When it comes to a variety of board sports, their procedures appear to be similar. You grab a board and put your feet on each end, then start your journey down a hill or across the water. These similarities might be deceptive. Some daring souls understand that a snowboard can also be used for wakeboarding, albeit rarely.
It’s feasible to wakeboard on a snowboard if you take the boots off for snowboarding and replace them with wakeboarding bindings. It sounds simple, but there’s a procedure for doing it correctly that the snowboard will function properly for wakeboarding.
Knowing how everything works and having all of the necessary tools is critical for a successful project. That way, everything is completed in a safe and organized manner.
Switching snowboard boots to wakeboarding
It’s really simple to ride a snowboard wakeboard, but there are steps you must take to prevent errors. Follow these actions to avoid any problems:
- Get out the snowboarding gear
- Remove the snowboarding boot screws
- Attach the wakeboard bindings and fasten them using the screws
- Check if everything is intact and secure
- Test the snowboard out on the water
It’s also crucial to realize that, while the options abound to try things like this out, you should be cautious of the dangers and potential injuries you might cause during the early stages. Because it may function doesn’t imply it’s perfect; different board types have varying designs and adaptability.
Find Your Snowboard Gear Or Buy A Snowboard
This is an excellent project if you have a friend who wants to get rid of their snowboard for a reasonable price or if you have an old snowboard that you no longer utilize.
If you don’t own snowboarding gear but still want to participate, go to your local skate or snowboard shop. The price of a wakeboard and a snowboard is comparable, and there is an enormous range in terms of pricing. The board, boots, and wakeboard bindings will all contribute to the overall cost.
Remember, if you can ride both snowboarding and wakeboarding on the same board, you’ll save anywhere from $250 to $400. It’s pricey, so keep these figures in mind.
Remove The Snowboarding Boots
It’s time to get your toolbox and get started after you’ve discovered your snowboard or have purchased one to use for the project. For this stage, we recommend the following:
- Pliers
- Powered drill and sockets
- Manual screwdriver and sockets
- Nuts and bolts that are similar to those on wakeboards
- A sturdy table to place the boards on
To begin, lay the snowboard on a sturdy flat surface where it will not break or crack during removal. After that, turn on the power screwdriver (or use a manual screwdriver) and remove the snowboard boot screws while avoiding to fracture the board.
To remove the rear axle, you’ll need to go around it clockwise and pull upward on each of the three bolts. This takes a great deal of endurance, so take it easy while removing each bolt.
Remove the bolts in order and set them to one side, so you don’t lose them. While applying little pressure to the board, remove the boots slowly. The project may be damaged if too much force is applied.
Finally, store the boots in an accessible location where you can grab them quickly and reinstall if necessary. It’s also crucial to maintain the bolts in a safe place, such as within a ziplock bag, so they are easier to locate and attach for wakeboard bootstraps.
Replace The Snowboard Boots For Wakeboarding Boots
Remove the boots from your wakeboard and set it aside. The procedure for removing snowboard boots is similar to that of wakeboard boots. You’ll need a pair of wakeboard bindings if you want to go the single board, double duty route.
This will come in handy when we purchase a new board, as well. One board, one pair of snowboard boots, and one set of wakeboard bindings are required.
If you don’t have wakeboard bindings and want to make a multi-purpose board, look online or in local skate stores and water sports shops for them. The price of the bindings is usually $200-$250.
Remember, snowboards are available without boots as well. The aim is to save money by using one board for two sports.
You may use your board’s existing holes for mounting the wakeboard bindings. If you can’t line up with the snowboard boots’ openings, try to match them up as closely as possible. You’ll need to drill additional holes in the snowboard for attaching the wakeboard bindings if this isn’t feasible.
Check To See Everything Is Installed Properly
This step is vital since it may help to relieve tension and avoid injury from continuing with the project. Because wakeboarding is a hazardous activity, it’s critical that each and every bolt and screw is put in correctly and tightened if needed.
Make sure to set up a reminder before going out to test the board and before every ride. This will ensure that the bolts do not come off, and you are not sent flying from the board during your wakeboarding session. If you are not cautious, you may get injured just as if you fell on snow.
Testing The Snowboard Out
You can now try out the snowboard after you’re confident that the boots are in place. Because all that is needed is to go to a local wakeboarding area and test out the snowboard, this stage is simple.
However, it’s critical to remember that because the snowboard’s material is distinct from a wakeboard, getting adjusted to riding on water takes some time.
It’s possible that it will take a few tries before you get the hang of it, but that doesn’t imply the board isn’t capable of wakeboarding. It simply implies that you’ll need more practice on the board to feel comfortable on it.
If this is your first time wakeboarding, familiarize yourself with all of the regulations in your region for boat and water activities. Make sure you abide by all of the regulations regarding when and where you may wakeboard. Use protective equipment like gloves and a helmet, as appropriate.
Conclusion
In comparison to many sports, wakeboarding and snowboarding have a lot in common. Or at the very least, how their boards are made is similar. We may come up with unique innovative and even insane ways to utilize our toys in new ways if we know these similarities.