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What is Wakeboarding?
Lauren Collison November 29th, 2022 Posted In: Articles Tags: Wake
What is Wakeboarding?
What is wakeboarding, you ask? In short, wakeboarding is a watersport that involves a wakeboard, a boat, and a need for speed (and fun). It’s kind of like if snowboarding met surfing met water skiing all-in-one. So whether you’re looking to up your wakeboard game or dabble in this watersport, here are the essentials to know for wakeboarding!
Wakeboarding Equipment
The first step in understanding the answer to ‘What is wakeboarding?’ is to understand the wakeboard gear. First things first, you need a motorboat (preferably a wakeboard boat). That motorized machine is the thing that will 1) tow you, and 2) create waves and wakes. You can also go to wakeboarding parks where they have cable systems that can pull you without a boat.
So if you’ve got the boat, it’s time to get the board. A wakeboard is a board that has foot bindings, and looks pretty similar to a snowboard but is designed to ride water, not snow. Easy enough, right? You can find a wakeboard online or at a local shop. It’s up to you!
Now you need to make sure you also include safety gear for wakeboarding as well. This includes: a life vest, a helmet that has holes to ventilate water, and if the waters are on the colder or chilly side, a wakeboarding wetsuit.
Ride the Wakes
Popular spots to wakeboard include open water areas like lakes and rivers. Now that you’ve got your boat or motorized vehicle, wakeboard, rope to be towed with, a life vest, helmet, and wetsuit, you’re ready to ride the wakes.
Some riders prefer to ride with a rope or sans a rope. It’s all about personal preference and skill level. Speaking of skill, there’s no right or wrong style when it comes to wakeboarding. You can jump waves. You can simply hold on to the rope and wake conservatively. Or you can do some crazy tricks in the air like front roll rotations.
Some Tips
Take it from me, the first time wakeboarding is not as easy as the movies make it look. When you’re about ready to wake, ensure your feet are safely fastened in the board foot bindings and start out with your board horizontal. As the boat pulls you up, your body should find its natural side stance for riding. Be prepared to use full body strength as this activity incorporates your core, legs, and even arms. It’s definitely a workout!
So, what is wakeboarding? To sum it up, it’s a crazy good time on the water. All you need is a boat, a wakeboard, some safety gear, and to be prepared for tons of fun.
I ride dirt bikes on the trails and on ice. Temperatures between 25-40 degrees. I normally wear a thin pair of long underwear and riding pants for my legs. 4 layers of very thin long sleeve shirts and warm vest. At 30 degrees this still feels a little cold at times. Also my hands get very cold, I normally use thin nylon glove under my thin riding gloves. Trying to stay warm without all the layers. Do you think a wetsuit would work, if so what do you recommend. Thaks
Myles, I’ve heard of plenty of people that use wetsuits for cold weather… and not just for watersports! Many NFL players wear them under their uniforms to stay warm in the wintertime! Wetsuits provide great insulation, so this could be a great addition to help you avoid the bulk. I can’t tell you the exact thickness you’d need since they’re rated for water temps and not air temps. But I’d imagine 3mm should do the trick… either a farmer john or a fullsuit.
Here are 3mm farmer john options https://www.wetsuitwearhouse.com/wetsuits/category/mens-long-john-wetsuits.html?Per_Page=24&Sort_By=bestsellers&thickness=3mm
And here are a few good budget-friendly 3mm fullsuit options https://www.wetsuitwearhouse.com/wetsuits/category/mens-fullsuits-32.html?Per_Page=24&Sort_By=bestsellers&price=75-200&zillabrand=Quiksilver&zillabrand=Billabong&zillabrand=O%27Neill&zillabrand=Volcom&zillabrand=Rip%20Curl&zillabrand=Buell