Buyers Guide To Buying A Wakeboard

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Beginners Guide to Buying a Wakeboard

Introduction to Buying a Wakeboard
This article is aimed at the novice Wakeboarder as it is assumed that an intermediate or advanced rider will probably know most of this stuff already. This is not intended to be an exhaustive study of wakeboard design. Instead we have deliberately filtered out all of the unnecessary jargon and technicalities and put together a simple list of considerations that are relevant just to beginners. We hope that you find this article useful and that it helps you to choose the perfect wakeboard for you. 

Wakeboard Design and Characteristics
The individual features of a wakeboard determine exactly how it will perform on the water. There are numerous design factors that we could discuss here, but we have focused just on those that are important to a novice rider.
The novice wakeboarder only really needs to worry about 3 things when choosing a board
1. Dimensions and design (the length and shape of the board are the two factors that play the biggest part in how easy and controllable a wakeboard is)
2. Bindings (getting correctly fitting bindings is essential to your comfort and progression).
3. Price (as with most things, you get what you pay for with Wakeboards so always try to buy the best that you can comfortably afford)

Wakeboard Sizing
Wakeboards vary in length from 120-150 cm and in width from 38-44 cm. These dimensions are important when choosing any board but never more so than when you are starting out. Longer boards are better for novices as they offer more stability, and wider boards turn more slowly and are therefore more predictable and forgiving. Your body weight is also an important factor when choosing a Wakeboard. We therefore recommend that your first board is at the top end of the scale for your body weight i.e. the longest and widest board for your recommended weight.
Wakeboard Size Chart
Rider Weight (lbs)Wakeboard Length (cm)
Under 100Less than 130
90-150130-134
130-180135-139
170-250140-144
200-275+Over 144

Wakeboard Rocker: Rocker is the measure of how much a board curves at each end (all Wakeboards are somewhat banana-shaped when viewed from the side). There are two main types of rocker, continuous and 3-stage. Continuous rockers have a gradual and consistent curve, whereas 3-stage rockers have two distinct bend points at either end. Wakeboards with a continuous rocker are more stable in a straight line whereas 3-stage rockers are softer and more forgiving on the watery lumps and bumps. Your first board can have either type of rocker because board length is a far more important factor to the beginner.

Wakeboard Edges: The edges of a wakeboard are either squared or rounded off. Squarer edges allow more control and stability whereas rounded edges make it easier to land jumps (as you are less likely to catch an edge). Rounded edges also help the board to gain speed more quickly, but control and stability should be at the top of your list if you are a beginner. We therefore recommend that your first board has squarer edges.

Wakeboard Bindings: Wakeboard bindings are designed to hold your feet firmly to your wakeboard and to support your ankles, but in such a way that they will "release" in the event of a tumble (they need to release in order to minimise the risk of potential injury). Many Wakeboards these days are sold as blank boards with no bindings but Wakeboard packages are also freely available from our website (Wakeboard packages come with suitable bindings). When you are a beginner we believe that "simple is best" so we recommend buying a wakeboard package and sticking with the bindings that come with the board, at least until you progress to the next skill level. In addition, Wakeboarding packages work out cheaper than buying the items individually. Wakeboard bindings are a subject in their own right so please read our article on Wakeboard bindings here.

Wakeboard Prices:  We supply a wide range of wakeboards to suit all budgets, but the price does not necessarily have a direct link to how easy it will be to learn on. The more expensive boards and bindings just tend to last longer as they will be made with superior quality materials.

Wakeboard Terminology

Continuous Rocker: Smooth, continuous arch. A "continuous rocker" has a smooth curved shape. Wakeboards with a "continuous rocker" provide fast, smooth rides and allow you to hook up turns more easily. You can generate a lot of speed on a "continuous rocker" wakeboard. Speed and a very predictable "pop" (height) when you hit the wake will shoot you further out into the flats. "Continuous rocker" wakeboards are great for carving, especially on those glassy-smooth mornings. Difference in rocker/fin reflects variation in size.

3-stage Rocker: Angled with a "flat spot" in the center. A wakeboard with a "3-stage rocker" features three distinct planes on the bottom of the board. A "3-stage rocker" causes your wakeboard to respond with more "pop" (height) when you hit the wake. Boards with a "3-stage rocker" have a flat spot which makes the impact of landings intense and gives a slight sluggish (slow) feeling after landing. One thing is for sure, you're more stable. Difference in "rocker"/fin reflects variation in size.

