How to Choose Wakesurf Boards and Wakesurf Size Chart

In recent years, wakesurfing has seen a huge increase in popularity. It is a great way to get on the water. Wakesurfing, which is slower than wakeboarding, is more accessible to beginners and does not require perfect glassy water. A new sport means a new board. There are tons of options for every type of rider. It can be difficult to choose the right wakesurfboard. We've simplified the process to help you find the right board for you.

There are many shapes of wakesurf boards available to suit different riding styles and abilities. The majority of wakesurf boards are a combination of the skim board and surf board worlds. They fall into three main categories: surf style, skim style, and hybrid.

These boards often look similar to surf shortboards, but are smaller and have a more directional shape with fish tail or square tail. There are many options for these boards, including lengths and configurations. The largest size and volume of surf style wakesurf boards is usually the largest. Many surf boards have many fin options. This helps riders to feel more comfortable on the water and generate speed and power to pump the waves. Surf style boards have more volume, which helps them to stay on the surface and fast.

Skim-style wakesurf boards have a smaller size and less buoyancy. They are more fun in the water. The skim boards have smaller fins and less hull features which make them slippery and borderline rowdy in the water. A skimboard is not like surf boards which track up and down the wave's face, but it wants to spin, slide and do everything else than stay straight and narrow.

It's exactly what you would expect: a combination of surf and skim. There are many hybrid shapes available, including skim-style shapes that have surf fins, and smaller surf style shapes with skim fins. These boards combine the fun of a skimboard with the power and speed of a surfboard. . 

Like surfboards, wakesurfers measure in feet and inches. Although there aren't any specific length guidelines, riders weight and wake size can be helpful. The shape of the board, rocker and nose and tail shapes all play a role in determining size. Here are some tips to help you choose between sizes.

Larger wakesurfers have more surface area and float which makes them more suitable for heavier riders. A smaller boat will throw a smaller wake so choose a larger board. Larger wakesurfers are slower through the water, and therefore easier to learn.

Less maneuverable, faster and more agile wakesurfers can be on the wave. These are great for advanced riders or lighter riders. A smaller wakesurfer is possible in big wakes.

 

Rider Weight	Surf Style	Skim Style	Hybrid Style
Up to 110 lbs	Up to 4'	Up to 4'	Up to 4'
100 - 170 lbs	4' - 4'8"	4' - 4'4"	3' 9" - 4' 8"
150 - 200 lbs	4'8" - 5'	4'4" - 4'10"	4' 8" - 5' 3"
190 - 250+ lbs	5'+	4'10"+	5'+

If you place the board on a flat surface and look at the sides of the board, rocker will be apparent. The rocker you experience on a wakesurfer will be similar to what you see on skis, snowboards, and wakeboards. A wakesurfer with more rocker will be slower, plow through water faster and react more strongly to the wave. A wakesurfer with less rocker will feel smoother and go further.

Your wakesurf board's edges are the rails. The rails' design and shape will affect how the board moves in the water and how it turns. Thicker rails are more aggressive in the wave, which allows for better turning precision. They are also quicker and more forgiving. Thicker rails are more patient and slower than the others.
The rails of a wakesurf board can be either "hard", "soft", or "blended". Hard rails are those with an abrupt edge. This allows the board to be more responsive and faster, which is great news for advanced riders. Soft rails have a slightly rounded edge. Sometimes, this is called a full-rail. This allows for greater stability and consistency, making it a great board for beginners. Blended rails combine both.

You've now chosen the perfect wakesurf board. Now it's time for you to get out there and start shredding! You can find our guide to towing speed and boat setup if you aren't sure where to start. Click here to learn more about setting up your wakesurf boat.