Rider
Everyone young and old can find success with our Rapid Ride™ method. We developed the Rapid Ride™ method from our years of teaching friends and family how to wakesurf. Easy examples and surf smart-teachers are our secret to surfing success.
Final Wave Goodbye
After years of sharing the joy of wakesurfing and eFoiling on the beautiful waters of Walloon Lake, Surf Starters is no longer operating.
We’re incredibly grateful to everyone who joined us on the water – from first-time riders finding their balance to families creating unforgettable memories together. Your smiles, laughter, and that magical moment when you first caught the wake made every session worthwhile.
While our boats may be docked for good, the memories we created together will keep surfing on. Thank you for letting us be part of your Northern Michigan adventures!
Until the next wave,
The Surf Starters Team
Beginner Wakesurfing Lessons
Experience the excitement of wakesurfing on the stunning waters of Northern Michigan with Surf Starters! Our Rapid Ride™ method is the ultimate recipe for wakesurfing success, and a few tips from our experienced instructors can make all the difference out on the water.
Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced surfer, we cater to all skill levels, offering comprehensive lessons in surfing, driving, and spotting to ensure a safe and seamless experience.
Surf Starters has partnered with Tommy’s Walloon so renters can make the most of their Axis Wake Research surf boat.
Come join us for an unforgettable session and experience the thrill of wakesurfing on beautiful Walloon in Northern Michigan! Book now and leave only smiles in your wake.
Beginner eFoil Demos
We’ve expanded Surf Starters to provide eFoil demos where you can experience the feeling of flying above the water.
The Rapid Ride™ method is an all-in-one recipe for eFoil success
Our eFoil demo will teach riders how to control the board on the water and fall with grace and safety. Most riders can progress in the same demo to kneeling, standing and flying. Everyone will leave with a unique experience no matter how far they progress.
Demo the best in eFoil technology; the Lift3 from Lift Foil. We are a Lift Affiliate and can provide you with a discount and expert advice on the Lift4 and Lift3 F model, Lift wing configurations, board sizes and mast heights after our lesson.
Take Flight™ with Surf Starters.
Rent the Axis. Own the Wake.
Surf Starters is excited to partner with Tommy’s Walloon where people can rent the Axis Wake Research surf boat. When you start your Tommy’s rental day with Surf Starters, you can maximize your success (and fun) out on the water. After you make your Axis rental, use our scheduling tool to book a Surf Starters lesson!
Rapid Ride™
Method (Not Madness)
Whether you are learning to wakesurf or demo’ing an eFoil, we have a method (not madness) to help you be successful. How do we do it? Read more below.
Driver
If you’re wakesurfing, we’ll use our Rapid Ride™ method to teach the driver the skills to get your surfer up every time and maximize the quality of the wave. If you’re eFoiling, the rider is the driver and we’ll use our Rapid Ride™ method to teach the rider to control everything about the board.
Safety
If you’re wakesurfing, we’ll use our we’ll use our Rapid Ride™ method to train the spotter to keep eyes on the surfer. If your eFoiling, we’ll use our Rapid Ride™ method to train the rider to fall safely and start again. Everyone learns how to remain safe on the water.
Equipment
We’ll get you matched with the right equipment so you feel good, and look cool.
Skills
We’ll teach you how to land your first up on a wakesurf board, and get you started with your first trick on the surf wave.
Courtesy
We teach the basics of lake etiquette to stay true to our commitment of keeping water-sports activities on Walloon Lake courteous, safe and clean.
We Leave Smiles in Our Wake
When I started I could barely get up – but after a session I was carving and confident on the wake!
High praise for Ben and his kind and confident way of instructing! Ben made our kids’ intro to wake surfing a great experience. He was easy to understand and provided plenty of encouragement. By the end of our first hour, both kids (11 & 13) were up on the wave and starting to drop the rope. Total success!
Amazing session with Ben! He is so organized and methodical about teaching E Foiling. He really makes it do-able and fun. Can’t believe my son was up and foiling in his first session! He LOVED it!
We’re Always on the Water
We began Surf Starters to share our years of experience teaching the basics of wakesurfing and eFoiling to friends and relatives, young and old here on Walloon Lake. We live for joy and smiles after the first success – and the laughter after dad’s colossal wipeout!
We look forward to helping you and your family find the joy of water-sports in Northern Michigan.
Surfs up! – the Surf Starters team
Ben
Founder/ Instructor
Ben has spent summers on Walloon since before he can remember and has been surfing for eight years.
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