How to Choose a Wakeboard & Wakeboard Size Chart

Choosing a new wakeboard is a big deal, and it's essential to get it right. But there are lots of different sizes, styles, and other considerations that buyers need to take into account. Let's take a closer look at a few of these factors for buying men's or women's wakeboards or expanding your wakeboard skills.

The most important thing when it comes to finding the right size wakeboard is the rider's weight. All wakeboards have a specified range that all riders should be within. This makes it easy to zero in on the general length you should consider.

Below is a general size chart that you can follow, but always take a look at the size chart for the specific board you're considering before purchasing.

Naturally, larger wakeboarders will typically want a larger board, which provides them with more stability. Lighter riders can opt for smaller boards, which they'll likely find easier to control.

When a wakeboard is shared among users with varying weights, prioritize the heaviest rider. Smaller riders can adapt to larger boards, but heavier riders struggle with boards that are too small, risking submersion and difficulty in riding.

Larger boards facilitate easier starts for beginners and provide softer landings due to their increased surface area. On the flip side, they can make executing inverts or spins more challenging compared to shorter boards or those tailored to your specific weight.

Buyers should consider more than just their weight when shopping for a wakeboard. Here are a few other things that should factor into how to choose a wakeboard.

Even if you've figured out the general length you need, the style of riding you plan to do will factor into the types of wakeboards you should consider. Boat wakeboarding is the most common style, a self-explanatory method where riders are towed around by a boat.

Others prefer what's known as cable wakeboarding, where a mechanized system pulls the rider through a course or series of obstacles. Boards used for the latter style are typically longer and more flexible, featuring a grind base suitable for parks, kickers, and sliders. This design also ensures softer landings in flat water, a contrast to the impact of landing on the other side of a boat's wake.

On the other hand, boat wakeboards are typically shorter and stiffer, offering more buoyancy for higher pop off the boat's wake and facilitating a variety of tricks.

Wakeboard sizing should also factor in the skill of those who'll be riding it. The same stability vs. control tradeoff that we've mentioned earlier continues to be in play here, with beginners often preferring longer boards.

More seasoned riders may stick with the same length or shorten things up for subsequent boards, which makes it easier to throw the board around while performing tricks behind the boat, providing a more exciting experience.

Ensuring a safe and enjoyable wakeboarding experience for children involves choosing special models tailored for young, less experienced riders. Kid's wakeboards, like the Ronix Vision Kids Wakeboard, are designed with a larger center fin for improved stability and control, essential for beginners.

The distinct toeside and heelside shapes, with a smaller toeside, help young riders learn to get up and turn more easily, serving as an effective training tool. 

Additionally, these boards often feature open bindings, which are essential for accommodating the rapid growth of children's feet. As kids grow and gain experience, they can transition to standard wakeboards suited to their weight.

Eventually, when their feet stop growing so fast, they can switch to closed-toe bindings, offering enhanced stability and control for more advanced riding.

When choosing the right wakeboard, the board's rocker style is an important consideration, referring to the curvature shape of the board's bottom. A continuous rocker wakeboard, characterized by its smooth, even curve extending in a single arc from front to back, is known for providing a consistent pop off the wake.

This feature is beneficial for riders learning to jump the wake, as well as for advanced riders who appreciate the uniform pop on each jump. Additionally, continuous rocker boards are faster than their 3-stage counterparts and offer softer landings, especially when landing out in the flats.

The alternative is a three-stage rocker, which has a flat bottom with two sharply angled portions at the front and back ends. This allows riders to get an additional (abrupt) pop off the wake, popping the rider higher in the air but not as far as a continuous rocker. This rocker style would be ideal for people who want to launch off the wake as high as possible while doing tricks. 

Hybrid rockers are becoming increasingly popular as they blend the best features of continuous and three-stage rockers. For example, the Ronix District and the Ronix Supreme wakeboards are excellent choices for beginners exploring their riding styles.

The Supreme Wakeboard offers a unique rocker line with a large flat spot on the outer rails, perfect for riders who approach the wake on edge, ensuring a perfect vertical take-off. The board's middle section has a progressive continuous rocker, ideal for a smoother, faster jump into the flats. This design combines a three-stage rocker on the outer rails with a continuous rocker in the body.

Conversely, the District Wakeboard is designed for riders who approach the wake flat, offering a strong, explosive three-stage lift. Those who approach the wake on the rail will experience a smooth, blended rocker line with a fast, uninterrupted take-off and landing. This board features a continuous rocker on the outer rails and a three-stage rocker in the body.

It's important to note that for beginners or those new to wakeboarding, the type of rocker on a wakeboard isn't a crucial factor initially. When you're just starting out, your primary focus is typically on getting up and cruising around on the water, and at this stage, the rocker type doesn't significantly impact your experience. The intricacies of rocker styles, such as continuous or three-stage rockers, become more relevant as you progress and start to explore jumping the wake and performing tricks. Until then, as a beginner, rocker type should not be a factor when choosing a wakeboard.

While it can seem a bit scary, learning how to wakeboard is actually fairly straightforward. If you've used our wakeboard size chart to find the right-sized board, you've already completed one of the most crucial steps. Now, let's dive into the process of getting up and riding. 

Firstly, you should have your wakeboard bindings attached to your wakeboard already. Put your wakeboard on the swim step of the boat facing out towards the water, put your feet in the wakeboard bindings, and tighten the bindings. Sit down on the swim step with the wakeboard handle in your hand and ease yourself into the water. You will be facing away from the boat while floating in the water. Turn yourself around to face the boat. 

While the boat is idling away from you, you will want to get ready, knees to your chest, arms straight and in between your knees, toes flexed back towards you, and both hands on the handle. Once the rope is tight and you are ready to go, yell to the boat driver, "Hit it." The driver will then ease you up. It is important to let the boat do all the work; do not try to stand up too early, or you will fall forward because the boat isn't at the correct speed to keep you up above water. The boat will pull you up. 

When you stand up, you will then firmly put the handle towards your front hip (your left hip for left-foot forward riders and your right hip for right-foot forward riders) this will automatically make the wakeboard turn so you are in the correct position to keep riding. When you are up, DO NOT straighten your arms or the force of the boat, and the wakeboard will turn, making you face plant. Keep the handle at your front hip at all times and lean to turn. 

And there you go! You're now up and wakeboarding. Remember, practice makes perfect, so keep at it and enjoy the ride!

To get the most out of your wakeboard, you'll need to follow some basic care tips. First, inspect your board before using it and tighten any loose fittings. In between rides, keep the wakeboard out of extreme temperatures when possible. Too much heat can fade any graphics or even degrade the materials.

After each session, rinse your wakeboard with clean, fresh water, especially if you've been riding in salt water, which can corrode the board if left for extended periods. Dry the board thoroughly to prevent mildew, and carefully inspect it for any cracks, dings, dents, or other damage. It's worth getting these fixed as soon as possible, as they're often easier and cheaper to deal with before they become major problems.

Another worthy investment for preserving your board for the long run is a high-quality wakeboard bag. This will protect your board while it's being transported and stored. Our most affordable wakeboard bag is the Ronix Collateral Wakeboard Bag, which is non-padded but provides some protection. If you want the most protection for your wakeboard investment, we recommend the fully padded Ronix Battalion Wakeboard Bag.

Don't be intimidated by the many different types and styles of wakeboards out there. It's simple to figure out the size you need and straightforward to evaluate the other factors that will help you zero in on the ideal model. No matter your size, style, or budget, you can find a top selection of men's wakeboards, along with just as many options for women and kids, at Wakesports Unlimited.