Good Beginner Wake Board

[Adrian @ JB Solutions]

Hey guys, I want to buy a wake board and start getting into it. I have only waterskiied once, I got up on my second try and could do fairly decent, but that is about the extent of my watersports experience. Anyways, what are some good beginning boards that wont break the bank? I am about 170lbs btw.

 

[Mainah]

Obrien Valhalla is great beginner to intermediate board that has been around for a while (medium size for your weight). 4 of my 5 ride this one. Once good at getting up and carving from side to side you can remove the center fin and work on surface tricks (do this soon than later to be a better overall rider). Obrien is not the sexiest name in wake boarding but this is a good board. The trouble is to truly upgrade from there takes a lot of money to get into a true 3 stage rocker multi density or wood core with removable aggressive outside fins (I have been drooling). Bought mine as a package from Overtons years ago along with one of their seemingly monthly 20% sales making one heck of a bargain for the use my family has gotten out of it.

 

[Adrian @ JB Solutions]

Thank you! Is clutch basically shoe size? this is all new to me

 

[swatski]

Here is my 0.02

I am a beginner-skill wakeboarder but have been doing it for a while and absolutely love wakeboarding!
(I'm also a fat bastard at 210lbs /5'9")

We have had a few boards and I could never tell what's good and what's not. I assumed they are all more or less the same.
Well... I was so wrong!
Last year at a boat show I talked to a kid (wakeboard "pro") and had him pick a combo for me.
This is what he selected for me (Hyperlite - sorry, I'm not sure exactly what it is called, and I don't remember what we paid but it was a boat show special - around $300-350? (something like that)

That board combo changed my (wakeboarding) life! Can't tell what it is exactly, as I honestly don't know the first thing. Except that it works like a charm!

The two things that STAND OUT:

1. I don't seem to catch the front edge (and face-plant) nearly as much - that made the whole experience a lot more enjoyable (and safe)
   
2. The bindings work really well in how I feel in control of the board

 

[Mainah]

Thank you! Is clutch basically shoe size? this is all new to me

Clutch is the binding barnd name. Yes shoe size. There should be size references in the description.

 

[Mainah]

Here is my 0.02

I am a beginner-skill wakeboarder but have been doing it for a while and absolutely love wakeboarding!
(I'm also a fat bastard at 210lbs /5'9")

We have had a few boards and I could never tell what's good and what's not. I assumed they are all more or less the same.
Well... I was so wrong!
Last year at a boat show I talked to a kid (wakeboard "pro") and had him pick a combo for me.
This is what he selected for me (Hyperlite - sorry, I'm not sure exactly what it is called, and I don't remember what we paid but it was a boat show special - around $300-350? (something like that)

That board combo changed my (wakeboarding) life! Can't tell what it is exactly, as I honestly don't know the first thing. Except that it works like a charm!

The two things that STAND OUT:

1. I don't seem to catch the front edge (and face-plant) nearly as much - that made the whole experience a lot more enjoyable (and safe)
   
2. The bindings work really well in how I feel in control of the board

That is a really nice board and only one or two steps down from the top end. Bindings are great too. Removing the fins will make it squirrelly but easier to do surface tricks. I bet you get good pop off of that.

 

[CraigAR]

Following. Never skied or tried wakeboarding. Before moving to Florida (7 years ago) I use to snowboard a lot. Could do 360's and 540's, ride switch and a bunch of other tricks. I'm 5'-11" and 235lbs. @swatski if your a fat bastard I must be a lard ass. I heard a longer board will help out. I feel like I would catch on real quick from my snowboarding experience or it may be the other way around. Anyway, I too will be looking for a board and board racks.

 

[Adrian @ JB Solutions]

I will keep this thread updated as I do more research and make a decision. The problem is trying to buy it without the lady yelling at me lol.

