You’ve seen those awesomely colorful Tige Boats rolling into our marina. You’ve looked at our new website, OnlineWakeboards.com. You read our last post about those wacky terms wakeboarders use. So are you feeling the urge to become a wakeboarder?
Well, before you go back online to purchase one, here are some things you need to know:
1. Match your skill level. You can always upgrade later, so don’t go and buy a board that is way beyond you! Beginners should look for a board with squared edges, which allows for more control and stability. Most wakeboards are labeled with their skill level to help you out.
2. Get the right size. If your board is too small, it will sink, which won’t do you any good! Most manufacturers have sizing charts for the proper weight-to-length and/or height-to-length ratios. If you’re not sure, choose the longer board, because the shorter the board, the less stability in starts and turns. Plus, you can grow into a longer board as you get better.
3. Check your bindings. Getting bindings that fit correctly is really important for increasing your learning success and deacreasing your chance of injury. You want the bindings to be snug, but not so tight you’re in pain. (Also, bindings that are too tight might not release your foot in the event of a fall - which you’ll have plenty of as you learn - and that’s never good.) So try several kinds out and pick the one that’s the most comfortable for you.
4. Find the best fin. Fins are on the bottom of a wakeboard and are used for steering and turning. In smooth water conditions smaller and thinner fins work well. In rougher water conditions a larger, wider fin helps steer the board when it bounces on the water. As a beginner, you probably want a deeper fin. You can try removeable fins to find the best, or just trust the built-in fin on your beginner board.
And last, but not least: try before you buy! You can do all of the research in the world, but at the end of the day, you’ve gotta try a board out to know if it’s comfortable for you.
Are you a wakeboarder with tips for someone looking to purchase their first board?
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