Best Beginner Wakeboard

Best Beginner Wakeboard

Growing up in a watersport-obsessed family has its advantages. From wakeboards to cool-looking surfers, I was always surrounded by all things water. As a result, watersports like wakeboarding came to me naturally.
In the beginning, even I hit a couple of rough spots trying to find my flow with the wakeboard. So, the first step to starting your adventure with wakeboarding is finding the right wakeboard. That is why I created this buying guide – to tell you all that you need to know about the best beginner wakeboard and then some.

Your know-it-all guide to beginner wakeboards

Novice riders benefit from wakeboards that get designed, keeping in mind the person’s skill level. Continue reading to know more about what you should look out for in a beginner wakeboard to make an informed decision.

What factors should you consider before buying a beginner wakeboard?

The aim of buying a beginner wakeboard is to find a wakeboard with more forgiving towards a watersport newbie. You need to consider a few aspects of a wakeboard before making your final purchase call.

• Construction

If you hope to flex your wakeboard moves to others, pay attention to the make of the wakeboard. The material of the wakeboard decides how rigid or flexible your board will be in the water. You want a healthy balance between the two to steady yourself. Materials like foam and fiberglass are slightly rigid but offer some wiggle room for flexing your board.

• Sizing

The general rule of thumb for beginners and professionals alike is to buy a wakeboard that corresponds with their body size. A wakeboard slightly wider in its proportions than you will be slow, making it easier for you to gain control.

• Edges

The more sound the shape of the wakeboard is, the smoother the ride will be. Sharper edges turn effortlessly but with strong acceleration and speed. It may be harder for you to manage as a beginner, still learning how to control the board’s direction. Rounded edges are more forgiving that way. With round edges, you can start simple and work your way up to wakeboarding tricks.
Squared edges will be the right pick if you are not interested in doing tricks as much. They cannot go from edge to edge but provide more stability and control over your movements.

• Rockers

Wakeboard rockers is a fancy term used by water fanatics like me when referring to the wakeboard shape. It will determine how much the wakeboard will curve the ends. There are mainly three types of rockers – continuous, three-stage, and blended. You can choose based on the level of consistency you are looking for in a ride.
Think of a continuous rocker as a rocking chair. It gradually curves, going from the tip to the board’s tail. This way, the curve is predictable and consistent. Pros go with a three-stage rocker, designed to cut through the water like a sharp knife, giving you a sudden acceleration. As a result, this rocker has a more aggressive feel and can properly lift you off at the wake.
Blended rockers can provide you with the best of both worlds. It is capable of giving you the experience of both continuous and three-stage rockers.

• Fins

Stability is a priority, and that’s what fins are for. It helps steer the wakeboard for you. Deeper fins create a more stable board for beginners. They go further down, holding you and your board better through the wake. If it goes too deep, your board and, thereby, your overall riding experience might start to drag.
If you are unsure what kind of fins you want for your ride, try out removable fins. Removable fins are changeable, allowing you to enjoy a ride at different speed levels.

Can you use a wakeboard for wake surfing as well?

While you are at it, why not use your wakeboard also to try out wake surfing. Both watersports involve riding the waves and performing tricks after all, right? This is the mindset many beginners come to me, asking the above question.
Both the sports have similar names, when in fact they are different sports. In wakeboarding, you are using a boat-towed rope for the entirety of your journey. On the other hand, in wake surfing, you will let go of the rope when confronted with a big wake. You similarly approach the wave to surf.
Wakeboards are made assuming that they will be getting pulled by a running boat. As a result, the design is slightly different from wake surfboards. Wake surfboards are longer and offer more speed and agility than wakeboards.
You may be able to use the wakeboard for wake surfing small wakes. However, the wakeboard can produce drag for wake surfing on larger waves. You can start with a wakeboard for amateur wake surfing. Later, if you wish to level up, a proper wake surfboard will be great.

Top 5 Products You Should Consider Buying

Ronix Vault Wakeboard 2022

3-Stage Rocker

Energy: 4

Asymmetrical Rails

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Now that you are caught up on the technicality of wakeboarding, it is time to get to the actual wakeboards themselves. Time to stop daydreaming about walking on water and take some action instead! Here is a list of the top 5 beginner wakeboards that check everything in my list of what a beginner wakeboard should have.

The Ronix Vault Wakeboard

The features of the Ronix Vault Wakeboard have gained the admiration of both experts and beginners. The bottom is a sintered base, giving a speedy experience and yet, is easy to maintain and durable. Thanks to the four low molded fins and the additional 1.7-inch fiberglass fins, you can steady your stand on the wakeboard.
The brand specifically crafted edging on the toe and heel side to give you some extra hold pre-spin. While the sharper toe edge cuts through the water, the smoother and shallow fin on the heel will allow for a more forgiving turn. This way, you can start doing tricks without fearing any falls from sudden turns.
The wakeboard offers you speed and stability with a mellow and continuous rocker. You can look forward to an extra shoot-up as you clear the wakes. Lightweight and well-crafted, this board can be your partner in crime through your beginning and intermediate stages of wakeboarding.

