Buying a Wakeboard

Posted January 3rd, 2009 by Charlie.

Things to consider when buying a new or used wakeboard

If you are in the market for a wakeboard but you have no idea what terms like "three stage rocker" and "loose" mean, then read on to discover the things you need to consider as we give you the skinny on purchasing a new wakeboard.

Like any sport there is a lot of Wakeboarding jargon thrown by manufacturers and retailer, so it can seem confusing. Before you step into any outdoor sport store or check out the many available boards online, you need to understand these terms, what they mean for your board, and what you can expect in your new board once you finally decide upon your purchase.

Of course, the first thing that can be said about wakeboards is that they are not always cheap. Since any money you plunk down on a board will likely be hard earned, you want to be sure the board you purchase for yourself is an exact fit. Here are some of the main features of wakeboards and the terminology you should familiarize yourself with to better understand the descriptions of each board.

Length

Length, width, weight, and the rocker all come together to make a wakeboard what it is. However, the most important aspect of each of these is length. The more you weigh, the longer your board should be, with boards measured in centimeters. Getting a board that is too big for you will result in you having a lot of trouble controlling it when jumping, and using a board that is to small could cause you to sink into the water due to your weight.

Width

Aside from the appropriate length, the width determines how quickly you can turn and how quickly you can pop, or jump. Boards that have a narrow profile will offer more edging, but boards that are wider in the middle give you more pop for the wake you are riding. If you plan on riding large wakes, a wider board is beneficial because your landings will be softer, making it easier to maintain your balance.

Weight & Rocker

Weight and rocker have less of an impact than the length and width of your board, but a heavier board will hold you down more. Boards that are made of lighter materials tend to be more expensive, so finding a balance between weight and material is important for your budget. The rocker determines just how much pop you get with your board, with two types: the three stage rocker and the continuous rocker. The type of jumps you want to perform determine the style of rocker you should choose, since the three-stage rocker allows for you to perform higher jumps, while the continuous rocker allows for longer jumps.

As you can see, there are lots of things you should consider when purchasing a wakeboard, but some of the top brands available are Airhead, Liquid Force, and Nash XL, each playing to their own strengths and weaknesses for the different types of wakeboard riders.