Shortly after the introduction of wakeboarding, progressive riders started experimenting without bindings. Initially riding with bare feet on a foam pad the sport progressed quickly and riders replaced foam pads with grip tape as the skateboard crossover was natural. After just a few short seasons a new discipline was born.

Wakeskating now consists of independent Wakeskate only companies in addition to the traditional manufacturers who all produce wakeskates in addition to wakeboards.  Sport specific gear like Wakeskate shoes are also produced by several suppliers and Toe Jam, a skate specific contest series gives the wakeskaters their own Professional contest series.

Wakeskating is progressing every year with a variety of new tricks being landed and new generation of wakeskaters born.  Wakeskating sees crossover athletes from both skate and snow and often are athletes who have never actually wakeboarded.

Ontario has produced notable riders Ryan Doyle and Nic Harlos and an even longer list of talented kids are now pushing the sport.  One of the major advantages to wakeskating is that the sport can be towed by any style of boat or winch towing device.  The wake is secondary and both flat water tricks and rail tricks or street influenced stunts are becoming a key part of this new sport. Ontario is also the birthplace of both Sattelyte and Level Thirtn Wakeskate companies both of which are well known around the world.