OCEAN CITY — A record-setting runner with the Red Raiders, Miles Schoedler has returned to the area with a goal of introducing wakesurfing to Great Egg Harbor Bay.
Schoedler, owner of Aqua Action Water Sports, partnered with Wally and Maira Middleton at Bayview Marina, where he is offering wakesurfing tours, including lessons from experienced coaches.
The 2011 graduate of Ocean City High School has been teaching the sport for a number of years in Florida, with Disney World and Universal Studios.
Schoedler said wakesurfing evolved from wakeboarding, which improved on waterskiing by allowing for more maneuverability and control.
The one big difference is that with wakesurfing, there is no tow rope — surfers ride a wake created by the specialized design of the vessel as long as they can stay up and the boat keeps moving.
Schoedler said the sport is not as dangerous as wakeboarding because the jet boats have no propeller, which allows for riders to stay closer to the vessel without risk of injury. He also said the jet boats move at just 10 mph as compared with 20, further boosting safety.
“It’s perfect for beginners because it’s low risk compared with wakeboarding,” Schoedler said, noting that beginners use a tow rope to get up but then cast it off.
Schoedler worked with Yamaha to acquire a 22-foot 222XE jet boat known as a High-Tech Wakesurfer.
Wake boats work by displacing water using internal weights, specialized hulls and adjustable hydrofoils. The technology creates a continuous wave that riders surf without a rope, allowing for more freedom of movement.
Schoedler said he is recruiting local surfers to try it, noting Rob Kelly and Cruz Kelly have given it a go. He is working with surf schools from local shops to try to generate interest.
“I’m looking for the athletes and their families this summer,” he said. “I’m trying to incorporate it as an Ocean City tradition.”
After high school, Schoedler ran track at Georgetown University, then worked as an excursion guide with cruise ships all over the world until the COVID-19 pandemic ended that career.
He then moved to Florida, where he was working as a coach and captain on ski boats. He also competed to star in the Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular at Hollywood Studios, placing third.
“I got a lot of great feedback but not a contract,” he said.
Schoedler decided to come back to the island for the summer and introduce the sport to the area.
“My goal is to promote watersports and aquatic education to local athletes and inspire alternative career paths and opportunities within the film, TV and live entertainment industry,” he said.
In addition to the 222XE jet boat, he has another Yahama model that he uses to offer tubing and charter boat tours.
“We call them Rock ’n’ Roll and Rhythm and Blues,” Schoedler said.
Aqua Action Water Sports offers wakeboarding, wakesurfing and tubing (including lessons), as well as more sedate adventures such as sunset cruises and private charters.
“Our captains and coaches make wakeboarding and wakesurfing a breeze for first-timers. We’ll have you riding the waves in no time,” Schoedler said.
Aqua Action offers one- and two-hour sunset cruises on its Yamaha jetboats.
The watersports sessions are one to three hours (equipment, captain and coach included) and private charters are four to six hours.
“We offer half-day experiences including a licensed U.S. Coast Guard captain for up to six people, four hours minimum,” Schoedler said.
The tours include sandbar anchoring, back bay touring, watersports and optional waterfront dining.
Schoedler is stoked about his Ride the Duck Experience, which he said is perfect for families. The duck can accommodate five people for a tour of the back bay.
“We have had grandparents, toddlers … it’s a 45- to 60-minute tour of the back bay,” he said.
“Ride the duck, surf the bay is our mantra,” Schoedler said.
Aqua Action Water Sports is located at Bayview Marina, 314 Bay Ave. Visit aquaactionwatersports.com or call (609) 398-0008 for reservations and more information.
– By CRAIG D. SCHENCK/Sentinel staff