Wakeboard Size Guide & Tech Explanation

Reasons to Choose a Shorter Wakeboard

The feeling you get from a shorter wakeboard depends on the board’s shape, but in general, shorter boards are slower and take more energy to push through the water. The more surface area the board has on the water, the faster it will move across the surface. However, a shorter wakeboard is easier to spin and maneuver in the air as you flip or fly across the wake. The decreased surface area also makes landings harder and the nose may tend to dig in, which causes your nose and the rest of your face to dig into the water too.

Reasons to Choose a Longer Wakeboard

Longer wakeboards are typically easier to ride and learn on, they have a solid boost-off-the-wake feel. Longer wakeboards are heavier which means you work harder against the weight in the air, but you also get more control. That makes longer boards great for learning tricks and the basics for the first time. A longer wakeboard has more surface area so it will sit on top of the water nicely and move quickly through the water. The increased surface area of a longer wakeboard makes for softer landings.

Choosing a Wakeboard by Ability Level

In general, anyone can ride any shape wakeboard as long as it is large enough. Some shapes make it easier to learn, but a “beginner” should not shy away from an “advanced” board shape. Likewise, an “advanced” rider will not necessarily be restrained by riding a “beginner” board shape. The most important factor is selecting the right size. Choosing a wakeboard is a personal preference and should be fun; pursue your curiosities about a certain shape and if a board has a rad graphic, go ahead and let that factor into your decision.

Beginner & Intermediate Wakeboards

If you have never ridden before, ride occasionally, or are just beginning to cross the wake, check out beginner-intermediate wakeboards. In general, these wakeboards have continuous or mellow 3-stage rockers and tend to be priced for recreational riders.

Intermediate - Advanced Wakeboards

If you are crossing the wake in both directions and clearing the wake, take a look at intermediate-advanced wakeboards. There is a ton of variety in this category, so make sure you read up on the wakeboard features below to understand which features compliment your riding style before you decide on a wakeboard.

Advanced-Expert Wakeboards

If you know how to spin, are attempting new tricks, stomping inverts or wakeboarding while juggling horseshoes you probably want to look at advanced-expert wakeboards. In general, these wakeboards have aggressive continuous or 3-stage rockers and are less forgiving. Advanced-Expert Wakeboards are often rider pro models. The bottom line is that these wakeboards are aggressive.

Now that you know your ability level, learn how the different features of your wakeboard will affect the feel of your ride.

Wakeboard Rocker and Riding Style

Continuous Rocker Wakeboards

A continuous rocker has one fluid, curved shape. Wakeboards with continuous rocker provide fast, smooth rides and allow you to link together turns more easily. You can generate a lot of speed on a continuous rocker wakeboard. Speed and a very predictable pop (height) when you hit the wake will shoot you farther out into the flats. Continuous rocker wakeboards are great for carving, especially on those flat, glassy mornings.

3-Stage Rocker Wakeboards

A wakeboard with a 3-stage rocker features three distinct planes on the bottom of the board, similar to the Styrofoam dish your Taco Del Mar grilled halibut tacos come in. A 3-stage rocker causes your wakeboard to respond with more pop (height) when you hit the wake. However, more rocker is not necessarily better in every circumstance. With a more dramatic rocker, a wakeboard has a looser or slippery feel on the water surface. In addtion, the shape causes the board to plow rather than cut through the water, making it slower. Your fins become less effective and you must rely more on edging the wakeboard. Boards with 3-stage rocker have a flatter center spot which makes the impact of landings more intense and gives a slight sluggish feel after landing.

Hybrid Rocker Wakeboards

Hybrid 3-Stage, Abrupt Continuous, Blended 3-Stage, and Hybrid Rocker are all names given to rocker profiles living somewhere between a Continuous and 3-Stage Rocker. Each brand and board offers a different combination.

Camber Wakeboards

The most recently introducted wakeboard profile, camber takes it's inspiration from classic ski and snowboard shapes. Camber allows you to ride more centered than a continuous or 3-stage rocker line and totally changes your weight distribution on the water. Prepare to be pleasantly surprised once you get the hang of it!

Wakeboard Base Shapes & Materials

Concaves

These are basically special dents on the bottom of your wakeboard that create lift and act as suction-reducing accelerators so the board will sit higher in the water and cruise like a hovercraft. Cool.

Channels

Channels act like long, extruded fins on the bottom of the board and break surface tension before the rest of the wakeboard hits. Think swan dive vs. belly-flop.

V-Shape Spines

Spines help soften landings and allow you to easily roll from edge to edge similar to the v hull shape of some boats. V-shapes are often added to wakeboards with 3-stage rockers to soften landings.

Featureless

Wakeboards without any molded-in fins or channels are considered featureless. A featureless bottom leaves the work and performance to the wakeboard’s shape alone; the overall shape, rocker and fin setup on your board will really affect the ride.

Base Material

You will want to consider base material if you will be using your wakeboard on sliders that may impact the base.

Grind Base

Grind bases were developed in response to the increasing popularity of rail riding. This style of riding requires a tough base with exceptional durability to withstand the wear and tear from sliding over PVC, metal or docks.

Wakeboard Edges

Sharpness

The sharper the edge or rail, the more aggressively the wakeboard will track, resulting in improved acceleration and overall speed. The drawback of a sharp edge is that it is easier to catch an edge, resulting in a fly swatter-like effect with your face. A sharp edge is less forgiving than its rounded counterpart. Riders who enjoy surface tricks or riding sliders are advised to look for wakeboards with rounder or variable edges to give a buttery feel. Riders who like an agressive, hard carving ride will feel at home on a sharper rail. Grip it and rip it.

Variable Edged Boards

These give you a blend of feel and performance found in sharp versus round edged boards. Variable edged boards have different sharpnesses in the middle vs. the tip and tail of the board. Variable edges are thicker and rounder (softer) in the middle of the wakeboard and grow progressively thinner (sharper) towards the tip and tail. The variable edge allows the wakeboard to maintain a high level of tracking/grip during edging while at the same time giving you a soft, forgiving edge for butter slides or any surface tricks. The variable edge, “soft to sharp” pattern, creates lift and pop towards board center and the thinner edges towards the ends make the wakeboard faster and better suited for carving.

Wakeboard Fins

Wakeboard Fin Placement and Size

Deeper or longer fins create a more stable ride and reduce your ability to break the board free for surface tricks…actually, any tricks. Beginning riders often benefit from longer, deeper fins when they start riding. As you advance you may want to break the board loose with less effort by removing fins or selecting a board with less traction. A higher quantity of fins or fins placed near the outside edges of the wakeboard will be more effective. Cable park boards often have no fins at all, for spins, for tricks, and for safety.

Removable vs Molded-In Wakeboard Fins

Fin Maintenace

Check fin screws regularly to make sure they are securely attached to your wakeboard. The fins and their screws do not float. When you nick your removable fins, don't fret; you can sand them out or purchase new fins, or ride without them.

Wakeboard Maintenance

• Keep your wakeboard out of the sun for long periods of time. Sun damages gear just like skin.
• Always inse your gear with fresh water after use in salt water.
• Protect your investment with a wakeboard bag for storage and transportation. Bags fend off bumps, scratches, and limit board exposure to the sun as well as protect your boat. Be sure to dry your wakeboard before leaving it in its bag for a long period of time.
• Store your gear in a cool, dry location.