There is no such thing as the best board, only the most suitable board for a wakeboarder. It is now difficult to keep track of the wide range on offer. The following guidelines will make it easier for you. When choosing a board, it is crucial to consider what type of wakeboard you are.
First there is the beginner who dares his first attempts on the board. A board that stays on course and is easy to ride is important to him, so the board should have deep fins and channels. Later, the fins can be unscrewed, making the board more difficult to ride, but also easier to turn. There are also the classic all-rounders who jump inverts but are not averse to obstacles either. The general public belongs to this type. We recommend a wakeboard with channels on which additional fins can be mounted. When learning new jumps, the fins give more stability. A wakeboard with a grind base also protects the board from excessive wear and tear from obstacles. Certain tricks on obstacles work easier if the board is equipped with some flex.
In addition, there are also the pure obstacles lovers, who are referred to as "jibbers". You need a wakeboard with a lot of flex and a maximum of one channel. Fins are superfluous, but the grind base is all the more necessary.
In contrast, the "invert springers", who concentrate exclusively on jumps and tricks on the water, do not need a grind base and ride well with firmly attached fins.
The boat and cable rider presents wakeboard manufacturers with special challenges. On the one hand, the board should be stiff in order to generate a quick impulse on the wave, on the other hand, it should have good edge hold thanks to mountable double channels and fins. At the same time, a V-rocker bottom is required for a soft landing and a rocker shape for a good pop. Sounds difficult, but there are enough boards that make this compromise. Wakeboards are found in lengths from 111 to 147 centimeters. The width varies between 38 and 50 centimeters.
In general, beginners tend to go for longer and wider boards because they are more stable and the wakeboarder is less exposed to traction. More advanced riders like to reach for shorter, narrower boards. A board up to 126 centimeters is usually suitable for a body weight of up to 50 kilograms. However, there are precise tables that take weight and height into account. The speeds are usually higher on the boat, so it is better to choose a slightly longer wakeboard.
For the wakeboard beginner everything sounds quite complex and unmanageable at first. But don't stress! If you let professionals advise you, you will quickly find the wakeboard equipment that suits you best, which guarantees you optimal riding fun.