Wakeboard Selection Guide for Everyone!
Nowadays, there are countless wakeboard brands and types to choose from if you're looking to invest in your own set. What kind of board should you buy? How much should you spend? Why is one board more expensive than another?
Before diving into browsing wakeboards, consider the following points:
- Where will you use the board most often? (Park, boat, etc.)
- What is your current skill level, and how deeply do you want to get into the sport?
- What are your experiences with boards you've already ridden?
- How much are you willing to spend?
+1 Tip for Advanced Riders:
If you’re particularly drawn to a specific style (e.g., hitting obstacles, doing inverts, long continuous rides), this can greatly narrow down your choices when selecting a board.
It's worth mentioning that we don’t like selling anything blindly. That’s why all the wakeboards we offer can be tested at the PRO SHOP located at the Dunaharaszti Waterski Cable Park.
Types of Wakeboards
Wakeboards are categorized into three types: Boat, Crossover, and Park wakeboards.
1. Boat Wakeboards
These are typically very stiff boards, equipped with fins and pronounced water channels on the underside.
2. Crossover Boards
These are usually either:
- Cable park-style boards with removable fins, or
- Boat-style boards, also equipped with fins.
It's important that the fins are removable so the board can be used in both settings, and it should have at least a Grindbase layer on the underside for protection. These boards have minimal flex, making sliding on obstacles more enjoyable.
3. Park Wakeboards
This is the category where we offer the widest range in the country, and it’s also where we have the most expertise.
Characteristics of Park Wakeboards
When wakeboarding was first invented, there were no cable parks or cable-specific wakeboards. It’s been about 10 years since the first wakeboards designed specifically for cable parks were introduced. Here are their key features:
-
Smoother Underside:
Since you’ll spend a lot of time on obstacles, it’s crucial for the board to have a smooth underside so that it makes broad contact with sliders/kickers, ensuring stability. -
Grindbase Layer:
A durable, slippery plastic layer on the underside protects the board’s core from wear, significantly extending its lifespan. (Every manufacturer uses its proprietary material, but none is inherently better than the others.) -
Protected Sidewalls:
These are typically made of ABS plastic or urethane to protect the board’s core. If you hit an obstacle with the edge of the board, this material absorbs the impact. -
Core Material:
Usually made of wood or a combination of wood and foam. These constructions are ideal because they allow the board to flex, making it less prone to breaking compared to a rigid, foam-only core.
What Size Do I Need?
Knowing your skill level is crucial before choosing the right size. Recently, oversized wakeboards have become trendy, with riders opting for boards that are up to 10 cm longer than the recommended size. However, if you’re a beginner, it’s best to stick to the “prescribed” size to ensure balanced progress.
Here’s a rough guide to rider weight and board length:
| Rider Weight | Board Length |
|---|
| 45 kg | < 130 cm |
| 40 - 55 kg | 130 - 134 cm |
| 55 - 65 kg | 134 - 138 cm |
| 65 - 80 kg | 138 - 143 cm |
| 80+ kg | > 143 cm |
Larger boards have a greater surface area, making them more stable, easier to land on, simpler to press on obstacles, and better for popping (jumping). However, they are harder to transition edge-to-edge, more difficult to spin with, and less ideal for learning inverted tricks.
When choosing a size, your experience level in the sport and the sizes of boards you've ridden so far come into play. We encourage everyone to try out as many different boards as possible before buying! If you're confident on the course, you can go above the recommended size. If you're a beginner, we recommend sticking to the standard guidelines.
If we’ve only confused you further, we’re happy to assist anytime, either in person or over the phone, to share our expertise! Call us at +36 70 229 4810, or use the chat window on our website, and we’ll respond as soon as possible!
Happy riding!
The Buywake.hu Team