Wake Surfing on Lake Norman: Inside Ride Wake and Surf with Martin Cagle
Discover how one local entrepreneur is creating unforgettable water sports experiences on Lake Norman
If you've spent any time on Lake Norman, you've likely seen the impressive wakes behind luxury boats and wondered what it takes to learn wake surfing. In a recent episode of the We Are Lake Norman podcast, I sat down with Martin Cagle, owner of Ride Wake and Surf, to discuss how he's built one of the area's premier wake surfing and wakeboarding businesses right here in our backyard.
From Cable Park Dreams to Lake Norman Reality
Martin's journey to becoming a Lake Norman water sports entrepreneur wasn't exactly straightforward. Originally from Greensboro, he spent four years working on launching a cable wakeboard park before pivoting to what would become Ride Wake and Surf.
"I was just burnt out and I ran out of a little bit of money that I had, so I was like, I want to give wakeboarding and wake surfing lessons," Martin explained during our conversation. "But nobody knew me."
Starting a water sports business in September might not seem like the smartest timing, but it gave Martin the winter to plan and realize he needed to invest in better equipment. By 2020, he had purchased his first brand new Mastercraft boat - a significant financial commitment that his wife helped him make.
"It was a little scary. I mean, hands up to my wife for helping me co-sign that loan," Martin laughed. "So I always just say marry up and you're gonna be fine."
More Than Just Lessons: The Ultimate Day on Lake Norman
What sets Ride Wake and Surf apart from other water sports providers in the Lake Norman area isn't just the equipment or instruction - it's the philosophy behind the business.
"We wanted to build an experience on the lake that offers wakeboarding and wake surfing as well as tubing or cruising and all these things," Martin shared. "So it's not necessarily we can teach up to an expert level, but the majority of our customers are first timers just looking for a great day on the lake."
Services Offered by Ride Wake and Surf:
Wake Surfing Lessons - Professional instruction for all skill levels
Wakeboarding Lessons - From beginners to advanced tricks
Private Wake Boat Charters - Full-day experiences on brand new Mastercraft boats
Luxury Pontoon Charters - New addition for 2024
Kids Summer Camps - Introducing young people to water sports
On-Boat Instruction - They'll come to your boat and teach you
Teaching 10,000+ People to Wake Surf
Since launching in 2019, Ride Wake and Surf has taught over 10,000 people how to wakeboard or wake surf on Lake Norman. Their team of licensed U.S. Coast Guard captains has worked with everyone from 4-year-olds to an inspiring 80-year-old Belgian woman who comes out weekly.
"She comes out probably once a week, once every two weeks. And I want to say she's 80," Martin told me. "She's out there wake surfing. I mean, she loves it. And so she'll bring all her family and friends and I mean, she just is the happiest, like, you know, nicest soul that I've ever met."
The Secret to Teaching Success
What makes someone a good wake surfing instructor? According to Martin, it's about seeing patterns and adapting your teaching style.
"At this point, we've taught over 10,000 people how to wakeboard or wake surf. So it's been a lot. We've seen everything from athletes to people that really don't like to get off the couch, but thought they might want to try this," he explained. "Once you see so much, you're able to kind of pick out what you need and say it in just a different way than you might say it for somebody else."
The Evolution of Wake Surfing Technology
For those unfamiliar with wake surfing, Martin provided some fascinating context on how the sport has evolved - and why it's become so popular on Lake Norman.
"Wake surfing has been around for a long time, but the technology is what has fueled the fire and the growth," he explained. "Probably around 2012, 2013, we started seeing boats that are coming out with technology to create these waves."
Before modern wake boats, creating a surfable wave required filling ballast tanks on one side of the boat and having everyone lean to that side - all for a tiny wave. Now, with boats like the Mastercrafts that Ride Wake and Surf uses, you can hit a button and create ocean-like waves up to six feet tall.
"The interior of the boats now are beyond like a Lamborghini luxury. It's just crazy," Martin noted.
A Unique Solution for Lake Norman Boat Owners
One of the most interesting aspects of Ride Wake and Surf's business model is serving existing boat owners who want to enjoy their time on the water without the responsibility of driving.
"We've had customers that have owned their own boats, and now they've sold them. And now it's just, we show up to their dock every weekend," Martin shared. "The dad doesn't have to be the one that's driving the whole time. It brings the joy back of like, hey, I can go surf too."
This service is particularly valuable for families where one person typically ends up behind the wheel all day while everyone else enjoys the water activities.
