Getting started with wakeboarding

[JasonB]

Ok, now that I have spent much of this summer with kneeboarding (and having a blast), i want to try wakeboarding. I tried to get up a couple times this year, but just didn't get it right.

I have a 19' bowrider with a V8 - Good here
Added a 6.5-7' pylon for my last kneeboard ride this year - check
Started to try to get up on the WB w/ the tower, but found one of my bindings is unstitched.
I will be getting a 4 blade prop over the winter and devising a way to disable my smart tabs.

My current board is a 10 year old free motion challenger, roto-molded board with troublesome sandal bindings. This board is 139 or 140cm. http://www.wakeworld.com/boardguide/getboard3.asp?ProductID=1159

I would like to be able to ride without feeling like the board is going to fall off at any moment (current bindings). I would also like for the whole family to be able to ride if they wish.

I am mid 30's, 6', 210lbs.

My options seem to be:

1. fix old bindings and plod on
2. get new inexpensive universal type bindings
3. get new decent bindings
4. get new bindings and board for me, fix old bindings for kids to play with

Are there any decent "universal" 142-145cm boards that the entire family could enjoy, but still be fun for me to experiment on? What about bindings? I'm guessing that a 142-145 would be the best size?

 

[surge006]

Re: Getting started with wakeboarding

As far as size im not sure, like snowboarding i go with s smaller size than what is recomended for me, but if you go with a cheaper board your gonna get the cheap slip on bindings that feel like your feet are gonna fall out and with a cheaper board the fins are real small and usually only have one on each end making it really hard to carve at at cause as soon as the fin comes out goodbye your slipping like a skateboard with no trucks on ice. so all and all prob buy a decent one with 3 fins on each side and snowboard stlye bindings and you will never go wrong. My 1st one was a cheaper one small fins and crap bindings thought i was just bad at it till i bought a better one. hope it helps good luck

 

[grahamh]

Re: Getting started with wakeboarding

The board you have have now is a little bit on the small side for you, which is fine once you learn to ride, but it might make learning more frustrating, like you said, around 142 is good. (It's what I ride, and I'm the same size as you)

If you can easily/cheaply fix your old bindings, I would try that first. If you end up enjoying wakeboarding (you probably will) then you can step up to a better board and bindings, but the slip-on bindings won't hold you back now, I learned in them and it was fine. The right sized board will help a lot though, sometimes you can get package deals, and get good bindings at the same time.

I've never had the privilege of learning with a tower, but I've heard its easier, it helps you get out of the water faster.

I wouldn't worry about the smart tabs too much yet, from what I understand, people don't like for wakeboarding because it makes a smaller wake to air off, but when you're learning, it won't matter. You can disable them once you're ready.

 

[JasonB]

Re: Getting started with wakeboarding

I'll try to fix th board I have regardless at this point, or maybe pick up some inexpensive wrap bindings for it. I think I'll keep an eye out for a larger board/better bindings used though. May be some deals in the local classifieds now that the season is ending.

The advantage of the sandals/wraps I guess is that the board comes off easily in a crash = less chance of ankle/knee injury.

 

[Tabes117]

Re: Getting started with wakeboarding

Jason I have found fantastic deals off ebay. I bought my son brand new left over 2006 bindings delivered for under $30. Now that the season is over check out ebay once in a while. I am sure you can find something. I also found a new board for me and one for my son. Both were two years old but brand new.

Just an example I just saw, remember try to wait last second to enter a bid.
http://cgi.ebay.com/RONIX-CELL-WAKE...emQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_0?hash=item27ac269bfb

 

[sickwilly]

Re: Getting started with wakeboarding

Jason, check the Nashville craigslist today. There is a guy with two nice CWB boards. I only have a hydroslide brand wakeboard, but borrow a friends CWB board and its a much better ride with much better bindings. I think the guy only wants $100 each board, or $200 for two of them.

I would go for it, but I am still paying off my high 5 prop -- the boating mad money account is not replenished enough to not get me in hot water with the wife.

PS: he has them listed in the boating section, not sporting goods.

 

[smitty1258]

Re: Getting started with wakeboarding

invest in a decent setup now, youll regret it and end up spending more in the long run if you dont.

 

[sickwilly]

Re: Getting started with wakeboarding

Jason, what kneeboard are you riding? I picked up a compression modled versus rotomolded one cheap off cragislist this year, and damn, that thing flies through the air. Its a couple year old Obrien Richochet. I got so much air a couple of times that I couldnt handle the landing. One time I thought I broke a rib!

I now wish I had spent a little more when I picked up my wakeboard, seeing the difference between this kneeboard and my old standard hydroslide pro kneeboard.

I would say hold out for a better wakeboard.

 

[salty87]

Re: Getting started with wakeboarding

invest in a decent setup now, youll regret it and end up spending more in the long run if you dont.

good fitting gear makes a world of difference. i agree with smitty, do it right now. if you like kneeboarding, you'll prob like wakeboarding. also check around your area for wakeboard clubs, they often have sales or swaps or classified sections on a website. i've bought used stuff before and had good luck too.

kids prob won't like riding a 139, depends on how big they are.

 

[JasonB]

Re: Getting started with wakeboarding

Thanks for the input so far guys. I'm soaking it in.

