Wakeboard Size
When you want to purchase a wakeboard you need to ensure that you are getting the proper size. The rule of thumb is to compare the size of your board to your body size. For instance, if you are small/petite you would use a small board; if you are a larger person you would use a large board.
Wakeboard Sizing Chart
| Up to 85lb | 119cm |
| Up to 105lb | 121cm |
| Up to 130lb | 130-131cm |
| Up to 160lb | 132-133cm |
| Up to 180lb | 134-135cm |
| Up to 200lb | 136-139cm |
| 200lb and Up | 140cm and up |
It’s important if you are going to share the board that you both are in the same weight group, a small child and an adult would not be able to share a board. This would not be considered a safe condition.
The other factor to consider when purchasing your board is your riding ability, as this will be the determining factor in what type of board you use.
Board Construction
Wakeboards are generally made up of the same materials you find in water skis. A polyurethane or foam core is wrapped by a fiberglass/graphite composite exterior. The length of the board is important. If you recall, you should choose a board based upon your weight. Your height is not a factor. The longer the board the more stability you will have on the water. If you choose a shorter board, you lose your stability in turns. Especially if you are a beginner, you will need to use a longer board. Advanced riders sometimes choose a shorter board for tricks and turns.
Shape
The shape of a wakeboard like everything in this world has a purpose. When you are shopping for a wakeboard, you will be introduced to different types of boards. The amount of rocker describes a wakeboard’s bottom profile using the angles where the board curves at either end.
There are 3 shapes to a wakeboard to choose from. They are the continuous rocker, the continuous/progressive rocker, and finally the three stage rocker.
Fins
These keep the board going in the direction in which you point it and they help to prevent your board from rotating in the water. The fins perform this task by using vertical depth and the shape of the foil, or profile, of the fin from front to back. Wider fins will move more water and create drag and lift under your feet. Thinner fins push less water and the fin will guide your board without resistance.
Ability Level
Your ability level is key in choosing the rocker. Before we get into the three shapes of a wakeboard; let’s finalize your ability level. Beginners should begin using a square rail board that has more control, stability, and a long board that has the ability to provide sweeping cuts outside the wake. The more advanced riders would use the three stage rocker or continuous/progressive rocker. These are more rounded and let’s be honest, they come will the bells and whistles. But if you are just starting out, take it easy and gradually progress into the others.
Board Types
Continuous Rocker-offers a smooth curve from tip to tail. It accelerates smoothly and will have a comfortable pop off the wake.
Continuous/progressive Rocker-these boards have a continuous rocker throughout the board and then become gradually more angled around the area under the bindings.
Three Stage Rocker-designed for the enhanced acceleration that most advanced riders are looking for. These boards typically have a flat spot in the middle of the board and then curve abruptly under the bindings and flatten out off the tip and tail.
A higher rocker will be a rounded bottom and will make it easier to land jumps. A low rocker will have a flatter bottom and it will be easier to control traveling straight and accelerates faster.