Ride Waves With the Best Boat Wakeboards for Adults and Kids

Let's Talk About Wakeboarding
Wakeboard origin trace back to the mid-sixties when surfers would drag behind powerboats when the seas were calm with little surf. It was another way of getting that adrenalin rush while waiting for the right surfing conditions, and the sport soon took on fast. Fast forward to the mid-eighties in Australia, where a company called "Skurfer" was founded by Tony Finn, producing the first dedicated surfboard/wakeboards hybrids. Skurfer produced the first dedicated wakeboard in the early nineties, and since then, wakeboarding has increased in popularity. As the years roll by, wakeboarding has challenged waterskiing as the number one surface watersport, and it's easy to see why. It's fast, agile and the tricks are mindblowing.How to Choose the Best Boat Wakeboard
Many factors determine which wakeboard is right for you: size, weight, material and shape. Even the type of wakeboarding you intend to do, and whether it has fins or channels on the base for stability. Here's a guide on these features to help steer you toward the best boat wakeboard for you.Construction Material
Most wakeboards are constructed from either solid wood or a polymer foam core wrapped in fiberglass. The foam varieties are lightweight, cheaper and more durable and better suited to beginners, children and general wakeboarders. However, the wooden wakeboards flex better and are more expensive, so are often the choice of the professionals.Size and Length
Whether a child or an adult, your weight determines the size of the wakeboard you should choose. Size your wakeboard correctly if you want to avoid accidents or damage to your expensive board. Here are the size variations based on the weight of the rider and the length of the board:
- 100 lbs = 130 cm
- 90-150 lbs = 130-134 cm
- 130-180 lbs = 135-139 cm
- 170-250 lbs = 140-144 cm
- 200-275 lbs = 144 cm
The Flex Factor
Each wakeboard has a certain amount of flex ”the way the board bends under pressure”and how it flexes determines the characteristics of the ride. Some boards are better suited for gliding across the water's surface while others are more comfortable when landing. There's no right and wrong when it comes to flex, only what feels best for you. Wooden boards are prone to better flexing, meaning they're the choice of many professionals for their ability to be agile and perform complicated maneuvers.Molded Fins
Some wakeboards have molded fins, and others have fins that can be bolted to the base of the board. The fin gives greater stability and traction, especially when skimming the surface of the water. A wakeboard without fins is looser and moves more freely in the water, making them ideal for performing jumps and tricks. You'll typically find that boat wakeboards have fins and channels that increase the locked-down feel of the board, making them ideal for cutting through the wake of the boat. The deeper and longer the fin, the harder it is to break the board free of the surface to perform tricks. It makes an ideal addition for anyone learning to wakeboard for the first time because of the increased stability and predictability of the way the board handles. Advanced wakeboards typically offer the option of removable fins so that the rider can change the way the board behaves in the water, especially if they are performing jumps, turns, and lift.Rocker Shape
Rocker refers to the shape of the board. There are three types of rocker:- 3-Stage " This is where the board is shaped with raised lips at the front and rear, but the base is essentially flat. It's designed to give you height when you hit the wake. The downside is that the board feels less stable with a tendency to plow through the wake rather than cut cleanly through. Also, landings are more intense, leaving the board feeling sluggish.
- Continuous ” This type of wakeboard is one continuous smooth curved shape. These boards are faster, more agile and great for increasing the pop (height) when hitting the wake. The ultra-smooth ride allows you to hook up turns more efficiently, and you can generate a lot more speed.
- Hybrid ” This style of board borrows something from the other two, with the profile of the 3-stage but the curves of the continuous rocker. It means that you get the added agility without the bumpy landings.
Other Wakeboard Features to Consider
- Concaves ” These are dents on the base of the board that reduces drag, increase lift and acts as accelerators. Also, the board sits higher in the water.
- Channels ” These are similar to fins in that they break surface tension before the rest of the board hits the water. You get a more controlled and stylish ride as the board grips the surface of the water.
- V-Shaped Spine ” Spines help to soften the landing and allow more significant motion from side to side in the water, similar to a v-shaped hull on a boat. 3-stage rocker boards often have these attached to improve the landing experience and agility.
- Grind Base ” For the more advanced wakeboarder, the grind base is designed to increase durability and enhance the board's ability to withstand damage as you slide over metal, PVC and docks. It takes all the punishment you can throw at it.
What Speed Should You Pull a Wakeboard?
The speed that you tow a wakeboard depends on the ability of the rider and the space you have available.- 10 MPH ” A decent wake starts to form, which is perfect if you have a trainer board or are towing young children and need to remember safety.
- 21 MPH ” At speeds of less than 21 MPH, the wake can still be "mushy," where the riders board get swallowed by the white water, impeding their ability to perform cleanly. These conditions can hamper your ability to turn sharply or gain lift.
- 25 MPH ” At this speed, the wake is better and firmer, giving wakeboarders the ability to perform more significant and better tricks and turns. Most professional wakeboarders like to go at this faster speed.
Basic Wakeboard Care and Maintenance
Once you've found the best boat wakeboard, you want to protect your investment. Here are some tips to make it last for many years to come:- Keep your wakeboard out of the sun for prolonged periods. The UV light damages the board, so keep it in a protective bag when not in use. It avoids delamination of the fiber-glass as well as reduces fading.
- Always rinse off the board with fresh water to remove any salt residue, especially if you wakeboard on the ocean. Salt can be corrosive and, if left unchecked, will damage the surface of your board and severely affect its handling and performance.
- Keep your bindings clean and free of wax and oil.
- Check all the fins are tight and in place.
- Inspect your bindings before every ride.
- Always store your wakeboard in a cool, dark place and preferably off the ground to avoid damp and cold weather damage. A board rack is a worthwhile investment.
The Best Boat Wakeboards
The 4 Best Boat Wakeboards for Adults
ZUP You Got It Wakeboard
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- Material: ABS (Polymer)
- Length: 144 cm
Full Throttle Aqua Extreme
Full Throttle Aqua Extreme Wakeboard Kit (Black/Blue, 55.1 x 21.6-Inch/ 140cm x 42cm)
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- Material: ABS (Polymer)
- Length: 140 cm
Hyperlite Wakeboard
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- Material: Fiber-Glass and Polymer core
- Length: 136 cm to 144 cm
Airhead Charge Wakeboard
AIRHEAD Charge Wakesurf Board, 1 Person, Red/Black
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- Material: Polymer Foam
- Length: 150 cm
The 4 Best Boat Wakeboards for Kids
ZUP Coast Kids Wakeboard
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- Material: Polymer Foam
- Length: 122 cm
CWB Connelly Kids Wakeboard
CWB Connelly Charger Kids Wakeboard 119cm, with Optima Boot XS (sz 1-4)
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- Material: System 80 Core
- Length: 119 cm
Hyperlite Junior Wakeboard
Hyperlite 2019 Motive Jr Wakeboard 119 with Boys Remix Boots K12-2
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- Material: Layered Fiber-glass and Polymer foam
- Length: 119 cm
Airhead EZ Wake Trainer
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- Material: Plastic
- Length: 117 cm
Wakeboard Accessories
Wakeboard Airhead Boat Rope
AIRHEAD Wakeboard Rope, Phat Grip, Trick Handle, Red
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Grayne Premium Wakeboard Bag
Grayne Premium Wakeboard Bag Blue
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Triple Eight Gotham Wakeboard Helmet
Triple Eight Gotham Water Helmet for Wakeboard and Waterskiing, Gun Matte, Large
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Krypt Towers Wakeboard Wall Mount
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