Wakeboard Guide: How to Choose Your Gear

Wakeboard: Finding Your First Ready-to-Ride Pack

I- What are your plans and what do you want to do?

Wakeboarding breaks down into three distinct riding disciplines: Jib, Kicker, and Air Tricks. When it comes to boat wakeboarding, the only category is wake-to-wake. That's why this article will focus primarily on cable park wakeboarding.

Today, very few wakeboards are 100% dedicated to boat riding. As you can see with Slingshot below, their range focuses mainly on boat/cable park or cable park-only riding.

• JIB

JIB is the most popular and widely practiced discipline today. It's become easily accessible with the opening of numerous wakeparks, packed with features like those in Nozay and St Viaud.

Jibbing involves using the features and obstacles in the wakepark to land different trick combinations, such as presses, front lips, back lips, and hardways.

While it might not be the most visually impressive, jibbing is where most riders, young and old, truly thrive. Falls are generally less painful than those from air tricks or kickers.

Jibbing also lets everyone develop their own style and progress at their own pace.

If we had to compare jibbing to another sport, it would be park snowboarding or skateboarding. The main difference is that in wakeboarding, your feet are fixed to the board.

The Slingshot Bearden is the go-to board for riding features this year. It's reinforced between the feet, yet it maintains a flex similar to the Terrain on the tips. This gives it impressive pop and makes it incredibly playful on features. If you're worried about the Bearden's size, the Coalition offers continuous flex and slightly less pop, but it's very forgiving. It will save you from many falls when exiting features!

• The Kicker

Then there are kickers.

So, you might be asking, what exactly is a KICKER?

A kicker is simply a ramp, also known by the uninitiated as launch ramps or jumps.

In essence, kickers are quite "simple" because the possibilities are limited compared to the vast range of combinations available in JIB. The goal here is to perform tricks with rotations on the horizontal axis (upside down) and on the vertical axis (flat rotations).

Using kickers (ramps) lets you perform the same tricks as boat wakeboarders do on wake-to-wake jumps.

Even though the possibilities are fewer, the trick names are no simpler: Crow Mob, Stalefish, Pete Rose, Tantrum, Whirlybird...

• Air Tricks

The last category, Air Tricks, has been around since the very beginning of wakeboarding, long before we could build obstacles strong enough to use as ramps or sliders.

It's a bit harder to imagine, but true nonetheless: the goal is to use the tension of the cable park, much like an elastic band, to launch yourself as high and as far as possible into the air.

This category is quite similar to kitesurf Wakestyle. And the name Wakestyle wasn't chosen randomly, after all.

• JIB, Kickers, and Air Tricks

Now you know all the possibilities and different riding disciplines to consider for cable wakeboarding.

Don't panic, though. Wakeboarding may be a young sport, but brands have been developing their boards for a while now, thanks to technological advancements and feedback from riders and retailers.

So, if you enjoy or plan to do air tricks, kickers, and JIB, there are plenty of allround boards that will let you have fun across all three categories.

II- Choosing Your Gear

Brands have developed all-around wakeboards. If you want to specialize in one category, you will find boards that deliver enhanced performance in that specific area.

1. The Board

To choose your wakeboard, first define your riding style. Select one of the three categories above, then find the wake gear that best suits you.

Depending on your program, boards with varying flex and rocker will be suitable. Some boards will also have channels, while others will not. Finally, you'll need to choose your board size based on your body size and preferences.

• Flex and Rocker

A board's flex can be your greatest asset or your biggest challenge.

When you're just starting out, avoid overly flexible boards. They can compromise your stability, whether you're edging on the water, hitting features, or landing tricks.

For advanced riders, the challenge of flexible boards is balanced by their smooth feel on the water. This allows them to truly excel at JIB riding and refine their style.

WARNING: Flexible wakeboards with a pronounced rocker are incredibly playful. They can make kicker landings more difficult and reduce the bite of your edging. This puts you at a disadvantage, especially for kickers and air tricks.

• Channels

What is a channel?

A channel is a molded groove in the board that increases your wakeboard's grip.

Channels let you make stronger, more pronounced edges with less effort.

Thanks to channels, the number of dreaded "zip-outs" will be cut in half during your sessions. That's a significant advantage!

Channels replace fins. Fins are prohibited in most wakeparks because they tend to damage features.

• Size

Is bigger or smaller better?

Yes, this question comes up often. It's true that for the past few years, the trend has been to ride big.

If you are a beginner, it is best to rely on the brand's recommendations for choosing your board size. Otherwise, your wakeboard's size may hinder your progress.

For more experienced riders, large boards have both advantages and disadvantages, just like smaller wakeboards:

Advantages and disadvantages of large boards:

Advantages: + stability, + easier landings, + playful for JIB

Disadvantages: - maneuverable, + heavier, + more physically demanding to ride

⇒ If you're looking to focus your riding on JIB, a larger board is the way to go

If your riding is more focused on kicker and/or air tricks, a smaller board with a less pronounced rocker will be perfect for you.

• Slingshot wakeboards:

The most allround boards: COALITION WINDSOR CONTRAST

Boards made for jib: VOLT TERRAIN SALMON BEARDEN

Boards made for kicker and airtricks: NATIVE NOMAD The Solo

2. The boots

You'll find three main types of boots:

• Open boots

• Closed boots without a boot

• Closed boots with a boot

Open boots are a budget-friendly option, perfect for riders who want to share their gear with friends. They won't offer the same comfort as closed boots.

Closed boots without a boot are a solid choice for riders of all levels. Some models extend higher up the ankle. These provide superior hold compared to lower-cut boots. This design reduces injury risk, though you'll experience a slight trade-off in mobility.

Closed boots with a boot are ideal for those who hate cold or dirty feet, or find small pebbles uncomfortable.

While many riders appreciate this luxury, there's a minor drawback: foot support within the boot is slightly less secure.

Need more information? Don't hesitate to contact us by phone or email. We're always happy to help you find the perfect gear!