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Wakeboard Buyers Guide
The Wakeboard Size Chart
will help you choose the right wakeboard length, but to buy the right size
wakeboard, right type of wakeboard, and the right bindings for your age,
weight, and skill level depends on many factors. The wakeboard size guide is
only an estimate. Ultimately, we recommend that you contact us at Water Ski World or call us at 1-877-723-2660 for
professional advice on buying the right wakeboard for you.
What size wakeboard should I buy?
Rider
weight |
Wakeboard
length |
Up to 85 lbs |
119 cm |
Up to 105 lbs |
121 cm |
Up to 130 lbs |
130-131 cm |
Up to 160 lbs |
132-133 cm |
Up to 180 lbs |
134-135 cm |
Up to 200 lbs |
136-139 cm |
Over 200 lbs |
140 cm and up |
There are many considerations before selecting a wakeboard
length using the above wakeboard size chart
Buying the right wakeboard depends on
many factors. Below is a 4-point summary guideline for choosing the right
wakeboard length and right type of wakeboard:
Shop our Collection of Wakeboards and Boots
After choosing your wakeboard size, decide what YEAR
wakeboard to buy for compatibility to your wakeboard boots
Before you buy a
wakeboard, decide if you already have used boots from an older wakeboard, or
plan to buy new boots. Wakeboard M6 bolt sizes and standards have changed in
2013.
Please click here for our wakeboard and binding M6
compatibility guide:
Buy The Right Type of Wakeboard for Your Skill Level and Riding
Style
Skill Level
Wakeboarding is not an
easy sport to learn. Beginners need to buy a wakeboard that is easy to ride. If
you are teaching your kids how to wakeboard, start with a beginners
wakeboard with kids boots. Wakeboards for beginners are less expensive because
they do not have advanced materials and advanced features that advanced riders
look for in order to perform wakeboard tricks. Beginners
wakeboards are larger and built for stability. For example, long boards with
square rails are great for beginners, as they are easy to control; however, it
would be difficult to perform tricks with such boards.
For more advanced riders
who want to do tricks, lighter, smaller boards offer the greatest flexibility.
Wakeboards with rounded edges are also preferred by advanced riders, as these
allow the rider to move at a higher speed, jump faster, and land in a much
smoother fashion.
Some boards in our shop
that are for beginners would be the Hyperlite Murray Pro,
Ronix District, and Ronix Vault,
Riding Style
People who pick up
wakeboarding probably are proficient in other watersports such as waterskiing,
and some have experience in skateboarding or surfing. Wakeboards come in single-tip
and twin-tip models. Single-tip boards have a tapered front and a squared rear,
which means they can only be ridden in one direction (with the tip facing
front). This type of board is ideal for those with skiing and surfing
backgrounds. Twin-tip boards are generally used by those who love snowboarding
and skateboarding because the rider can easily switch the direction of the ride
and do tricks.
The Board’s Rocker
The rocker (or rocking
curve) refers to the shape of the bottom of the board. The board’s rocker is
important because its bottom profile affects the way the board moves and how
high it can raise the rider (referred to as "pop" by wakeboarders)
depending on certain conditions. There are three main types of rockers:
continuous, three-stage, and hybrid.
The Board’s Material
Wakeboard materials need
to be light enough to allow the rider to jump and perform tricks, but strong
enough so they don’t break after only a few outings. Foam board and honeycomb
are the two main types of materials used to make wakeboards. Foam boards are
best in rough conditions because they are more flexible and ride lower in the
water, stabilizing the ride. On the other hand, honeycomb fiber centers are
lighter, faster, and provide more pop. However, they are also more rigid which
makes those types of boards difficult to control in bumpy conditions. If you
plan to use a wakeboard in a cable park, the wakeboard must be designed for
parks to handle the thrashing on rails without gouging or breaking in half.
The Board’s Fins
Wakeboards can come with
or without fins. Fins ensure that the board travels in the direction that the
board is facing and they prevent it from spinning out of control. However, this
also means that riders have a harder time lifting off and performing tricks.
Still, some advanced riders will still opt to put fins on their boards,
especially in choppy waters. Wide fins are best suited for beginners, while
thinner fins provide stability for advanced riders while at the same time still
giving them the ability to execute stunts.
Buying The Right Wakeboard Boots or Bindings
After choosing your wakeboard, decide what wakeboard
bindings (boots) to buy
Bindings secure the rider
to the wakeboard. Wakeboard bindings and boots are the same thing for all
brands except Hyperlite. Hyperlite decided to keep some wakeboard bindings
separate from the boots, similar to snowboarding boots and bindings. Other
brands designed the binding into the boot. If you talk about a wakeboard boot,
it is the same as a binding, except for some of the special boots/bindings by
Hyperlite.
There are important factors to consider when choosing wakeboard bindings;
namely, wakeboard year, boot features, boot fit, and boot flexibility:
Wakeboard Year
If you have a newer
wakeboard, your boot choices are wide open. If you have an older wakeboard,
standards changed in 2013. Please click here for our wakeboard and binding M6
compatibility guide:
If you have an older
wakeboard, you will need to buy older boots, or new boots that are backwards
compatible--difficult to find today. We have the most popular: the Hyperlite Remix Wakeboard Boots which work on older wakeboards.
If you have older boots,
but a newer wakeboard, you may be able to use your older boots on that new
wakeboard by buying M6 metric bolts.
Features
Different bindings have
different features. Some have closed toes that fit more precisely on a rider’s
feet and allow the rider to have better control and leverage over their board.
These bindings are also ideal for colder weather, as they can keep the rider’s
feet warm. Open toe bindings are less expensive and have greater heel and toe
response. There are also various ways to secure the bindings, such as through
laces, mechanical cranks, Velcro straps, or hinges.
Connelly has the most innovative hinge system for ease of use safest for
beginners. Check the description of Connelly boots to see if they have Hinge
Tech.
Hyperlite offers a binding
type that is more secure and designed like snowboard bindings with boots
separate from the binding. This is recommended for intermediate and advanced
riders. This very secure boot and binding system is not recommended for kids,
because the boots stay attached to the board when you fall.
Fit
The fit of the boot must
be snug, but not too tight that the rider feels pain or loses circulation. The
right fit will allow for greater control and prevent injuries. It can take a
while to break in new bindings and there are many binding slime lubricants you can buy to help a rider slip in and out of snug
wakeboard boots.
Flexibility
Flexibility is determined
by the rider’s preference and riding style. Stiffer boots generally mean
greater speed and control, while more pliable ones are better for doing tricks.
Where do I mount my wakeboard bindings?
Beginner Binding Stance is
shown in this diagram:
Wakeboard boots are set at
a stance according to your skill level. Boots that have a left foot different
than the right foot must mount depending on left foot forward or right foot
forward. In addition, you need to decide on the stance. The diagram is a beginner’s
stance.
Click on the icon below for more details about Binding
Stance Settings
Water Ski World
Call: 1-916-723-2660