Hybrid Rocker The "hybrid rocker" features a blend of "continuous" and "three-stage rockers" and brings the best of both worlds: fast pop and consistency. The aggressiveness of the "3-stage rocker" on the edge and the stability of the "continuous rocker" in the center of the board is the perfect combination of "rockers" that makes these boards fast and stable. Difference in "rocker"/fin reflects variation in size.

6" Insert Setup new standard for our wakeboards since 2010. Makes the board compatible with bindings with 6" plates.

8" Insert Setup Makes the board compatible with our basic wakeboard bindings with 8" plates like the Static and the Strike bindings.

Bullet Reinforcement Durable built in ABS/plastic reinforcements inside the fins and the "rails" of the board to help the board sustain and live better thru "rail grind" and other park use. ABS is a very strong and durable solid thermoplastic.

1.0" Polycarbonate/Plastic Fins React quickly and provide a better overall "edge hold". Cable park obstacle friendly.

1.3"/1.7" Plastic Fins A quick releasing and reacting profile, better edge hold and a smooth release.

Flat Top Tech A completely flat top for a "snappier" more lively board to binding feel.

Rolled Edge Helps to prevent the board from splitting at the edges. The rolled edge positions the seams of the edges at the top-side of the board instead of at the base. This way you can hit "kickers" and "sliders" without any worries. Furthermore, it makes the board sit higher in the water for more speed.

Hybrid Edge "Rolled edge" at the midsection which blends into sharp end rails towards the tip and tail for more "edge hold" and aggressive cuts. The "rolled edge" midsection allows for easier sliding over "edge" and prevents damage to the edges.

PTEX Grind Base Indestructible protective base laminate built to resist much more damage by "sliders" and "kickers" than any other regular wakeboard bases. In comparison to others, this base makes the difference on "sliders" and "kickers" and is amazingly fast on obstacles.

Molded In Fins Integrated fins that improve the board's grip in the water and provide stability when landing.

Thinner Profile Less swing weight equals more control and speed. Thinner and wider profile A lighter more responsive ride with more surface area for improved control.
Beginners Guide to Buying a Wakeboard

Introduction to Buying a Wakeboard
This article is aimed at the novice Wakeboarder as it is assumed that an intermediate or advanced rider will probably know most of this stuff already. This is not intended to be an exhaustive study of wakeboard design. Instead we have deliberately filtered out all of the unnecessary jargon and technicalities and put together a simple list of considerations that are relevant just to beginners. We hope that you find this article useful and that it helps you to choose the perfect wakeboard for you. 

Wakeboard Design and Characteristics
The individual features of a wakeboard determine exactly how it will perform on the water. There are numerous design factors that we could discuss here, but we have focused just on those that are important to a novice rider.
The novice wakeboarder only really needs to worry about 3 things when choosing a board
1. Dimensions and design (the length and shape of the board are the two factors that play the biggest part in how easy and controllable a wakeboard is)
2. Bindings (getting correctly fitting bindings is essential to your comfort and progression).
3. Price (as with most things, you get what you pay for with Wakeboards so always try to buy the best that you can comfortably afford)

Wakeboard Sizing
Wakeboards vary in length from 120-150 cm and in width from 38-44 cm. These dimensions are important when choosing any board but never more so than when you are starting out. Longer boards are better for novices as they offer more stability, and wider boards turn more slowly and are therefore more predictable and forgiving. Your body weight is also an important factor when choosing a Wakeboard. We therefore recommend that your first board is at the top end of the scale for your body weight i.e. the longest and widest board for your recommended weight.
Wakeboard Size Chart
Rider Weight (lbs)Wakeboard Length (cm)
Under 100Less than 130
90-150130-134
130-180135-139
170-250140-144
200-275+Over 144

Wakeboard Rocker: Rocker is the measure of how much a board curves at each end (all Wakeboards are somewhat banana-shaped when viewed from the side). There are two main types of rocker, continuous and 3-stage. Continuous rockers have a gradual and consistent curve, whereas 3-stage rockers have two distinct bend points at either end. Wakeboards with a continuous rocker are more stable in a straight line whereas 3-stage rockers are softer and more forgiving on the watery lumps and bumps. Your first board can have either type of rocker because board length is a far more important factor to the beginner.

