Wakeboarding is one of the most popular sports
in the world since it gives a lot of pleasure
to the players. It requires the players a
more complicated and different set of skills
than the traditional waterskiing. However,
picking a right board would make the sport
easier and smoother. As the sport is getting
more popular, the variety and sophistication
of the boards has increased. Boards vary in
length, width, curvature, fin size and foot
straps or boots.
Wakeboards are comprised of generally the
same materials as water skis. A polyurethane
or foam core is wrapped by a fiberglass or
fiberglass/ graphite composite exterior. Wakeboards
are mostly made between the lengths of 120cm
to 150cm and the widths of 39cm to 43cm. The
width is made in conjunction with the length
of the board. Beginners should choose a slightly
longer board because the shorter the board
the less stability in starts and turns.
How
would beginners and advanced riders select
their boards? If you are a beginner, you
should cull a square railed board that offers
control, stability and the ability for long,
sweeping cuts outside the wake. However,
you will find difficulties to make landings
from air trick because the edges of the
square railed board are sharper. This kind
of beginners’ boards is always cheaper since
they do not include many of the high-tech
additions of more advanced boards. Advanced
riders should pick a board with round rails.
Tricks are easier and softer to land because
there is less of a chance of catching an
edge. Round rails also enable the board
to go faster and provide a quicker lift
on jumps.
Another
factor to determine your selection of boards
other than your experience is your riding
style. If you come from a surfing or water/snow
skiing background, you will probably prefer
a single-tip board. This design has a more
pointed front and a square back, much like
the design of a surfboard. If your experience
has been primarily in snowboarding or skateboarding,
you will be more comfortable with a twin-tip
board. Twin-tips are more rounded in both
the front and back, like a snowboard or
a skateboard.
Different
wakeboard models often come in 2 or 3 particular
lengths for different heights of player.
It is also important to use the weigh station
scale to match the right board to your body
weight.
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