SW, I ride a rotomolded HO Neutron. Fun stable ride, I would never describe it as flying out of the water. I saw those on CL and meant to e-mailthe guy, but at the moment my play funds are on hold. I should be able to look more around x-mas and maybe invest a bit more for a better board. Have to save enough for a 4blade prop too. If I remember right, don't you live around Franklin? If so, maybe I'll see you on the lake sometime. I'm down the road in Spring Hill.

My kids are 3/6 so things may change by the time they want to ride, but it wouldn't surprise me if the 6yo wants to ride a wakeboard next year. She already loves the kneeboard. Since it has enough bouyancy to float them without moving, they took to it well and like to ride with dad dragging behind them in case they fall off. I would love to add a better kneeboard for me though.

 

[SeanT]

Re: Getting started with wakeboarding

You guys were talking about larger boards earlier. I'm 6'4", 290lbs, and ride a 142cm board. Seems to work fine, but 145cm boards exist? (mentioned above)

 

[JasonB]

Re: Getting started with wakeboarding

143's 144's, and 145's do exist.

 

[sickwilly]

Re: Getting started with wakeboarding

Yup, I remember. Pretty bad boating weather we are having, hugh! I need to go out of town and am thinking I might drain my block today just in case.

I have a kid sized wakeboard too, but can't get them to try it. I need to stab my innertubes!

Enjoy you nice wet fall weekend!

 

[sebber83]

Re: Getting started with wakeboarding

I am 6'2, 200lbs and I chose to ride a 146cm board, I chose the Ronix One as it was the lightest on the market, much lighter than my buddies 140cm liquid forces and Hyperlites. I am already a good spinner from snowboarding, so I had no trouble learning 360's and 540's on the longer board, what the longer board did for me was offer a more stable ride, softened up "in the flats" landings and also allowed me to teach more people to ride with it. It floats so well that I was able to get everyone up pretty much within the first tries every time. I must admit that 1200$ for the set-up is costly, but me and my buddies ride at least 5 times a week from may to october. I put over 300 hours on my Doral this year. As for learning to get up on a wakeboard, try the dock start, and I mean the sitting down on the dock and board in the water start, not the standing on the dock start. Everyone that has tried it this way will then manage to get up from the water the second time around, you just get a good feel for it when starting sitting on the dock!

 

[Dave.Mishchenko]

Re: Getting started with wakeboarding

My wife and I just started wakeboarding this summer and we started with a universal board (135 cm). The bindings were just too tight for me and at 230 lbs I needed a larger board.

We first swapped the universal for a good 135 cm with size 5 -7 bindings. My wife is 135 lbs and the board is good for her weight. For myself I picked up a 144 cm board with 9 - 12 bindings. For my kids 5 - 9 I picked up a 118 board that they'll start on next summer. My 2.5 years old rides on my back .

It would be nice to have a universal board that would fit everyone, but it'll either be too small or too big and sizing is based mostly on the weight of the rider.

I'd also recommend getting a bare foot boom for to start with training. We started the kids water skiing this summer and things were so much easier with the boom. They started holding on to the boom, then as they became more comfortable we started with 2 feet of rope and gradually increased to 15 feet. At that point we switched them to the back. We still use the boom when we take newbs out as it's a great way to learn the fundamentals of being pulled up and we even got the 2.5 year old out on skiis with me hanging on to the boom and the skiis.

 

[JasonB]

Re: Getting started with wakeboarding

Just a follow up. Here's where I'm ending up (unless something doesn't pan out with my binding order).

For me: 2008 Closeout CWB Faction 144 w/ hyperlite Remix bindings (multifit, but gets great reviews and recommendations)

For the wife/kids: The 135 or 139 charger with new Airhead Grip bindings. It is unlikely this board will get used ad the kids are skittish about trying and this board should be an ok for the wife. If the kids do ride, I'll look into a kid specific board.

Is spring here yet?

 

[smitty1258]

Re: Getting started with wakeboarding

that looks good man. The only thing that worries me a bit is the Airhead Grip bindings, have you seen them in person? I wonder how strong the black rubber is near the ankle area.
http://www.amazon.com/Airhead-AIRHEAD-GRIP-Wakeboard-Binding/dp/B0016JA6XU

from the pic, it looks like it might be ok, but once you wear you'll know. Good ankle support was KEY for me.

 

[sebber83]

Re: Getting started with wakeboarding

Hey Jason,
Good choices for yourself, can't go wrong with Hyperlite and CWB, but like smitty said, I am kind of worried about the airhead bindings, they really look like something you would find on a lower end board. Be a little patient and check on sites such as http://www.boardersbestbuy.com/index.php and others, you will find top of the line 2008 model year bindings for less than 100$, I think your families ankles and knees are worth at least that!

but otherwise, nice choices!

 

[JasonB]

Re: Getting started with wakeboarding

I have the grips in front of me and they aren't too bad. They are very temporary. I really doubt they will get ridden this year, but I wanted them on hand in case. If they geta ride or two and decide they enjoy t, we will upgrade to a more proper setup. Any riding on them will be surface/straight line. They won't even see a w2w jump.

 

[smitty1258]

Re: Getting started with wakeboarding

I have the grips in front of me and they aren't too bad. They are very temporary. I really doubt they will get ridden this year, but I wanted them on hand in case. If they geta ride or two and decide they enjoy t, we will upgrade to a more proper setup. Any riding on them will be surface/straight line. They won't even see a w2w jump.

sounds good man.

let us know how the progress goes!