Recreation
Transfer
An advanced maneuver in which the rider crosses from one side of the wake to the other and back, transferring across the boat's wash.
Transfer is a term from limnology — the scientific study of inland waters. The detailed explanation below covers the definition, why the concept matters to lake water-quality interpretation, and how it intersects with the LakeGrade rubric. Reading Transfer alongside the LakeGrade rubric helps make the rubric's structure intuitive — each grading parameter maps directly onto an established limnological concept.
The per-lake pages on LakeQuality always show the specific Transfer value for that lake, so you can move from the general concept to the specific lake without leaving the site.
What It Means for Your Lake
A transfer involves the rider crossing the boat's wake from one side to the other, momentarily passing through the flat water or wash behind the boat before re-entering the wave on the opposite side. It is considered an advanced wakesurf skill that even seasoned riders find challenging, because it requires carrying enough speed to cross the dead zone behind the transom and reconnect with the push on the far side. Transfers are most feasible on boats whose wake setup leaves enough of a wave on both sides, and they showcase a rider's command of speed and line.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is transfer?
An advanced maneuver in which the rider crosses from one side of the wake to the other and back, transferring across the boat's wash.
Why does transfer matter for lake health?
A transfer involves the rider crossing the boat's wake from one side to the other, momentarily passing through the flat water or wash behind the boat before re-entering the wave on the opposite side. It is considered an advanced wakesurf skill that even seasoned riders find challenging, because it r...
Related Terms
Drawing smooth, arcing turns up and down the wave face on rail, the signature flowing maneuver of surf-style wakesurfing.
Turning rhythmically up and down the face of the wake to generate speed and maintain momentum without the rope.
The wave thrown off the stern of a moving boat, which the wakesurfer rides; on a properly set-up wake boat it forms a continuous, surfable face.
The clean section of the wave that propels the rider forward without the rope; finding it is what lets you ride hands-free.
Source: EPA National Aquatic Resource Surveys, 2026.