Buying a Wakeboard
Watersports are the most exciting way to spend your time on the water, and few watersports are as thrilling and engaging as wakeboarding. But there are a surprising number of wakeboards on the market with different shapes, sizes, and stats, so finding the perfect one can be a chore. We here at Nisswa Marine want to help you get out on the water without too much hassle, so we’ve put together some tips on buying the right wakeboard, below. To learn more, or if you need a wake boat to go with your board, contact our store in Nisswa, Minnesota, today!
Wakeboard Anatomy
Every wakeboard has three basic aspects that impact its performance, as well as how and how well you use it.
Flex
The flex of a wakeboard refers to just how flexible the board itself is. The level of flex will help determine how the board skids across the water and how much bounce you feel as you ride it. This is largely down to your personal preference—everyone prefers a different amount of bounce, so try out a few wakeboards with different flexes to see how they feel for you.
Rocker
The rocker indicates the wakeboard’s natural curvature. This impacts how high you bounce off the wake and how you land on it again. The higher the rocket, the more bounce you’ll experience. Boards with a flatter rocker won’t create as much drag on flat water, however.
Fins
Fins are an optional piece of the anatomy, and many wakeboard models have detachable options. Fins can help you stay in control while on the water, making them great for beginners and for anyone who needs a bit more confidence in their ride.
Board Types
There are three types of wakeboards as well.
Boat Boards
These models are sturdier to help you stay in control behind a speedy boat. They have lexx flex to help conserve energy and tend to have fins.
Wake Park Boards
As the name suggests, these boards are primarily designed to be used in a wake park, so they’ve got more flex and a less sturdy design with more bounce. Dense sidewalls and a lower rocker improve maneuverability to allow easier stunts.
Hybrid Boards
Finally, the hybrid board borrows features from both boat and wake park boards. They’re the jacks-of-all-trades wakeboard model with moderate flex and rockers, plus a relatively sturdy grip. Since these boards don’t excel at either of the two main types of riding, they’re best for folks who don’t want to commit to one or the other.
Ready to get started? Contact us at Nisswa Marine for more information, or to see the wake boats and wake boat accessories we have available. We proudly serve the people of Minneapolis and St. Cloud, Minnesota—let us serve you today!