Wakeboard Edges: The edges of a wakeboard are either squared or rounded off. Squarer edges allow more control and stability whereas rounded edges make it easier to land jumps (as you are less likely to catch an edge). Rounded edges also help the board to gain speed more quickly, but control and stability should be at the top of your list if you are a beginner. We therefore recommend that your first board has squarer edges.

Wakeboard Bindings: Wakeboard bindings are designed to hold your feet firmly to your wakeboard and to support your ankles, but in such a way that they will "release" in the event of a tumble (they need to release in order to minimise the risk of potential injury). Many Wakeboards these days are sold as blank boards with no bindings but Wakeboard packages are also freely available from our website (Wakeboard packages come with suitable bindings). When you are a beginner we believe that "simple is best" so we recommend buying a wakeboard package and sticking with the bindings that come with the board, at least until you progress to the next skill level. In addition, Wakeboarding packages work out cheaper than buying the items individually. Wakeboard bindings are a subject in their own right so please read our article on Wakeboard bindings here.

Wakeboard Prices:  We supply a wide range of wakeboards to suit all budgets, but the price does not necessarily have a direct link to how easy it will be to learn on. The more expensive boards and bindings just tend to last longer as they will be made with superior quality materials.

Wakeboard Terminology

Continuous Rocker: Smooth, continuous arch. A "continuous rocker" has a smooth curved shape. Wakeboards with a "continuous rocker" provide fast, smooth rides and allow you to hook up turns more easily. You can generate a lot of speed on a "continuous rocker" wakeboard. Speed and a very predictable "pop" (height) when you hit the wake will shoot you further out into the flats. "Continuous rocker" wakeboards are great for carving, especially on those glassy-smooth mornings. Difference in rocker/fin reflects variation in size.

3-stage Rocker: Angled with a "flat spot" in the center. A wakeboard with a "3-stage rocker" features three distinct planes on the bottom of the board. A "3-stage rocker" causes your wakeboard to respond with more "pop" (height) when you hit the wake. Boards with a "3-stage rocker" have a flat spot which makes the impact of landings intense and gives a slight sluggish (slow) feeling after landing. One thing is for sure, you're more stable. Difference in "rocker"/fin reflects variation in size.

Hybrid Rocker The "hybrid rocker" features a blend of "continuous" and "three-stage rockers" and brings the best of both worlds: fast pop and consistency. The aggressiveness of the "3-stage rocker" on the edge and the stability of the "continuous rocker" in the center of the board is the perfect combination of "rockers" that makes these boards fast and stable. Difference in "rocker"/fin reflects variation in size.

6" Insert Setup new standard for our wakeboards since 2010. Makes the board compatible with bindings with 6" plates.

8" Insert Setup Makes the board compatible with our basic wakeboard bindings with 8" plates like the Static and the Strike bindings.

Bullet Reinforcement Durable built in ABS/plastic reinforcements inside the fins and the "rails" of the board to help the board sustain and live better thru "rail grind" and other park use. ABS is a very strong and durable solid thermoplastic.

1.0" Polycarbonate/Plastic Fins React quickly and provide a better overall "edge hold". Cable park obstacle friendly.

1.3"/1.7" Plastic Fins A quick releasing and reacting profile, better edge hold and a smooth release.

Flat Top Tech A completely flat top for a "snappier" more lively board to binding feel.

Rolled Edge Helps to prevent the board from splitting at the edges. The rolled edge positions the seams of the edges at the top-side of the board instead of at the base. This way you can hit "kickers" and "sliders" without any worries. Furthermore, it makes the board sit higher in the water for more speed.

Hybrid Edge "Rolled edge" at the midsection which blends into sharp end rails towards the tip and tail for more "edge hold" and aggressive cuts. The "rolled edge" midsection allows for easier sliding over "edge" and prevents damage to the edges.

PTEX Grind Base Indestructible protective base laminate built to resist much more damage by "sliders" and "kickers" than any other regular wakeboard bases. In comparison to others, this base makes the difference on "sliders" and "kickers" and is amazingly fast on obstacles.

Molded In Fins Integrated fins that improve the board's grip in the water and provide stability when landing.

Thinner Profile Less swing weight equals more control and speed. Thinner and wider profile A lighter more responsive ride with more surface area for improved control.
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