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Wakeboards

For a sport still relatively in its infancy, wakeboard it is important to consider that the one you choose should reflect your skill level and boarding style: different features will affect how this gear performs.

Which Wakeboard Is Right for You

'''Ability Level''' * '''Beginner Boards''' ** A square railed board will provide more control and stability. With one of these, however, it will be more difficult to land tricks without catching an edge in the water. ** These tend to be less advanced than newer, more rounded models, and therefore less expensive, which is good when you are just getting into the sport and learning technique. * '''Advanced Boards''' ** Advanced riders will prefer something with round rails: this makes tricks easier to land without catching an edge. ** Round rails enable the board to go faster and they provide a quicker lift on jumps. '''Board Type''' * '''Single-Tip''' ** If you're from a surfing or water/snow skiing background, you will probably prefer a single-tip board. ** This design has a pointed front and square back. It tends to be rare these days. ** The point of this design is to aid in one-directional wakeboarding. * ** If your experience has been primarily in snowboarding or skateboarding, you will be more comfortable with a twin-tip board. ** Twin-tips are more rounded in both the front and the back. This style is quite popular. ** Best for carving, switching, and doing tricks.

Wakeboard Models for All Abilities

Beginners

Check out
this wakeboard expert's recommendations for beginner boards, and check out the popular models below.

Boards for Ladies

Intermediate/Advanced Boards

Wakeboard Construction

Choosing the Proper Length and Width

Most boards indicate what size and weight rider they support. Choose accordingly to get the best fit, and read on for some tips. * '''Length''' inches long ** When in doubt, get a longer board, especially if you are a beginner. ** Shorter boards will not perform well if the rider is too large or heavy for it. ** Shorter boards offer less stability in starts and turns, so these are better for an advanced rider. * '''Width''' inches wide ** The narrower the board, the lower you will ride through the water. Thus by creating more wake, you can get more pop off the water to do jumps and tricks. ** Wider boards are ideal for beginners who have never done water sports. They will allow you to float more on top of the wake, which can be good when it is medium or large. Keep in mind that wider boards make it harder to pop, so you'll have to rely on your edge and not as much on your fins to get off the water.

Understanding "Rocker"

The amount of rocker is a wakeboard's bottom edge where the board curves at either end; it is measured in either inches or centimeters. Wakeboard rockers have three major categories: continuous, continuous/progressive, and three-stage. So how to choose? Think of where you ride the waves. If the wake you ride is typically smaller, chances are you will need less of a rocker to pop. If you end up getting sprayed in the face often, that probably means that you have chosen a board with too little rocker. A ''higher rocker'' gives the board a more rounded bottom and makes it easier to land jumps, while a'' lower rocker ''gives the board a flatter bottom: it will accelerate better and be easier to control. * '''Continuous rocker''' ** Has a smooth curve from tip to tail and offers stable performance. ** Accelerates smoothly and generates a comfortable pop off the wake. * '''progressive rockers''' ** These are similar to continuous rockers through the belly, but they become more angular around the feet. ** You might also hear the term hybrid when it comes to this type of rocker. * '''Three-stage rockers''' ** Designed for enhancing acceleration and giving an aggressive lift off the wake. ** Typically have a significant flat spot in the middle of the board with a slight bend under the feet and a flatter tip and tail. '''Fin Styles: What's the Best Shape?''' Fins keep you traveling in the direction in which you point your board and prevent rotation on the water. Wider foils move more water and create drag and lift under your feet; thinner foils move less and let the fin guide your board without resistance. Having a few sets of fins can give you almost as much versatility as owning a collection of boards. * '''A ramp style fin''' is a good place to start for beginners because it will help you learn to control the board. It is considered the most universal shape, and it seems to work for a lot of different riding styles. * '''Molded fins''' are really just large ruts and channels built into the board. * '''A long base shape''' with different depths and foils offer a great deal of riding variety. They also allow for quick release. * '''Sharp and deep edged fins''' are more aggressive; they're good for choppy conditions or a need for extra control in new maneuvers. * '''Multiple fins''' have good hold on sharp edges and create more control.

Materials

Wakeboards are made of the same materials as water skis; a polyurethane or foam core wrapped by fiberglass or fiberglass/graphite. The lighter the board you can get the better. (Unfortunately, this has a direct relationship to price.) The less weight a board has, the easier it is to pop, ride fast, and transport. * Nexes Its rough feeling creates the illusion of speed: this material pops the wakeboard slightly above the water's surface. In turn, it will help enhance the board's speed and grinding ability. * PBT Smooth and shiny, yet surprisingly not very fast. * P Perfect for grinding. *bag for protection, easy storage, and portability. ** Always dry your wakeboard completely before placing it in the bag. Store it in a cool, dry place.

What's a Wakeskate?

If you are shopping for wakeboards you might happen across wakeskates, one of the newest things in water sports. These are a cross between a wakeboard and a skateboard. The first thing you will notice is that these boards do not make use of bindings; instead, grip tape, texturized EVA foam, or Astrodeck keeps your feet from slipping from the board surface. Another thing that sets these boards apart is their construction. Many skates are made of wood, whereas boards are often made of polyurethane foam. Skates also tend to be around 10 inches shorter than a board. That makes them more capable of doing certain tricks than a board, and vice versa.

Major Manufacturers

* CWB * Gator Boards * Hyperlite * Liquid Force * O'Brien

Related Products

Related Guides

* Waterskiing and Wakeboarding * Wakeboard Bindings * Wakeboard Ropes * Surfing and Bodyboarding * Windsurfing and Kiteboarding !