Wakeboarding is one of the fastest growing board sports in the world. So naturally, there is a nearly overwhelming selection of wakeboards to choose from. As riding styles become more distinguished, endless wakeboard shapes and constructions miraculously emerge, accommodating nearly every style and ability.

Not only is it important to match the size of your wakeboards to your height and weight, it’s important to know your riding style and the wake you most commonly ride in order to gain optimal performance from your wakeboards. When choosing a wakeboard that the whole family will use, always choose the board that will suit the largest family member !

Throughout the years different riders have been known to ride wakeboards that may seem too big or too small for them according to the manufacturer’s sizing chart. The reason is that wakeboards a size smaller or a size bigger can help distinguish a certain style of riding.

Sizing down will make the wakeboard feel lighter, spin faster and seem more aggressive. But your landings do suffer. There is not as much surface area to plane across the water, so the wakeboard will not float you as well. You will have to work a little harder to keep the nose from digging in and you may have to increase your boat speed a bit to help you plane. However, smaller wakeboards are great for people who like to do a lot of handle-pass flips and spins and move around the water fast.

Sizing your wakeboards up from your established size lends a slower, smoother style. A bigger wakeboard moves slower in the water, making you look smoother. The bigger surface area makes the wakeboard act a little like a truck, but really lets you spin slowly and hold on to those grabs for a long time. If you are into going big, the increased surface area lets the wakeboard land softer, saving your body from the bigger impacts.

So what size should I start with ?

Below are some guidelines to help you. Remember these are a guide only and that your riding style, height and also the range of people and uses will impact upon the size you may eventually choose.

The width of a wakeboard determines two things: how easily it pops off the wake and how quickly it turns. Narrow ends will make the board turn more quickly in the water but will not release off of the wake as easily. A wide center portion of the board will give you more pop off of the wake but takes away some of your edging capabilities. For a larger wake, choose a wider board because you won't need as much speed to get a lot of air and your landings will be much softer due to the extra surface area. For a smaller wake, choose a narrower board.

The rocker is the composition of the bottom of the board. There are two types of rocker, the 3-stage rocker and the continuous rocker. A three stage rocker is angular. There are three sections of the board that meet each other at angles. This is good for getting explosive pop off of the wake and directs your momentum more upwards into the air. But the landings on a 3 stage board are rougher. A board with a continuous rocker is arched rather than angled. This directs your momentum outward rather than upward and helps you go farther into the flats on big jumps. It also helps to cushion your landings.

The number and size of the fins on the bottom of the board will effect how hard it edges and how "loose" it is in the water. There are two types of fins, those that are screwed in and those that are molded in. They work the same way. The more fin surface-area you have on your board, the more responsive it will be to your edging and the tighter it will be. If you have small fins, your board will be looser, allowing you to spin on top of the water; making you rely on your edge to turn. Some pro riders use boards with fins, others don't. It depends on your style. Beginning riders will probably want the added stability that large fins provide.

Finding the right board is only half the battle when it comes to shopping for a wakeboarding setup. You can't ride that board without bindings, and not just any bindings will do. Using ill-suited bindings can lead to sore feet, poor riding, and even some serious injuries. Beginners will benefit most from a snug, supportive binding so if you can afford it then they buy the best binding your budget will allow.

Below are some guidelines to help you choose the correct binding for you.

One of the most important things to do when buying wakeboard bindings is to make sure that you get the right size for your feet. You want them to be snug, but not too tight. Bindings that are too small will end up hurting your feet, limiting the amount of time you will be able to be on the water. On the flip side of the coin, bindings that are too big can lead to some bad injuries. You don't want your feet to fall out of your bindings except in the hardest of falls. Most manufacturers have a Small, Medium, Large, Extra-Large sizing scheme that will fit the majority of foot sizes.

Some bindings are stiff while others are flexible. What you want all comes down to your riding style. People coming from a snowboarding background will tend to feel more comfortable in stiffer bindings while people from a water ski background tend to like more flexible bindings. Flexibility can also tie into ankle support; flexible bindings will give you greater mobility and allow you to stylize your riding a bit more, but stiff bindings are easier on your ankles.

The weight of bindings is a huge factor. It is generally better to have lighter bindings. The downside is that light bindings are more likely to rip, tear, or break. But the lighter your board and bindings are, the higher you will be able to go.

Ankle injuries are the most common type of injury in wakeboarding (followed closely by knee injuries). Side-to-side and front-to back rigidity will help to protect your ankles in nasty falls. If you have bad ankles already, this is doubly important.

There are several different types of bindings on the market. Each one has its own unique way to tighten and loosen them. Find something that you will be comfortable doing in the water. Some examples are lace-pulls, cranks and hinges. The material the bindings are made of is also something to watch out for. Some bindings have a slippery cloth lining while others are made of rubber. Remember when you are shopping that it will be easier to get them on and off when they are wet.

Obviously, we've only just touched on the basics here. If you're in the market for a wakeboard, come into the store and talk to our knowledgeable staff. Alternatively, call or drop us an e-mail if you'd like to know more.