Pros

• Continuous and mellow rocker for fast, smooth, and easy handling
• Quality edging that increases and maintains the hold through turns
• Low-profile fins and additional fins for stability without producing drag
• One of the most technical entry-level boards in the market
• Affordable

Cons

• It does not have removable fins for a speed variety

Hyperlite State 2.0 Wakeboard

Hyperlite State 2.0 Wakeboard 2022

Abrupt Continuous Rocker

Asymmetrical Design

Biolite 3 Core

Check Price in USD

If you ask me the craziest and easy-to-ride wakeboard, my answer would be an all-new 2022 Hyperlite State 2.0 wakeboard that is perfect for a newbie. It has everything that can make many jealous with its unique features. From its innovative symmetrical shape to heel-side rail, this wakeboard can enhance any rider’s wakeboarding experience.

Pros

• Toe-Side Footbed Risers technology gives wakeboarders more leverage with toe-side pressure
• Thin molded fins ensure easy release and maneuvering
• Layered fiberglass for longer life and durability of the wakeboard
• Merged glass construction

Cons

• It does not come with removable fins

Slingshot Choice Wakeboard

Slingshot Choice Wakeboard

Beginner to Intermediate

Fins: 4 – 6in x .75in Black Wake Fin

Continuous Rocker 

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The Slingshot Choice Wakeboard offers a high-end design for beginners to achieve quick progress. It comes with flex technology that lifts you off the wake with an elastic rebound and softer landing. The elliptical concave tail, along with its four fins, works together to cut through the water, making your side transitions smoother.
What impresses me the most about this entry-level board is the Taperwall technology. The hold and edge control will allow you to board through any beach water condition without breaking a sweat. The stance adjustment proprietary system will hold your stance as you carve your way with the continuous rocker wakeboard. The enhanced responsiveness and control will help you tame the wakeboard and the water.

Pros

• High tech gears for easy learning of tricks and jumps
• High strength core for a durable body
• Flex technology ensures softer landings
• Concave tail and four fins facilitate effortless edge-to-edge transitions
• Stance adjustment technology for easy control over movements
• Value for money

Cons

• It will not work with aggressive wakeboarding tricks in the future

CTRL Imperial Wakeboard

CTRL Imperial Wakeboard

Variable Edge Design (VED)

V Hull

Step Cap Rail (SCR)

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The CTRL Imperial Wakeboard offers a classic and straightforward design for starting your wakeboarding journey. It has a variable edge design (VED) to get novice riders like you to experience what expert wakeboarding feels like.
The classic wakeboard also features a removable center fin. The fin is meant to stabilize your balance as you try to find your rhythm in the beginning. Once you are ready for something more adventurous, just pop it out and catch up with your wakeboarding gang.
To top it all off, it has a three-stage rocker. You can use this to increase your acceleration once you feel comfortable wakeboarding. This tried and tested wakeboard will not disappoint you if you are looking for comfort and ease.

Pros

• VED ensures comfort while doing tricks
• Removable fins offer variation in speed
• Affordable

Cons

• A few beginners may experience a hard time controlling the acceleration of the three-stage rocker

O’Brien Clutch Wakeboard

O’Brien Clutch Wakeboard 2022

3-Stage Rocker

Feather Core

Variable Beveled Edge

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The O’Brien Clutch Wakeboard offers premium-grade performance at a budget-friendly price. Its foam feather core is lightweight and buoyant, facilitating a smooth and easy pop. You also benefit from the quad molded fins beneath you to direct the water flow as you pass the wake.
The wakeboard varied beveled edging that sharpens your ride more. When I was a beginner, there were not many three-stage rockers for newbies. That is why I appreciate this model for offering a three-stage rocker that is explosive yet smooth. All these perks will make sure you never get tired of the water.

Pros

• Lightweight design ensures easy maneuvering
• Quad molded fins provide extra hold on the water
• Affordable

Cons

• You cannot quickly progress from the beginner level

Top Pick

It should be made clear that there is no universally perfect wakeboard. Everyone has different tastes and needs. So when it comes to buying wakeboards, you do you! Nevertheless, there are certain factors that I believe we all put on a higher pedestal. These mainly include safety, durability, and speed. In my opinion, the Ronix Vault Wakeboard is the best pick that checks the crucial parameters.
The material of the Ronix Vault is such that even you can maintain it. In case of an emergency, the edging variation allows beginners to keep a good hold without falling. It also helps that the price makes it affordable for all. The safety elements combined with the speed of a continuous rocker offer a safe way to get an enthralling experience!

Endnotes

Every one of us on this platform looks up to wakeboarding for a fun challenge. Once you find your rhythm, believe me, you will never want to go back to land. Certain design aspects are unique to beginner wakeboards. That is why you will need a wakeboard specifically designed for novice riders, regardless of whether your riding style is goofy or contrastingly serious.
There are various options available online. It can get confusing when you are unsure what features you should prioritize. That is why I wrote this easy-to-understand guide. With a little more research, you will be ready for your wakeboarding experience!