A wakeboard looks like a fat snowboard with a pair of bindings attached to it. The wakeboarder turns with body leans and by rocking the board. During competition, wakeboarders do flips and spins and other acrobatic stunts in the air and on the water. The course is designed similarly to a street course in skateboarding with a skier and jump ramp. The same format is used at all Pro Tour stops.
Riders perform a subjectively-judged routine using any maneuvers they chose in any order they wish.
The riders have two passes behind the boat traveling in a straight path. At the end of the second pass, riders are given a double-up. On the double-up, t he boat does a wide turn and crosses over the old wake. The rider cuts on the inside of the turn and when the wakes cross each other, the rider cuts back and hits the wakes coming together. Riders are judged on the difficulty and proficiency of the moves executed, how big they are going, variety of moves performed, and on the creativity and fluidity of the routine.