So you've got your hands on an Axis and you're itching to create some perfect surf waves. Maybe you've never set up a surf wave before, or maybe you've tried and ended up with something that wasn't quite what you had in mind? Don't stress! Everyone starts somewhere.
If that's you, though, you'll be stoked to read that Axis boats are built to make wave creation as straightforward as possible. Whether you're behind our compact A200 or our larger T250, your Axis can produce a world-class wave with very little effort. With the right knowledge and a bit of patience, you'll be throwing waves that'll have your whole crew lining up for a turn.
Before we get into the step-by-step, it's worth knowing what's actually creating your wave. Your Axis is equipped with a suite of surf tech that works together to shape something genuinely rideable:
These systems work together to create a wave that's ideal for your very first ride to throwing airs when you're more experienced.
Gone are the days of moving weight and people around your boat just to get a rideable wave. Thanks to Axis' factory-loaded presets, a few button pushes is all it takes to create your perfect wake or wave.
Here's where you use the Rider Presets that come built-in to your Axis.
Tap the 'Watersports' icon on your Axis' touchscreen to open the Watersports screen. Towards the bottom of the screen, tap 'Select Preset'. Your Axis comes pre-loaded with five presets that cannot be modified. These are: Surf Left, Surf Right, Wakeboard Beginner, Wakeboard Advanced, and Go Home (more on Go Home later).
Based on your riding style, select your desired preset, and your boat will automatically adjust ballast levels, deploy the Surf Gate, position the Power Wedge, and set your cruise speed.
Once you're underway or before you ride, you can use the touchscreen to manually adjust your settings. You can even use Surf Band® to make adjustments while you're riding, including wave side, Power Wedge position, and your cruise control.
Here's the setup sequence that Axis Pro Johnny Stieg uses - and it's the same one that works whether you're a first-timer or a seasoned regular.
On your screen, press the Watersports Button. To the left of that screen is a silhouette of your boat showing its four ballast tanks, alongside of which are three buttons: Fill, Drain, and Stop. Select either one or multiple tanks or bags on the boat silhouette, then press the Fill button to begin filling the tank/s. While the screen does not show you a progress bar, it does have a timer. Use the fill timer to judge how full each tank is, using the following times:
Bow tank (if equipped): 10 minutes
Center tank: 15 minutes
Port & Starboard tanks: 15 minutes each.
Start with your center tank filled. This gives you that foundational push and a clean pocket. Then add weight to the port or starboard depending on whether you're setting up for a regular or goofy rider. The beauty in this is that you can select multiple tanks and control them simultaneously, so you're not playing tank Tetris all day.
Surfing: Fill all tanks (front, center, port, & starboard) with about an extra minute of filling on the side you are surfing.
Wakeboarding: Center tank full + equal port/starboard for a tall, clean wake.
Heavier riders and fuller boats generally need more ballast for a bigger, punchier wave. Lighter riders may prefer a mellower setup with slightly less ballast. You'll be able to dial this in over time.
For most setups, the ideal surf speed will be somewhere between 10.8-11.2 mph. The exact speed will depend on a few things: how much weight you have in the boat, the size of your hull, and your rider's style. As a general rule of thumb, you can slow down for a steeper, more hollow wave and speed up for a longer, more mellow wave.
At the top of the Watersports screen, you'll find the Surf Gate controls. There are three on-screen buttons that determine which side of the boat you wish to activate Surf Gate on: Left, Center, or Right. Simply tap the button for the side you want to surf on and you're done.
All of the controls for Power Wedge III are located to the right of the Watersports screen. There are two large buttons named 'Stow' and 'Lift', as well as numbered buttons from 6 down to 1. These numbers indicate six fixed positions in which you can set Power Wedge III. The Wedge's current number position will be highlighted in blue.
Easy: Lower wedge settings will give you a longer, more mellow wave. Higher wedge settings will give you a shorter, steeper wave.
Note that the Power Wedge can only be deployed from its stowed position when your boat is running between 1 and 10mp. Once it is deployed, its position can only be changed at speeds below 26mph. Anything faster and your Power Wedge will remain locked in place for safety reasons.
When you are done surfing for the day, before you set off for the dock, press 'Stow'. This will move the Wedge back into its stowed position, ready for the trip home.
The 'Lift' button, meanwhile, sets your Wedge to a pre-set position that helps your boat increase lift and get onto the plane faster. This improves your boat's fuel efficiency, perfect for cruising longer stretches between the dock and your surf area for the day. But here's a rad protip: Lift mode is also great for foil riders who are looking for a new challenge! So keep that in mind next time you're out with your foil!
These settings were developed through extensive testing. Before you start tweaking, try them as-is. More often than not, the preset gets you 90% of the way there straight away.
Give the system time to respond. Ballast tanks take a few minutes to fill or empty, and the hardware needs time to move into position. Make one change, wait, and assess before making another.
Your surfer is your best gauge. If the wave feels off, get their feedback before over-adjusting manually.
You don't always need full ballast for the perfect wave. Always use your boat's factory-approved Plug 'n Play bags. Swapping them for heavier aftermarket bags exceeds Coast Guard capacity, creates dangerous bow rise, and - contrary to popular belief - will not improve your wave.
Your Axis has everything it needs to create an amazing surf wave right out of the box. Start with the presets, get feedback from your rider, make small adjustments, and repeat. The more time you spend on the water, the more dialed-in your setup will get.
The best part is that you don't need years of experience to pull this off. Your Axis comes packed with technology built specifically to make you look like a surf genius from day one. Lean into it.
Find your local Axis dealer to book an on-the-water demo and see what your setup could look like.