Wakeboarding

Which board for your level?

Details and sizes in wakeboards.

The three parts of a wakeboard set-up

The board: its length depends on your weight, its shape (rocker, fins, rails) on the riding style you want. The bindings: they hold both feet and screw onto the board; an open toe fits several shoe sizes, a closed boot holds more precisely. See wakeboard bindings. The rope and handle: a wakeboard rope is zero-stretch, for a crisp “pop” off the wake, and gets longer as you progress. See wakeboard ropes.

Continuous or three-stage rocker?

Rocker is the curve of the board. A continuous rocker (Reverb, Wild Child, Woodro) rides fast and predictably, and gives long, smooth jumps. A three-stage rocker (Pure, Big Easy, Surge) has a flat section in the middle: it kicks you higher off the wake, but landings are harder. For beginners, a mellow rocker and a centre spine, which softens landings, make things easier.

What speed and which rope?

Wakeboarding is usually done between 30 and 37 km/h, slower for a child or a beginner. You start on a short rope (16 to 20 m), easier to hold, then lengthen it (21 to 24 m) to land beyond the boat’s second wake. Connelly ropes adjust in 5 ft (1.5 m) sections.

Safety and regulations

In France, the person being towed wears a vest or buoyancy aid of at least 50 N, and the driver has a second person on board to watch them. Riding takes place in the zones and channels set aside for it; on a lake, a prefectural order sets the zones and times. See our lifejackets and buoyancy aids.

A helmet is recommended as soon as you jump the wake. For surfing the wave with no rope, see wakesurfing; to try towed riding on your knees, kneeboarding.

The Water Universe shop belongs to Motor Boat 74, a boat dealer in Saint-Jorioz on Lake Annecy: we ride what we sell, and we can advise you on +33 4 57 57 27 27. A product in stock can be collected from the shop within 24 h; the rest are ordered from the manufacturer.