For newcomers, wakeboarding will typically be a simpler sport to pick up. Wakeboards have fins to keep the board straight and may be leveraged for balance with the rope. The boat driver should maintain a consistent speed and avoid obstacles for the rider.
Whether you’re more interested in wakeboarding or snowboarding will mostly be determined by your level of experience in each. I discovered there are several additional elements to consider beyond the riding techniques.
Wakeboarding Is Easier to Learn at First
Wakeboarding is simpler to get the hang of than snowboarding if you’ve never stood sideways and ridden a board. The only thing you have to master is how to stand up. There are several excellent YouTube videos on the subject, including this one.
Once you’ve risen, it’s time to wakeboard! The fins on the board will keep you upright, and if the boat driver isn’t into it, he’ll keep things slow. All you have to do is bend your legs and hang on for dear life.
It might be difficult to learn how to pop up on a wakeboard. I wouldn’t call it simple on its own. But if you do it more than once, it beats spending the day on a cold hill slamming your butt and knees against the ice. There’s still a lot more to learn before you can actually snowboard.
Why Is Snowboarding More Difficult Than Wakeboarding
You don’t need to know how to pop up on a snowboard, but you do need to learn:
- How to Skate – To properly execute this move on a snowboard, you must put one foot in a binding and push with the other like a skateboarder.
- One-footed gliding and stopping – The chairlift can also be used to load and depart.
- How to ride the chairlift – It might seem like an impossible job, but it can be done.
- How to stand up after strapping in – You have to get up on a boat, but it isn’t as difficult as popping up on a wakeboard since you don’t have to pull a huge old boat.
Snowboarding and wakeboarding are both exciting in their own rights, but wakeboarders have a simpler and faster learning curve for novices. The way to learn snowboarding is different than the technique for learning wakeboard.
Comparing Snowboarding and Wakeboarding Basics
Now that we’ve gone through the various details, let’s break down the basic concepts and compare them.
- Turning
- Stopping
- Falling
Turning
Turning on a wakeboard is similar to snowboarding. To turn, you must shift your weight to one side and apply pressure with either your toes or heels. What is the difference that makes wakeboarding a little easier? You have something to hang on to in the form of a rope.
On a snowboard, staying balanced on edge takes practice. On a wakeboard, this ability is less crucial. Having the upper body strength to grab the rope is more essential than balance on a snowboard. When turning toe-side, it will also require some upper body flexibility, particularly when turning toe-side.
When you carve on your toes and veer away from the center of the wake, you’ll need to twist your upper body against the turn’s direction in order to keep hold of the rope. However, this necessitates less balance on your toes and more power against the rope.
Stopping
It’s crucial to understand how to stop on a snowboard. It aids in the maintenance of control and keeps you safe.
It is critical for newcomers to learn how to stop a snowboard. Trees don’t move, and mountains can get packed with tourists. It’s hazardous colliding with anything. Believe me when I tell you that you do not want to experience this at any cost.
If you must stop suddenly, let go of the rope. But keep your arms up so other boaters can see and avoid you. Give your boat the scuba “OK” sign, either a big overhead circle with both arms or one arm overhead touching the top of your head with your hand. If you require immediate assistance, frantically wave.
When boarding a boat, remember that the driver may have to move to a safe place before stopping, so be patient for a second or two after giving the cut signal. When you want to quit, avoid releasing the rope as soon as possible.
The boat operator may notice dangers approaching or trailing you that you are not aware of. I’ve been in this position as the driver a lot throughout my career. Before departing, make sure you’re on the same page with each other regarding this issue.
You’ll gently sink into the water and float in your life-vest as you wait for the boat to pick you up after you’ve stopped or let go of the boat. It’s really simple to come to a halt on a wakeboard.
Falling
Anyone who wakeboards or snowboards will tell you that falling is an essential part of the sport.
There are habits that may be learned to assist avoid injury if you fall down. However, in this post, we’ll discuss the primary difference between snowboarding and wakeboarding falls.
Even at normal wakeboarding speeds of 15-20 mph, a fall into the lake would generally result in less injury than a 5mph edge catch on ice or firmly packed snow. Consider a belly flop in the pool vs. a tailbone bruise. There are some exceptions, however.
- Snowboard slams won’t hurt you as much if you have a deep powder day.
- If you’ve mastered wakeboarding at higher speeds, the glassy lake will lose its appeal to a spill.
If I Can Snowboard, Can I Wakeboard?
Yes, to a great extent. There is definitely carry-over once you’ve learnt how to ride a board, any board. There are several distinct boards for you to enjoy.
- Snowboards
- Skateboards
- Surfboards
- Kiteboards
- Windsurf
- Paddle Boards
However, with time and practice, most sports will feel quite similar. The ability to ride one will definitely transfer to the next. It’s all about the art of turning. If you’re already a sideways slider, learning wakeboarding will be seamless.
We’ve already talked about crossover boarding, specifically paddleboard riding on a windsurf board and the use of a wakeboard for kitesurfing.
You Can Wakeboard Without Your Own Boat
Don’t be discouraged if you don’t have a boat. There are still several options for wakeboarding if you don’t have access to one.
It’s often joked that the best way to get into boating and water sports is to have a friend or family member with a boat. Boat ownership is both costly and time-consuming. You may wakeboard behind most deck boats or outboards, but specialized wakeboard boats are recommended.
Wakeboard Parks
There are also wakeboard parks for those who can’t get enough of riding the boat. These are usually man-made ponds with a huge pulley overhead, similar to ski lifts. As a handle comes around to tow them, riders wait their turn. These places feature ramps and rails where you may practice freestyle things.
Getting the Gear for the Board Sport You Choose
Snowboarders and wakeboarders require specialized equipment. The table below summarizes the requirements for each activity. Water Outfitters is where you’ll find all of your wakeboarding gear, while Summit Sports is where you’ll discover all of your snowboarding gear.
Which Tricks Are Easier on a Snowboard or Wakeboard?
Yes, board sports are appealing to everyone. To stomp steezy tricks and show off to their pals, as they say. So, which is harder: snowboard tricks or wakeboard tricks? One major distinction between the two is what to do with the rope while spinning.
- It’s more difficult to swap the rope from hand to hand while wakeboarding.
- On a snowboard, the most important thing to remember is how to land; your hands are entirely free.
It’s also worth noting that catching air off the wake isn’t the end of the world if you don’t clear the whole thing. Yes, if you case the opposite side of the wake, you’ll have to absorb some shock, but the water is a bit more forgiving.
It’s a toss-up. They’re both entertaining.
As I mentioned, the choice between wakeboarding and snowboarding is based on your expertise in each sport. But ask any person that does both sports, and they’ll tell you that whatever they believe is simpler is certain: snowboarding and wakeboarding are both a lot of fun!