Serious newb

[Gybson]

Hey all! I wanted to give wakeboarding a try, but don't necessarily want to invest a whole lot. I'm no novice to boating or towing, but I am a novice to wakeboarding. I've waterskiid and tubed plenty of times. I was always put off by wakeboarding because someone told me when I was young that you had to start at a dock (wtf?). I see that's definitely not the case... I've always been a terrific snowboarder (and really ****ty skiier), so I figure that may translate well.

Anyhow, I don't really want to blow a bunch of money on equip unless I end up really enjoying it. I'm assuming I can just buy a board/bindings and hook up using my skii rope? I don't *need* a tower unless I get good and try to do flips and stuff, right?

Just wanted to make sure I'm not missing anything...

TIA!

 

[Nickypoo]

Re: Serious newb

Yes just buy a board and bindings off craigslist or something and you're good to go. Your ski rope will work for now and a tower isn't necessary. When you start looking it would be a good idea to post here to make sure you're getting a good deal on the board you want.

Who told you that you need to start at a dock? Lmao

 

[BoatDrinksQ5]

Re: Serious newb

Yeah thats about it - just make sure you look into the length of the board...in relation to your height. and/or the average height/weight of the people that will be using the board.

Can find lots of cheap boards on craigslist if you want to just try it out without dropping much $

 

[Gybson]

Re: Serious newb

Cool, that's what I figured, thanks!

My dad told me that when I was young. I saw it on ESPN or something and they were (oddly enough) launching from docks, so I figured he's right... I obviously learned years later, but I hadn't had a boat of my own yet and my family had to sell theirs.

What size should I look at? I'm a bigger guy. 5'11" 210. They don't work the same way snowboard sizing works, do they?

 

[skydiveD30571]

Re: Serious newb

There's some good info about boards and sizing here:

http://www.evo.com/how-to-choose-a-wakeboard-and-wakeboard-size-chart.aspx

Your comfort on a snowboard will definitely help you out on a wakeboard, but the biggest difference is the weight distribution. As you know, in snowboarding you have your weight forward and use your back foot to help steer. In wakeboarding its opposite, weight back. You'll notice it when you start, but I bet you figure it out pretty quick.

 

[BoatDrinksQ5]

Re: Serious newb

Yes and be mindful of your edges (just like on a snowboard) - your eyelids will thank you!

 

[Lake Lizzard]

Re: Serious newb

Tia - If you have a wakeboard cable park in your area your should check it out. You can rent gear to try it out and if the have a two tower setup you will learn to get up really quickly. There is one in Fairfield if you ever get down that way.

http://www.cleveland.com/travel/index.ssf/2009/07/ohio_wakeboarding_park_offers.html

 

[Gybson]

Re: Serious newb

Tia - If you have a wakeboard cable park in your area your should check it out. You can rent gear to try it out and if the have a two tower setup you will learn to get up really quickly. There is one in Fairfield if you ever get down that way.

http://www.cleveland.com/travel/index.ssf/2009/07/ohio_wakeboarding_park_offers.html

Not sure I do...I'd have to do a bit of research. I just go out on the lake (Erie) and see others doing it. I actually dated a girl from Fairfield. Small world. Didn't work out though... I don't get down that way much unless I'm going to our Cincinnati office for work though...

Also, another odd coincidence. My nickname is Mr. Lizzard, with two Zs, go figure...