What kind of equipment I need for wake boarding

[Carlito]

I?m 6?4 250 lbs and would like to start wake boarding on my Sea Ray 240 (w/ tower).
What kind of rope should I buy? length?
What kind of board?
Any recommendations?

 

[rallyart]

Re: What kind of equipment I need for wake boarding

You should buy a zero stretch rope. Spectra is a material that does not stretch. You do not want a ski rope. Just buy one that is packaged with a comfortable handle and you like the color. As far as length you want one that has adjustable segments and it's probably good to get one that can go as short as 55'. There are many board packages. To start get one by a major company like Hyperlite, Liquid Force, or CWB. The most important thing is to get one that has boots that fit. It's more important to spend money on the boots than the board. If you can find one of last years packages you will save a fair bit on price.
There are many on line help videos but I always recommend that a new boarder buy, at least, the first volume of "The Book" which comes on DVD and now also for your phone or iPad.
Talk to people you know who board and get ideas from them. Most boarders are pretty happy to share info on setups and equipment.

One of the best things you can do to make wakeboarding more fun for everyone is to have a cruise control on your boat. If you like boarding at all I would recommend adding that if you don't already have it on the Sea Ray.
Enjoy/

 

[ThreeMileBayWaker]

Re: What kind of equipment I need for wake boarding

Spectra tow rope is top end $$$... There is one in the I boats store for like $70ish. There are low stretch in the middle ropes you might wanna try first before dropping coin into a sport your first starting, just don't use a ski tow rope.. They are spongy.

Board 144-146cm for your weight ( stance is something you need to play with) I'm 6'3" and 205. I ride 15* duck foot regular and widest stance possible. As for brands, when your just starting I would suggest a continuous rocker board or if you plan on trying to advance a "hybrid rocker"- mix between continuous and 3-stage so you don't slow your progression and grow out of your board in a year. Don't buy a full 3- stage until you get more comfortable and edging is good toe and heel. Also a board with subtle molded in fins and removable center fin. The center fin is for stability, but inhibits surface tricks and once removed allows the board to become slippery. I started with an O'brien from BassPro, just your basic package $200 and rode that for a year. Then I bought a liquid force trip and CWB Answer closed toe bindings ($500 setup), it was a night and day difference and rode for 2 years. I'm now on a full Ronix One board and bindings combo ($750) and its by far the best thing I've ever rode.

Bindings( personal preference, see what is most comfortable... Open or closed toe) side note: wakeboard bindings won't release your feet like skis, plan for abrupt stops if you catch an edge. Open toes are most likely to release if you fall bad enough to lessen the impact, closed toes are more responsive for edging but I've never had them release on me. I prefer the latter of the two.

Boat with enough power to not drag you through the water when getting up.

Watch some YouTube videos on how to get up and beginner things. Ollie, riding switch, heel and toe carving, surface 180*s. "The book" is excellent, but not really necessary unless you want to get more serious.

Hopefully this helps some.

Good places to buy online or shop...

Www.evo.com They have an outlet section, killer deals.
Www.the-house.com

 

[Carlito]

Re: What kind of equipment I need for wake boarding

Thanks.
I already bought the book (this morning Amazon); I have a couple of 9-10 year olds, I would guess they will need their own board (any recs?), but will the same rope work for them? Should I buy a couple ropes to keep a spare (being that I live in the South Pacific and some goods are not as accessible) or these are meant to be really durable?

 

[rallyart]

Re: What kind of equipment I need for wake boarding

Wakeboard ropes are more durable than ski ropes, generally. If you don't drive over it you have several years use. It's tough having 9-10 year olds because they will get better than you fast. You have a large boat so the wake will be very big for them, when they first start. Drive slow (like 10-12 mph) and put them on a long rope to ride in the middle of the wake until they get used to edging and sliding. Putting weight or other passengers in the bow will help make the wake more gentle.

If you get them a bigger board than they need they get up very quickly and will grow into the size as they progress. It is more awkward to handle though so the choice on size is yours. Some sites have calculators to work out the size you need. My kids started on a board that was too big and it worked out well for them. Most people start on fairly small boards and then grow out of them. Again, the boots matter more than the board. It will be fun watching them progress.

 

[Carlito]

Re: What kind of equipment I need for wake boarding

thanks. cheers.

 

[CC245]

Re: What kind of equipment I need for wake boarding

Spectra tow rope is top end $$$... There is one in the I boats store for like $70ish. There are low stretch in the middle ropes you might wanna try first before dropping coin into a sport your first starting, just don't use a ski tow rope.. They are spongy.

Board 144-146cm for your weight ( stance is something you need to play with) I'm 6'3" and 205. I ride 15* duck foot regular and widest stance possible. As for brands, when your just starting I would suggest a continuous rocker board or if you plan on trying to advance a "hybrid rocker"- mix between continuous and 3-stage so you don't slow your progression and grow out of your board in a year. Don't buy a full 3- stage until you get more comfortable and edging is good toe and heel. Also a board with subtle molded in fins and removable center fin. The center fin is for stability, but inhibits surface tricks and once removed allows the board to become slippery. I started with an O'brien from BassPro, just your basic package $200 and rode that for a year. Then I bought a liquid force trip and CWB Answer closed toe bindings ($500 setup), it was a night and day difference and rode for 2 years. I'm now on a full Ronix One board and bindings combo ($750) and its by far the best thing I've ever rode.

Bindings( personal preference, see what is most comfortable... Open or closed toe) side note: wakeboard bindings won't release your feet like skis, plan for abrupt stops if you catch an edge. Open toes are most likely to release if you fall bad enough to lessen the impact, closed toes are more responsive for edging but I've never had them release on me. I prefer the latter of the two.

Boat with enough power to not drag you through the water when getting up.

Watch some YouTube videos on how to get up and beginner things. Ollie, riding switch, heel and toe carving, surface 180*s. "The book" is excellent, but not really necessary unless you want to get more serious.

Hopefully this helps some.

Good places to buy online or shop...

Www.evo.com They have an outlet section, killer deals.
Www.the-house.com

^^^ +1 Good advice