Wakesurfing has grown exponentially in popularity over the last few years.
Yet another variation to water sports, wakesurfing offers a beginner’s approach. The activity is a cross between wakeboarding and surfing.
Wakesurf boards use the motion of the boat’s wake as you ride 10 to 18 feet behind the boat. What happens in between is up to the rider. The use of shorter-style boards gives wakesurfers the chance to nail some difficult tricks.
Before ever getting out on the water, you’ll need to pick out your board. Here are five tips on how to choose a wakesurf board.
- Board Size
Like snowboards, surfboards, wakeboards, and anything else, getting the size right is the most important factor.
Nailing your board sizes comes down to familiar recommendations of surf style, skim style, and hybrid style. Wakesurf boards are measured in feet and inches. Although there are no strict size guidelines, there are recommendations to get the best wakesurf boards money can buy.
Heavier wakesurfers should have more surface area to easily maneuver the water. This is also the best type of board for beginners.
Smaller wakesurfers are agile. Advanced and lighter weight riders should be eying shorter types of boards.
- Wakesurf Boards Feel
If you’ve purchased a snowboard, you’ll be familiar with the term rocker.
Wakesurf boards are focused on the difference between flat and rocker. The more rocker your board is the slower yet more reactive the board will be. The less rocker the board, the smoother the ride and faster you’ll be on the wake.
- Board Rail Design
The rails or edges of wakesurf boards affect the way it cuts through the wake.
Thinner boards will offer precision and aggressive nature, while thicker boards are more forgiving and slower. These designs are all partnered with the type of ride and the two examples above.
Thin or thick rails can be hard, soft, or blended.
- Tail and Fin
Choosing the tail and fin shape/setup of your board will alter the ride completely.
Often overlooked, there are plenty of options when it comes to both. Tails can be pin, square, swallow, squash, round, and diamond. Each tail leads to different abilities, shaping, and explosion through the wake.
Fin setup can be single, twin, thruster, quad, or five fins. These alter the control of your board and a wakesurfer’s ability to stay stable.
- Wakesurf Rope
Safety first.
Buying the best wakesurf-specific rope for safety is important. These ropes are usually 20-25 feet in length and help you get across the wake.
Only one hand is needed, hence the smaller handle on wakesurf ropes. Lager handles can become tangled with body parts.
Master the Wake and Life
When it comes to choosing the best of wakesurf boards, you need a guide to get you started. The same can be aside across all avenues of life.
Size, design, tail and fin, rope, and more are all important to master the wake. The more information at your fingertips, the easier the decision will be.
Use this process everywhere. Whether it’s business, science, sports, or anything in between. Take the time to read.
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