Wakeboards
If someone tells you that wakeboard sizing isn’t important, they might want to reconsider. Size has been proven to make a big difference. However, there is a size for every kind of riding.
Although they are still popular, most board racks have become so huge that you could easily mistake them for tiny boats on their own. What are the advantages and disadvantages? Continue reading to find out.
The large board craze is legitimate. However, do not be a follower in this case. All boards have a “size chart” that indicates what size is best for your weight; you can look at it to find out.
When you weigh 60 kg, it’s more important to check what is suitable for you than to go with the biggest option. You may feel like you’re walking around with the Titanic on your feet if you choose too big.
Choosing the right wakeboard length
What size wakeboard do I need? This is a common question among water sports enthusiasts. The ideal wakeboard size is determined by two things:
1. Your weight
2. Your riding style
Your weight
For a change in rider weight, the table below shows the appropriate length of the wakeboard. It’s critical to get the right board length based on your weight because it can be inconvenient when a wakeboard isn’t long enough to properly float you.
Wakeboard size chart
Rider Weight (lbs) Rider Weight (kg) Wakeboard Length (cm)
< 100 < 45 < 130
90 – 150 40 – 65 130 – 134
130 – 180 59 – 82 135 – 139
170 – 250 77 – 113 140 – 144
200 – 275+ 91 – 125+ > 144
Your riding style
You should also consider your riding style when determining your weight. Some people like to ride a shorter wakeboard, while others like to ride a longer wakeboard.
Choosing for a longer wakeboards
A longer wakeboard is easier to ride and provides softer landings due to the larger surface area. Furthermore, because of the expanded surface area, you’ll have greater control. Longer boards, on the other hand, are heavier, so air moves will require more effort.
The pros of a longer wakeboard
1. Softer landings
The larger sizes make the landings softer. The landings are softer and simpler on the knees as a result of this. If you enjoy performing huge POWERKICK entries but have knee problems, a large size is your best bet!
2. Better floating capabilities
You’ll find this, too, in the snowboard community. A big size implies a lot of floating capacity! Riding on the water also takes less effort and produces an easy and smooth ride as a result of improved floating abilities.
3. Better flex pattern
The nice thing about riding a longer board is that you have greater surface area next to your binding, which means you can press on it more and get the most out of the flex pattern of your board.
The cons of a longer wakeboard
1. Slower edge-to-edge
We’ve said it numerous times: more surface area! This also has a disadvantage… You have a wider board, which means it takes longer to transition from your toeside to your heelside.
2. Harder to flip and spin
It’s heavier because it has more surface, what did you expect? Because to the additional weight you obtain from selecting a larger board, flipping and spinning a board becomes more difficult. A big board is great, but there’s a fine art in going overboard. So avoid buying a huge deck that will be difficult for you to flip.
3. Harder for inverts
A larger board weighs more, and the greater surface area invites more sticking to the water. We’re not suggesting that inverts are out of the question (far from it), but busting out an invert takes up a lot more strength and energy than other dives.
Choosing for a shorter wakeboard
In general, boards that are shorter tend to move more slowly and require more effort to push through the water. This is due to the fact that the greater the board’s surface area in relation to its depth, the faster it will move across the surface.
It’s also more difficult to land on a shorter board than a longer one. On the other side, spins and air tricks are simpler on a smaller wakeboard.
Smaller boards, on the other hand, are ideal for invert riding and behind the boat. This is because this type of riding necessitates a lot of flight time. Many jumps and invert riding take a great deal of strength, therefore a smaller board is preferable for this sort of usage.
The pros of a shorter wakeboard
1. Better for inverts and more air time
The more weight you have, the longer your flight time will be! A brick will fall heavier than a feather. The same applies to whether you have a small or large skateboard; the smaller one will give you a little extra airtime when launching it off the wake or kickers.
You’ll also discover that smaller boards are preferable for inverts, as there’s a reason why old-school riders exclusively rode on 137/138 footboards all the time.
2. Fast edge to edge
Larger boards have wider widths, which means they take longer to get into control and are less efficient at edge-to-edge movement. You have less surface to put pressure on, so you switch from one edge to the other faster.
3. Faster to spin and flip
A lighter board is also considerably more manageable to flip and spin at any time. No one wants to flip with a heavy brick on their feet at the end of the day.
4. Fast on the water when edging
The effective edge on a smaller board is significantly lower. This basically implies that the section of your board that is still in the water is smaller and has less drag on its edge, which means it goes faster.
So, if you want a board that is quick when you lock your knees and edge hard, a smaller board will provide you with so much speed that you’ll break sound barriers!
The cons of a smaller wakeboard
1. Tougher landings
Because they have less surface area, soft landings are absorbed more gradually. Don’t think you must have knees of steel; however, if your knees are fragile, this is something to consider.
2. Costs more energy to ride
A smaller board has less floating capability, which means riding it in a larger size takes up more of your energy. It will take you longer to reach the same height as if you were on a standard-sized board.
Conclusion
A board is a personal choice, regardless of how big or little it is. When choosing a board, you generally have a large selection of dimensions to pick from. But if you’re having trouble deciding on a size, look at the sizing chart and ask yourself: What do I want to accomplish with this board?
Are you a no-frills, old-school surfer who just wants to send it and spend more time in the air? A smaller size would be the path to go, whether it’s sending it of the wake behind your boat or busting out raileys all day at the Cablepark.
Are you the type of skier that clears every obstacle in the parks? When you’re out on the lake and want to save energy (or knees), a big board is the answer for those endless days on the water!