There is no such thing as the best board, only the most suitable board for a wakeboarder. It is now difficult to keep track of the wide range on offer. The following guidelines will make your work easier. When choosing a board, it is crucial to consider what type of wakeboarder you are.
First there is the beginner who makes his first attempts on the board. A board that stays on course and is easy to ride is important to him, so the board should have deep fins and channels. Later the fins can be unscrewed, making the board more difficult to ride but also easier to turn. There are also the classic all-rounders who jump inverted, but are not averse to obstacles. The general public belongs to this type. We recommend a wakeboard with channels on which additional fins can be mounted. When learning new jumps, the Finns provide more stability. A wakeboard with a grind base also protects the board from excessive wear and tear caused by obstacles. Certain tricks on obstacles work easier when the board has some flex.
In addition, there are also the pure obstacles lovers who are referred to as “jibbers”. You need a wakeboard with a lot of flex and a maximum of one channel. Fins are unnecessary, but the grind base is even more necessary.
In contrast, the "Invert Jumpers", who focus exclusively on jumps and tricks on the water, do not require a grind base and ride well with fixed fins.
The boat and cable rider presents wakeboard manufacturers with special challenges. On the one hand, the board should be stiff in order to generate a quick impulse on the wave, and on the other hand, it should have good edge hold thanks to the mountable double channels and fins. At the same time, a V-rocker bottom is needed for a soft landing and a rocker shape for a good pop. Sounds difficult, but there are enough boards that make this compromise. Wakeboards are available in lengths from 111 to 147 centimeters. The width varies between 38 and 50 centimeters.
In general, beginners tend to opt for longer and wider boards as they are more stable and the wakeboarder is exposed to less traction. Advanced riders like to use shorter, narrower boards. A board up to 126 centimeters is usually suitable for a body weight of up to 50 kilograms. However, there are precise tables that take weight and height into account. Speeds are usually higher on the boat, so it is better to choose a slightly longer wakeboard.
For the wakeboarding beginner, this all sounds quite complex and unmanageable. But no worry! If you get advice from professionals, you will quickly find the wakeboarding equipment that suits you best, which guarantees you optimal riding fun.