Choosing the Right Wakeboard Length

The best wakeboard size for you depends on your weight and riding style. Each wakeboard model has specific sizing recommendations provided by the manufacturer. If there are multiple people using your wakeboard, base your selection on the weight of the rider who rides the most often, or the heaviest rider. Riders can become extremely frustrated with wakeboards that are not long enough to float them sufficiently. However, there is a range in the length wakeboard you can ride. Here are some reasons why you may choose to go with a longer or shorter wakeboard.

Reasons to Choose a Shorter Wakeboard

The feeling you get from a shorter wakeboard depends on the board’s shape, but in general, shorter boards are slower and take more energy to push through the water. The more surface area the board has on the water, the faster it will move across the surface. However, a shorter wakeboard is easier to spin and maneuver in the air as you flip or fly across the wake. The decreased surface area also makes landings harder and the nose may tend to dig in, which causes your nose and the rest of your face to dig into the water too.

Reasons to Choose a Longer Wakeboard

Longer wakeboards are typically easier to ride and learn on, they have a solid boost-off-the-wake feel. Longer wakeboards are heavier which means you work harder against the weight in the air, but you also get more control. That makes longer boards great for learning tricks and the basics for the first time. A longer wakeboard has more surface area so it will sit on top of the water nicely and move quickly through the water. The increased surface area of a longer wakeboard makes for softer landings.

Choosing a Wakeboard by Ability Level

In general, anyone can ride any shape wakeboard as long as it is large enough. Some shapes make it easier to learn, but a “beginner” should not shy away from an “advanced” board shape. Likewise, an “advanced” rider will not necessarily be restrained by riding a “beginner” board shape. The most important factor is selecting the right size. Choosing a wakeboard is a personal preference and should be fun; pursue your curiosities about a certain shape and if a board has a rad graphic, go ahead and let that factor into your decision.

Beginner & Intermediate Wakeboards

If you have never ridden before, ride occasionally, or are just beginning to cross the wake, check out beginner-intermediate wakeboards. In general, these wakeboards have continuous or mellow 3-stage rockers and tend to be priced for recreational riders.

Intermediate - Advanced Wakeboards

If you are crossing the wake in both directions and clearing the wake, take a look at intermediate-advanced wakeboards. There is a ton of variety in this category, so make sure you read up on the wakeboard features below to understand which features compliment your riding style before you decide on a wakeboard.

Advanced-Expert Wakeboards

If you know how to spin, are attempting new tricks, stomping inverts or wakeboarding while juggling horseshoes you probably want to look at advanced-expert wakeboards. In general, these wakeboards have aggressive continuous or 3-stage rockers and are less forgiving. Advanced-Expert Wakeboards are often rider pro models. The bottom line is that these wakeboards are aggressive.