You don't need any gear of your own to go wakesurfing with us. Every Wake rental includes the boat, surfboards, wakeboards, a tube, and life jackets — and on a captained trip your driver coaches...
What Do You Need to Go Wakesurfing? (Spoiler: Nothing — It's All Included)
Planning your first wakesurf day and wondering what to pack? Here's the honest answer: the boat, the boards, and the gear are already handled — you just show up.
The short answer
You don't need any gear of your own to go wakesurfing with us. Every Wake rental includes the boat, surfboards, wakeboards, a tube, and life jackets — and on a captained trip your driver coaches the whole group for free.
The only things to bring are the easy ones: sunscreen, swimsuits, water, snacks, and a towel. No board to buy, no rope to rig, no experience required. Show up, hop on, and ride.
When people picture renting a wake boat, they often assume there's a checklist a mile long — your own board, special shoes, a wetsuit, maybe a license. That's the surf-shop version. Renting a fully-loaded boat is the opposite: the whole point is that the hard stuff (the boat, the gear, the know-how) comes with it. So let's break down what's already on board, the short list of what to bring, and what you can confidently leave at home.
What's already included (you bring none of this)
Every Wake rental is all-inclusive. On the boat you'll find:
- The boat itself — a 2023 Tige Z3, a premium surf boat that throws a clean, beginner-friendly wave
- Surfboards — beginner-friendly shapes, so you start on the right board
- Wakeboards — for anyone who wants to try boarding too
- A tube — for warming up the nervous riders and the little ones
- Life jackets — sized for adults and kids
- Free coaching on every captained trip — your driver sets up first-timers and coaches the group as you ride, at no extra charge
That's the expensive, bulky, complicated stuff — all handled.
What to bring (the short list)
Pack like you're going to the lake for the day, because you are. Here's everything that's actually on you:
| Bring this | Why |
|---|---|
| Swimsuit | One you can move in — you'll be in and out of the water all day. |
| Sunscreen | You're on open water with full sun. Reef-safe and water-resistant is ideal; reapply often. |
| Water & snacks | A cooler is welcome. Staying hydrated on a hot North Texas day makes a big difference. |
| Towel & a dry layer | For breaks and the ride back if the evening cools off. |
| Sunglasses (with a strap) | Glare off the water is real. A strap keeps them out of the lake. |
| Optional: rash guard | A rash guard or t-shirt adds sun protection while you ride. |
| Optional: water shoes | Comfy for the dock and shallow launches, totally optional on the boat. |
That's genuinely it. If you forget the sunscreen, it's a quick stop on the way — nothing on this list is a deal-breaker.
What you can leave at home
Here's the stuff people overthink and absolutely don't need to pack:
Your own board. Beginner-friendly surfboards and wakeboards are included. (Own a board you love? You're welcome to bring it — but you don't have to.)
A wetsuit. North Texas lakes are warm through the season, so a swimsuit is plenty. No special neoprene required.
Ropes, handles, or any rigging. All of that lives on the boat and is set up for you.
Experience or a license. On a captained trip, we drive and coach. You don't need to know a thing about boats or surfing to have a great day.
What you don't need to know, either
Gear isn't the only thing people worry about — a lot of first-timers assume they need skills they don't. You don't need to know how to surf, how to drive a boat, or how to set up a wave. On a captained Wake trip, your driver handles the boat, dials in the wave, and coaches each rider one small tip at a time until they're up. Wakesurfing is slow-speed with soft falls and no foot bindings, which is exactly why total beginners and kids get up on their first day. If you want the full picture, see is wakesurfing hard to learn?
Bringing kids or a big group?
Same answer — you don't need to bring extra gear. Life jackets are included and sized for kids and adults, and the tube is a perfect warm-up for cautious or younger riders. A captained boat fits up to 12 guests, so birthdays, bachelorette days, and family reunions all work on a single trip. The only things worth coordinating ahead of time are a cooler and who's bringing the snacks. Planning a celebration? See group & party boat rentals in DFW.
Where you'll launch in North Texas
We bring the boat to the marina on whichever lake you pick — Possum Kingdom, Lewisville, Grapevine, Texoma, Ray Roberts, Ray Hubbard, Cedar Creek, or Tawakoni. So "what to bring" doesn't change based on the lake; you just show up at the marina we agree on. (Possum Kingdom is the scenic favorite; Lewisville and Grapevine are the easy DFW drive.) Not sure which to choose? See the best North Texas lakes for wakesurfing.
What it costs — and why "all-inclusive" matters
Because the gear is included, the price you see is close to the price you pay. A captained boat is $275/hour (up to 12 guests) with free coaching for the whole group. Prefer to drive yourself? Self-drive is $225/hour (up to 10 guests, experienced drivers). Want a focused first lesson? Those are $275/hour. Gas is billed separately at cost — that's the only add-on. For the full breakdown, see what's included in a Wake rental and what a wake boat rental costs in DFW.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need my own wakesurf board?
No. Beginner-friendly surfboards and wakeboards are included on every rental, so there's nothing to buy or bring. If you own a board you love, you're welcome to bring it — but most guests just use ours.
What should I wear?
A swimsuit you can move in is all you need. Many people add a rash guard or t-shirt for sun protection, plus sunglasses with a strap. Bring a towel and a dry layer for the ride back if the evening cools off.
Do I need any experience or a boating license?
Not for a captained trip — we drive and coach, so total beginners are welcome. Self-drive is available for experienced drivers (up to 10 guests). Either way, no surfing experience is required.
Can I bring my own food and drinks?
Yes — a cooler with water, snacks, and drinks is welcome and encouraged. Staying fueled and hydrated makes a hot lake day a lot more fun.
Is anything not included?
Gas is the only extra — it's billed separately at cost. Everything else (boat, boards, tube, life jackets, and coaching on captained trips) is part of the rental.
What our guests say
★ 5.0 out of 5 · verified GetMyBoat guest reviews"Casey was phenomenal! Went above and beyond for my daughter's 16th bday with her friends!!!!"
"Had a great experience riding with Casey. Thank you so much for allowing us to create a memory with you. Highly recommend."
"Great boat! Great communication with any questions that came up. Thanks!!"
Ready to just show up and ride?
Pick a lake and a time — we'll bring the boat, the boards, and a coach. You bring the sunscreen.
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