The Best Wakeboard

Buying Guide

Wakeboarding is a sport that got its start approximately 30 years ago as a hybrid between surfing, snowboarding and water skiing. The origin of the sport is often attributed to surfer Tony Finn, who created the first wakeboard in 1985 and named it the Skurfer. This new water activity allowed individuals to be pulled by a boat and perform tricks in the wake. The wakeboard has evolved over the years, allowing riders to have the most amazing experiences while out on the water.

As you shop for your first wakeboard, you’ll need to consider both the board’s length and your weight. Riders under 100 pounds will need to stick to shorter boards, while riders between 100 and 160 pounds do best with medium-sized boards. Long boards are meant for riders who weigh 160 pounds or more. There are online sizing charts you can refer to that will help you match your weight to the ideal board length, which is generally listed in centimeters.

Review the board’s construction materials next. First, you’ll want to consider the core: Do you want a stiffer, more standard foam middle, or a more pliable wood core? Then, look at the exterior. In general, you’ll want to find a wakeboard that is designed using layered glass for durability and strength with a touch of flex.

Look at the board’s shape. Wider boards pop off the water well but don’t curve as well. Narrow boards offer the opposite experience.

You’ll also need to look at the board’s rocker, which refers to how it curves when it’s placed on a flat surface. Each offers a different kind of ride. There are boards with a single continuous curve, which offers a smooth and predictable ride. Flat or 3-stage rockers have curved sides and a flat bottom for less speed, more pop. Camber boards have a raised bump along one section of their profile, offering less height but more control off the wake.  You can also find hybrids of the above types.

You can get sidewalls on your board to reinforce its strength. If you’re a beginner, you can also look for squared-off edges, which provide better tracking, or rounded edges to help land tricks more easily. Boards with v-shaped spines break up the water on impact and allow easier edge transitions. Fins and channels are also features you may wish to consider.

Don’t forget to take style into consideration. You’ll find wakeboards that feature simple color combinations, such as blue and white, as well as boards that are decorated with bright geometric shapes.

• When not in use, keep your wakeboard out of the path of direct sunlight. If you have a garage or outdoor shed, these are excellent storage options. Of course, you can always keep them in the trunk of your car if you plan on heading back out for more fun in the next few days.
• Always rinse your wakeboard with fresh water after use in saltwater. The salt can corrode the wakeboard’s fittings, which are typically made from metal or chrome.
• Unlike surfboards, wakeboards do not need to be waxed.
• Use caution when applying sunscreen. You don’t want to take a chance that the sunscreen will land on the wakeboard. If it gets in the bindings, it will not only make the bindings slippery, but may also deteriorate the rubber portions of the bindings.
• A binding lube is permitted if needed.
• Cracks happen sometimes when you land hard or in an unusual manner. Those cracks, however, can quickly lead to a broken board. It’s best to examine your wakeboard before and after each use and fix any issues sooner rather than later. Otherwise, you may end up having to replace the board entirely.
• Take time to improve upon your wakeboarding skills during the cold winter months. Grab a balance board and practice on it while watching various wakeboard videos. If you enjoy doing daring tricks and stunts, you can also spend some time practicing moves on a trampoline.
• Choose your accessories carefully. If you have a non-stretch rope and a handle that’s comfortable to hold, you won’t need to purchase a pair of gloves as well.
• Construction materials and board size play a big role when it comes to the price of a wakeboard. You’ll find wakeboards that are more basic are budget-friendly, while wakeboard’s with a layered glass construction have a higher price tag.