Marketing a Lake Norman Water Sports Business
As someone who runs Webber Marketing, I was curious about how Martin has spread the word about Ride Wake and Surf. His answer? A combination of word-of-mouth and creative social media content.
"It started slow. I mean, it was financially tough to be able to afford this," Martin admitted. "Once you turn the faucet on, it might just be dribbling at first."
But Ride Wake and Surf has created some viral content, including videos of Martin jumping out of a helicopter into the wake surf wave behind the boat. They've also found success with instructional videos.
"This year, we did a couple of those series, and they really went kind of viral. Had over a quarter million views for us," Martin said.
The key is showing potential customers what the experience looks like - from the luxury boats to the beautiful Lake Norman scenery to the success stories of first-time wake surfers.
The Best Times and Places for Wake Surfing on Lake Norman
When I asked Martin about his favorite time to be on the water, his answer was immediate: "Probably sunset. And even in the fall is the best time. The lake's a little slower. The water's typically still warm."
As for the best spots on Lake Norman for wake surfing? Martin keeps some secrets, but he did share his approach: "We just try to find a cove that's big enough to not disturb the shoreline or docks or residents, but not too big where there's a ton of through traffic to keep our customers safe."
What Out-of-Town Visitors Say About Lake Norman
One of the benefits of running a charter business is hearing fresh perspectives on Lake Norman from visitors. Martin says the most common reaction is amazement.
"They're like, this place is just incredible. I wish we had something like this," he shared. "You got restaurants, you've got a huge, beautiful lake that you can do pretty much anything you want on."
It's a good reminder for those of us who live here year-round - Lake Norman truly is a special place with amenities and natural beauty that many communities lack.
The Investment: Is Wake Surfing Worth It?
Ride Wake and Surf isn't an inexpensive service, but as Martin explained, there's significant value in what they provide.
"We're a Mastercraft Experience Partner. So we have brand new boats. We've got the best gear. It's expensive to run those boats, house the boat," he noted. "For us, we try to show the customer what it looks like as best we can to perceive that value as worth it."
When you consider that a top-of-the-line wake boat can cost close to half a million dollars, plus maintenance, storage, insurance, and the expertise required to operate it safely and create the perfect wave, the value proposition becomes clear.
Local Favorites: Where Martin Eats on Lake Norman
No We Are Lake Norman podcast episode would be complete without discussing local restaurants. Martin's go-to spots include:
Hello Sailor - His top choice when on the water
Blue Parrot - When he's on the north end of the lake
Novanta - His favorite for date night with his wife
For family dining with his two-year-old daughter, they keep it simple with places that provide quick service and entertainment for little ones.
The Future of Ride Wake and Surf
With four boats now in operation and the recent addition of luxury pontoon charters, Ride Wake and Surf continues to grow. Martin's focus remains on creating memorable experiences and building a team of professional captains who share his passion for the sport.
"What really ties it together is our crew," Martin emphasized. "We're there to handle everything for you. Either blend in or be entertainment, depending on what you want."
Experience Lake Norman Water Sports for Yourself
Whether you're a Lake Norman resident who's always wanted to try wake surfing, a boat owner looking to improve your skills, or a visitor wanting to experience the lake in a unique way, Ride Wake and Surf offers something special.
From first-time beginners to experienced riders looking to master new tricks, Martin and his team of licensed captains provide professional instruction in a fun, supportive environment. And with their "ultimate day on the lake" philosophy, you're not just getting a lesson - you're creating memories that will last a lifetime.
Listen to the Full Episode
Want to hear more from Martin Cagle about wake surfing on Lake Norman, his entrepreneurial journey, and what makes this area so special? Listen to the full episode of the We Are Lake Norman podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your favorite podcasting platform.
The We Are Lake Norman podcast features interviews with interesting people, local celebrities, and small business owners in the Lake Norman area. Each episode shares the stories that make our community unique.
Ready to experience wake surfing on Lake Norman?
Visit Ride Wake and Surf to book your ultimate day on the lake.
Want to share your Lake Norman business story?
Contact Webber Marketing to learn about podcast opportunities and digital marketing services that help local businesses grow.
Ryan Webber is the host of the We Are Lake Norman podcast and owner of Webber Marketing, a digital marketing agency serving businesses in the Lake Norman area and beyond. Connect with Ryan on Instagram @ryanwebbermarketing or visit www.webbermarketing.com.
