Choosing the Right Wakeboard
There are countless activities to engage in while out on your boat. Some people prefer a laidback boating experience, casting out some lines and catching some fish. Others prefer to take part in more exciting activities like wakeboarding. It’s highly advisable to give wakeboarding a try if you’re a perpetual thrillseeker.
If it’s your first time, we’ve got the lowdown on wakeboards so you can be prepared. We are available for all your wakeboarding needs at Active Water Sports! We proudly serve Portland, Salem, Eugene, and Central Oregon as well as Vancouver, Washington.
Knowing the Basics
You’ll want to be briefed on wakeboarding basics before you attempt to dive in. Wakeboarding is similar to snowboarding on water rather than snow. You’re securely strapped onto the board but in this case, it’s towed behind a boat. The name of the sport is derived from the wake that is created behind the boat, which is the area you’ll be taking advantage of when you start trying to do tricks and jumps. Don’t get too ahead of yourself because pulling off tricks and jumps is a skill that’s built up over time. Beginners are better off finding their wakeboarding groove first, even if that means just being towed behind the boat at high speeds.
Wakeboard Anatomy
Learning about the anatomy of a wakeboard will ultimately help you determine what features you’ll be looking for when you choose your first board. There are three major parts that make up a wakeboard and those are the flex, the rocker, and the fins.
The first part of the wakeboard is the flex. This quite literally refers to the flexibility of the board. The flex affects the way the board will skid across the water. More experienced wakeboarders will tend to gravitate toward stiffer boards for more intensity. Newer riders should proceed with caution when it comes to stiffer boards because they can be harder to handle.
Next in the wakeboard anatomy lesson is the rocker, which refers to the curve of the board. The higher the rocker, the more stability you’ll have when handling jumps and landings. Lower rockers tend to give less drag. Not all boards will have a significant curve so keep that in mind.
Lastly, you have an optional feature which is the fins. You’ll have to consider what level of boarding you’ll be doing before you decide if you want to add them or not. Fins help with control, which isn’t a bad idea for a new wakeboarder who needs that extra assistance. Some wakeboarders come with fins already built into them.
Types of Wakeboards
You always have the option to purchase a customizable wakeboard. Remember that there are already certain groups of boards that are geared towards a specific kind of wakeboarding.
As an example, Boat boards are sturdy options with less flex and they often come with built-in fins. Boat boards are a great option for riders who want the most control, even when being towed at maximum speed.
The next option is a Wake Park board which is essentially the opposite of a Boat board. While this kind of board isn’t built for handling high-speed pressure, it’s easier to maneuver which makes them ideal for pulling off cool stunts and tricks.
If you’re looking for something in between these two extremes, you might consider a Hybrid board. Hybrid boards combine the flex in found in a Wake Park board with the sturdiness of a Boat board. Since these boards do not have either of the extremes, they can be a little tougher for pulling off stunts but they are also way more versatile. A hybrid is always a good option for someone who is still figuring out their wakeboarding style.
Now that we’ve informed you about how to choose the right wakeboard, it’s time to take the plunge! Visit us today at Active Water Sports and we’ll help you out. We proudly serve Portland, Salem, Eugene, and Central Oregon as well as Vancouver, Washington.