Boat setup
Bow weight
Ballast loaded toward the front of the boat, which flattens the wake slightly but increases its length and smoothness.
Bow weight is ballast placed in the front (bow) of the boat. Adding bow weight flattens the wake a little while lengthening and smoothing it, producing a longer, more forgiving wave that's good for linking tricks and for beginners. A common starting balance is a 2:1 ratio, roughly 500 lbs in the bow for every 1,000 lbs in the rear lockers.
Balancing bow and stern weight is how riders trade off wave height against wave length to suit their riding.