Wakeboard Buying Guide

Safety is a top priority when engaging in any water sport. Ensure you consult all safety information provided by manufacturers before use.

There are a wide variety of wakeboards out there, in various colours and shapes. Some may look better than others, however, performance matters more than looks though, so make sure you thoroughly consider a wakeboard's features and choose one based on your skill level and wakeboarding style.

Selecting Your Wakeboard

Wakeboard rails: The edges on a wakeboard, that is, the rails, determine speed. If you're a beginner, look for squared edges that provide control and stability. However, if you're more advanced at wakeboarding, then choose a wakeboard with rounded edges to achieve faster speeds and get a quicker lift for tricks.

Wakeboard tips: The ends of your wakeboard will determine which direction it can travel. Single-tip wakeboards are pointed at one end and squared at the other, allowing you to ride in a single direction, a bit like skiing. There are also twin-tip wakeboards, designed with a rounded front and back to help you switch directions and complete tricks. Consider getting one of these if you have snowboarding and skateboarding experience.

Wakeboard length: The average length of a wakeboard is between 120cm to 150cm. Beginners should look for longer boards that offer more stability in starts and turns.

Wakeboard fins: Wakeboard fins, located on the bottom of the wakeboard, help steer the board. Getting a few sets of fins allows for greater versatility. While smaller, thinner fins work well in smooth water, you'll get more stability in rough waters with wider and deeper fins.

Wakeboard rocker: "Rocker" refers to the curve of a wakeboard. Wakeboards normally have rockers of 5cm to 6cm. A higher, or more rounded, rocker makes for easier, softer landings on jumps, while a lower, or flatter, rocker will give you better control and faster acceleration.

Wakeboard bindings: For a good balance of control and safety, buy yourself some snug-fitting and comfortable wakeboard bindings. Underlays, the parts of the bindings that contact the top of your foot, vary in stiffness. Select a stiffer underlay for increased support. Overlays, the part of the bindings that hold your feet down, often have adjustable straps, laces, or buckles.

Buy wakeboarding supplies

It is important to ensure that you are always feeling safe and comfortable while on your wakeboard.

Wakeboarding apparel: Wearing a full wetsuit will help to keep you warmer in chilly water or just protect yourself from rash and sunburn with a wet shirt.

Personal flotation devices (PFD): For safety reasons, make sure you wear a life jacket or vest when you wakeboard.

Wakeboard rope: Buy some stiff wakeboard rope made from spectra rather than a general-purpose rope used for water skiing, to help you perform tricks. Wakeboard ropes are mostly between 18m or 21m in length and often provide adjustment loops.

Wakeboard handles: Get a wide wakeboard handle (33cm to 38cm) to make your tricks and aerial manoeuvres easier. Wearing wakeboard gloves or general water sports gloves is a good idea so that your hands are protected and you've got a better grip.