of life that we are all fortunately given. Take my advice and put wakeboarding on your list of to-do’s in late summer, and find the treasures of memories that are awaiting you and your family.

Deep Creek Lake-Wakeboarding

Deep Creek Lake-Wakeboarding

Deep Creek Lake-Bust Largeness Wakeboard Contest

Betsy Spiker Holcomb Deep Creek Lakes Favorite Realtor
Betsy Spiker Holcomb Deep Creek Lakes Favorite Realtor

 

Deep Creek Lake-Bust Largeness Wakeboard Contest
Deep Creek Lake-Bust Largeness Wakeboard Contest

Deep Creek Lake-Bust Largeness Wakeboard Contest

Deep Creek Lake-Bust Largeness Wakeboard Contest

Deep Creek Lake-Bust Largeness Wakeboard Contest. It’s easy to see how this event was missed by the masses as I can’t really recall hearing much about it before the event took place.  However, High Mountain Sports put together a spectacular event with locals and out-of-town pros alike.  The contestants, both men and women, put on an amazing display of what the human body can do attached to a 45-foot rope and a small epoxy wakeboard strapped to their feet.  I personally am not up to date with the wakeboard trick lingo but I described them to my wife as being mcflips, el rolos and of course very large airs.  Contestants were launching off what appeared to be a 3-foot wake and catching at least 8-10’ airs, which had the crowd along the bank applauding these young daredevils.  Boats lined up on the water on the strip of DCL in between Rock Lodge Road and Garrett Highway to witness the Bust Largeness contest that was held directly across the street from High Mountain Sports.  Deep
Creek Marina supplied a brand spanking new Malibu Wakesetter to help provide the contestants with premium wakeboard conditions.  They also brought another state-of-the-art wakeboard boat, a Malibu Axis, for the spectators to check out during the event.  To round it out, Johnny Rock provided enough wattage to blast ripples of sound through the water with some hip, energetic background music.  Betsy and I have been known to do a few bunny hops over the wake during our summer dawn patrol sessions but we’ll leave the largeness airs to the professionals!

 

Deep Creek Lake-Bust Largeness Wakeboard Contest

Deep Creek Lake-Bust Largeness Wakeboard Contest
Deep Creek Lake-Bust Largeness Wakeboard Contest

Kayaking on Deep Creek Lake

Betsy Spiker Holcomb Deep Creek Lakes Favorite Realtor
Betsy Spiker Holcomb Deep Creek Lakes Favorite Realtor

Kayaking on Deep Creek Lake

I’m not afraid to be the broken record here at Deep Creek Lake by yet again bragging about perfect temperatures here at the lake. Seriously! You can’t make this stuff up! Late summer mornings on the lake are ideal for your recreation of choice or just kick off your shoes and take a load off.

Kayaking on Deep Creek Lake
Kayaking on Deep Creek Lake

 

Here’s a thought…Go rent yourself a Kayak, find yourself a nice glassy shoreline and round up your sweetheart to go for a lazy adventure. Come on people, this is a sport that you don’t have to be a triathlon champ or a muscle head to enjoy. Gently dip your paddle in peaceful DCL and get yourself a nice chill glide going.  Take notice of the amazing views that you may have passed before too quickly on a boat. Kayaking is a great way to absorb new things around the lake that you have overlooked before. More importantly it’s a great way to calm your mind while having a delightful experience. Don’t put if off any longer. Come enjoy this special time of the year when the crowds have thinned down and the lake is perfect for this fantastic sport.

Kayaking on Deep Creek Lake
Kayaking on Deep Creek Lake