Choosing the Right Wakeboard

A wakeboard can be a great way to add a little bit of fun to your afternoon on the water, and some people turn it into a more serious pastime or even profession. Wakeboarding has drawn lots of attention in recent years and you might be thinking about hopping on this train. But you should know that not all wakeboards are built equally and knowing the more basic differences can help you make a more informed decision about which one is going to be best for you. Surfride Marine has provided a list of tips for buying the right wakeboard to help get you started, but you’re also going to need the boat to match, so stop by our location in Mesa, Arizona, near Phoenix and we’ll show you around. 

The Basics

For those who may not know what we’re talking about, you can think of wakeboarding as kind of like snowboarding on the water. You’ll be standing on a board that’s getting towed behind a boat. Wake refers to the ripples the boat makes as it’s cutting through the water and wakeboarders take full advantage of this. They hit the waves to get some serious air and do tricks or simply just throw in a little more thrill. You’ll want to work your way up to some of the more complicated stuff, but it can be a fun goal to set for yourself and your friends. But your experience as a wakeboard rider might inform what kind of wakeboard you get.

Wakeboard Anatomy

So let’s break down the wakeboard itself. There are three main areas you’ll want to be aware of while you’re shopping around. We’ll start with flex. Flex refers to the flexibility of the board. This can be a personal preference for each rider, but it’s going to affect how the board skids across the water so some riders may have pickier tastes about this.

You’ll also want to think about the rocker. The rocker refers to the curve of the board and can affect how easy it is to maneuver through the water. A higher rocker can make jumps and landings easier while a lower rocker will give less drag.

Finally, you’ll want to consider whether or not you’ll want fins. Fins are more optional, because they can create problems for more experienced or serious wakeboarders. However, they help give the rider more control, so they can be incredibly helpful for beginners.

Different Types of Boards

Some people get serious about what they want, but there are enough generalized needs that there are groups of wakeboards that can help you quickly find what you need. Boat boards are usually pretty sturdy and heavy with less flex and often feature fins. They can a great option if you need more help maintaining control at high speeds. Or, if you need to let loose a little bit, consider a Wake Park board. They won’t perform as well in high speeds because of the pressure it exerts on the board, but they can make stunts and tricks a lot easier.

For those who don’t want something in the extremes, consider a Hybrid board. It combines the flex of a Wake Park board with the sturdier features of a Boat board. This makes them more versatile and the perfect choice for someone who maybe doesn’t have enough experience to know what they want. 

With all this in mind, it’s time to start making some investments. You should be ready to start picking out a wakeboard that you like, but you may also need to start looking for a good wakeboard boat. This is where Surfride Marine comes in. Stop by our dealership in Mesa, AZ and we’ll give you the full tour of the crafts we have available right now so you can start your on-water fun as soon as possible. We’re near Phoenix, so visit us today!