 

[AboveTheBest]

My advice is to check Craigslist and pick up whatever you see in good condition for a reasonable price (under $200).
Wakeboards are pretty forgiving due to their size (as opposed to a narrow slalom), so buying an advanced board shouldn’t be an issue for a beginner. You’ll save money on a used board and when/if you decide to upgrade you’ll have a spare... plus board racks look cooler with a couple of boards

A quick search of the Tampa Bay Craigslist turned up several ads for wakeboards.
https://tampa.craigslist.org/search/sss?query=wakeboard&sort=rel

You'll need something like a 137-139cm board (around 54")

 

[Adrian @ JB Solutions]

https://www.ebay.com/itm/2014-OBrie...302819&hash=item463f8563a9:g:iJoAAOSw3ydVzkeP

Found this, could use the 15% off and get it for under $140 shipped to my door...thoughts?

 

[Mainah]

This thread made me search for 2017 leftovers. I found a $499 retail bare board for about $200 brand new from a shop. Ronix One ATR. More important than board type brand etc is size. Get the right size for the right amount of bouancy. Sure folks can ride a board that too big as my kids have for years but it makes it harder for them.

Finding 2017 left overs is the ticket as the only thing that really changes is the color.

As for the board on ebay don’t forget you still need bindings and it needs to be the right size. For a beginner board that usually means a discounted package is the best deal. If you are rather athletic then skip the beginner board and try to borrow one for learning how to get up and carve. That center fin and fat middle makes a difference at first kind of like training wheels.

 

[Mainah]

Following. Never skied or tried wakeboarding. Before moving to Florida (7 years ago) I use to snowboard a lot. Could do 360's and 540's, ride switch and a bunch of other tricks. I'm 5'-11" and 235lbs. @swatski if your a fat bastard I must be a lard ass. I heard a longer board will help out. I feel like I would catch on real quick from my snowboarding experience or it may be the other way around. Anyway, I too will be looking for a board and board racks.

Of you are still in the market and want the best of the best for a smoking deal in your size. Buy this now as it is the last one. Ronix One ATR core Throwback White (2017)-146 https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01LFZCAC4/ref=cm_sw_r_sms_c_api_tdwSAbAPTE43X

As for racks I bought the pivoting monster tower racks that come on the x series from Overton’s on one of their sales. I just used some 1/16 rubber sheet cut to size to make up for the diameter difference. Worked like a charm and saved hundreds over buying the correct model clamp size.

 

[redthumper9]

Hyperlite State 2.0
Hyperlite Motive
Liquid Force Trip

Like others said.... I try and find last years model and save some coin.

 

[AboveTheBest]

For his weight the O’Brien he linked to is the correct length (138cm).

$140 sounds good, but you do need bindings as mentioned above. If you could get the whole setup for $200 you’d be doing good... but honestly what difference is another ~$50 for a toy you use behind a boat...

I’d just buy it and find bindings later. Piecing it out like that will lessen the sting of the purchase anyway

 

[CraigAR]

@Mainah That's a great deal for $240. What about the bindings? Also, my son (17) wants to try wakeboarding. Will he be able to use this board to? He's only 140lbs, maybe I will buy him a used small board if not to see if he likes it.

 

[John Mcpartland]

Good bindings! Bindings make a huge difference, dont skimp on the bindings or you could hate it. Blisters, rubbing and just to tight causing your feet to hurt. I would recommend looking for a used slingshot

 

[Mainah]

@Mainah That's a great deal for $240. What about the bindings? Also, my son (17) wants to try wakeboarding. Will he be able to use this board to? He's only 140lbs, maybe I will buy him a used small board if not to see if he likes it.

My sons have been riding a 142 since they were only a buck 30. Not ideal but they made it work. Keep in mind the up to rating is the high end so when a board say up to 170 it realky means at about 160 you should be thinking the next size up.

 

[Jgorm]

Id suggest an 80 dollar Craigslist board with decent bindings. I've ridden lots of boards and like low rocker and share edges, but they are less forgiving than higher rocker and rounded rails. I'm still riding a blindside from the late 90s. I like it better than lots of new boards.

 

[sethman919]

I'm a big dude and started on a liquid force trip 146. I got a pretty good deal on a previous year model with bindings.

 

[Sacamano]

Excellent thread. I too want to learn to Wakeboard. I plan on buying a used one on Craig’s list. Any advice on a moderately priced swivel rack?