How to Gear Up for Wakeboarding

Getting the proper gear together is the first step in wakeboarding. Start out by riding with people who already have their own gear; learn from their successes and mistakes. Once you're sure you want to invest some money in your own gear, here are some tips to get you started.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

Things You’ll Need:

• Safety Flags
• Life Vests
• Ski Boats
• Wakeboard
• Wakeboard Bindings
• Water Ski Ropes
• Waterski Gloves
• Wet Suits

1. Get a boat. While you're saving up for your own, get to know someone who has one, or join a club.
2. Purchase a wakeboard. Consider the riding differences between a big fat board and a small thin board. Fat boards are more stable and make it easier to spin tricks and land after an air, while thin boards are faster, turn better, and are easier to jump on.
3. Consider the board's rocker (the curvature differential between your nose and tail and the center point of your board), fin size (bigger fins turns better; smaller fins spin better) and length (longer boards for taller people). Read through the board guides (easily found on the Web by visiting a major search engine) to learn more. Remember, however, that the real test is riding.
4. Make sure your bindings are snug and comfortable. There are several types of bindings, but the main thing to look for is a snug, comfortable fit. New bindings may even be just a little tight. Use some soapy water to help your feet slide in, and they will begin to wear in as you use them more.
5. Adjust your binding toward the rear of the board if you are a beginner. This helps sink the tail of your board and gives you more control. As you improve, you will want to move the bindings toward the center of the board for more difficult tricks.
6. Start out with about 43 feet of wakeboard rope from the boat (ropes are adjustable). Wakeboard rope is different from water ski rope in that it is slightly more elastic and the weave is flatter near the handle. This increases comfort on wrap tricks. Both types of rope work fine, though, so don't worry too much. Add more length as you improve on your board to make a bigger jumping gap from wake to wake.
7. Wear a properly fitted life jacket.
8. Put on a wet suit to protect yourself from cold water and to minimize the pain of falling.