How to Buy a Wakeboard

Wakeboarding provides a unique set of highs. It also commands a unique set of abilities more advanced than ordinary water skiing. Wakeboarding continues to grow in popularity. Buying a wakeboard takes know-how that most beginners lack because equipment and products are a little more sophisticated than other sports.

Instructions

1. Go to your local bookstore and purchase Wakeboard magazines. Wakeboarding, Alliance Wake and Boarder are the popular ones. Wakeworld online is a great online magazine about wakeboarding. Study these magazines and learn about wakeboards, specifically how they differ by levels of experience and types of equipment.

2. Determine your level of wakeboarding. If you are just starting out, then you need to consider buying basic equipment designed more for beginners. If you have been wakeboarding for a while, then you are an advance wakeboarder and need to purchase your boards with that in mind.

3. Decide what type of conditions you like to wakeboard. The conditions of the water you will be wakeboarding in requires different size fins. For example, if you know that most of your wakeboarding will be in rough waters, then get a board with a larger fin. Larger fins give you more stability and control when you bounce on the choppy water. But, for smooth, clear water a small, a thin fin works better.

4. Pick out your bindings. Some wakeboards come with bindings, cheaper ones, while most boards come without and you have to have your board fitted with bindings.

Tips & Warnings

• A beginner wakeboarder looks for stability with long, sweeping moves that cuts outside the wake of the boat. Beginner boards are not as expensive as advanced boards. You can't do as many tricks and flips on a beginning board but you can edge better.

• Advanced wakeboarders thrive on a board that has round rails compared to a beginner that has square rails. With round rails, stunts are easier and gentler to land on the water because these boards don't catch edges like a beginner's board. Advanced boards are able to go much faster and lift quicker on jumps.

• When deciding on what type of fin to get, go with a ramp style fin because it's user friendly or universal of all shapes of fins. Because there are a variety of riding styles, ramp style fin is best.

• You might want to have a few different sets of fins, which are interchangeable with a simple tool. Conditions can change on the water, and you never know who you might bring along the next time you go out wakeboarding for the day.

• Bindings work better with some flexibility and the ability to adjust for different foot sizes. Good finger holes are key for easy on-and-off. However, if you like to wakeboard with a snug or tight boot, then you'll have to soap up and use force to get your feet in the boots.