Like windsurf and surf boards, the rocker and rails impact your ride as well. Actually it’s true for virtually every watersport. Less rocker (think mellow) makes your board a little faster and smoother. While an aggressive rocker slows the board down, as it tends to plow through the water but makes it turn quicker as the extra rocker enhances the curve when you set your board on edge to turn. Thinner rails cut into the
water to make the board react more quickly – think knife-edge – not for beginners. Rounder, thicker rails turn slower, less able to cut into the wake making them easier for beginners. As a sport becomes more popular,
diversifying into different styles is typical and wakesurfing is no different. Skim styles like those from Phase Five remain virtually unchanged in the eight years since I sold them. They provide the rider with the ability to make skim board moves like 180 or 360-degree rotations on the board. Their low buoyancy makes them easier to get up on – very similar to a wakeboard - but they are more challenging to ride. On the upside, they are light and usually fit in your wakeboard rack. These boards come in both directional (one pointy end) and twin tipped. Twin-tipped boards are following the route of snowboards and wakeboards allowing a more skate oriented riding style. More popular are the surf-style boards.
Larger fins (2.5” or more) allow the rider to slash the ‘wave’ (read wake) face just like catching the perfect endless wave on the Tofino coastline. Typically they have a bit more buoyancy, which makes them harder to get started on, but once you pop up, freeriding is easier. They are a little tougher to store on the boat and rotational tricks are definitely more challenging to perform. These are typically directional with a flat end but you’ll also see ‘swallow tail’ backends which look like they have a ‘V’ cut out. Derived from other board sports, the swallowtails’ purpose is to provide a snappier, quicker turning back end. But if launching off the lip is more your style then a flat or extended tail will add more pop. So which one do you get? Like many riders, get both and perhaps a couple of
Hyperlite Photo
each. Surfers, windsurfers and kiteboarders are used to having a quiver of boards, whereas waterskiers and wakeboarders typically find the board that works best for them and ride it until it breaks or something better comes along. Keep the ‘surf’ in wakesurfing and get a couple of boards; let your mood and the water conditions decide which board in your quiver you’ll use. One way to affordably alter your ride is to purchase some different fins. If your board comes with short fins get some longer ones, and vice versa. Although there’s a whole science to fin shapes and sizes, the basics are a longer fin (or more fins) provide more tracking for enhanced carving, while shorter fins allow you to break the ends free of the water for rotational and skate style moves. Some boards offer three fin positions giving you the option to employ all three fins (very stable, beginner set-up), two outside fins (faster turning, wave slashing style) or a single centre fin (looser back end providing the opportunity for more advanced tricks). Advice from a knowledgeable, trustworthy shop takes a lot of pressure off you if you’re concerned about making a wrong decision. Often sales staff ‘walk the talk’. They can tell you what they ride and how each board rides because they have personally ridden them. Specialty shops typically also offer rentals or ‘Try Before You Buy’ programs, which will allow you to test ride a few models to find the ones that work for you. The trend you follow, or the board
you choose, is a just a reflection of your own personal style (and budget). Buy the
best you can afford for your size, style and ability level. If you’re going to ride a lot, buy a little above your ability level, as you’ll progress quickly. But if you’re going to ride a dozen times or less in a season, or you need one board to work for the whole family, buy towards the entry level so everyone has a good time. My last piece of advice when choosing a board is don’t suffer paralysis through analysis. Just get on a board and ride.
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