Wakeboard buying advise requested

CindyUSVI · Newbie Joined: 15 Nov 2008 Posts: 5

I'm thinking of buying my 12 year old son a wakeboard for Christmas. The problem is that I have to buy it online because there are no shops nearby - so no demos, no one to talk to, etc. I really need some advise as to what to get. He is a growing 12 year old - 5'4", around 145 lbs and has size 9-10 Wide feet. He hasn't ever wakeboarded before but windsurfs, snow skis, etc. so I imagine he will get the hang of it in time. Though beautiful, our conditions probably aren't ideal here in the Virgin Islands. We will be pulling him in the ocean - in as flat a spot as we can find - behind a power cat with twin 250 outboards on the back - not exactly a ski boat but hoping it will do for a good time. While I would love the wakeboard to work for as many people as possible (do they make adjustable bindings like on the old waterskis?), the main thing is for it to work well for my son - something that he learn on and have fun with in our conditions. Thank you so much for your ideas.

Okie Boarder · Ladies Man Joined: 03 Mar 2008 Posts: 10056 City: Edmond

Try this link...

http://www.boardstop.com/boardfinder.php

Plug in his height and weight and what type of board you want.

You should consider getting something good. We got something OK and cheap to start out with and regretted it...ended up very quickly buying something good. He's big enough and the right sized board for him would be big enough that you could share some depedning on foot sizes. The other thing you could consider is getting it primarily for him but get another set of bindings for a larger adult.

We have the LF Witness board with LF Transit bindings. My wife and I share this board and have gone from pretty much beginner to where we are now. We have two full seasons under our belt. I can say the Witness is a nice all around board that can work well for many riding styles and skill levels.

CindyUSVI · Newbie Joined: 15 Nov 2008 Posts: 5

Thanks for your reply. I will look for the Witness. LF Substance 134, Omega 135 and Press 142 come up on the link that you sent. It looks like he is barely heavy enough for the 142 but my husband could ride it as well. On the other had, the 134 and 135 he could share with his lighter friends... Do you think ocean conditions or type of wake weigh into the big decision as well?

Okie Boarder · Ladies Man Joined: 03 Mar 2008 Posts: 10056 City: Edmond

Yeah, you may want to consider having a board for him and his sized friends and get something different for your hubby, depending on how much he weighs. I'm riding a 136 and I weigh between 175-190 depending. I am probably going to get a little bigger board, but I have no problem with this one.

I'm not sure that ocean conditions make a difference on the board. If you are going to have a fairly small wake, I'd say get a board with more "pop".

On that link you might want to select intermediate and see what options it brings up, as well. You don't want to get too "beginner" of a board and it won't provide the features he needs as he rockets past the beginner stage.

CindyUSVI · Newbie Joined: 15 Nov 2008 Posts: 5

Thanks. I found your Witness board when I selected Intermediate. It looks nice. Have you ever tried velcro bindings? I was looking at LF Domain bindings just because I thought they might be easier to deal with..

Okie Boarder · Ladies Man Joined: 03 Mar 2008 Posts: 10056 City: Edmond

Yeah, it's a very good board. We love it! I haven't tried the velcor bindings, but we've looked at them. I've heard good things about the velcro, though.

The Domain is what I ordered for my boys. They're younger and smaller than yours and I'm putting them on the LF Nemesis board with the Kids Domain bindings.

CindyUSVI · Newbie Joined: 15 Nov 2008 Posts: 5

I really appreciate your thoughts.. I'm looking forward to getting out there with him now! Everyone else agree on the LF Witness 136 with Domain bindings? Any other ideas? I'm ready to start searching for the deals Very Happy

Blindside_137 · Posted: Nov 16, 2008 11:44 am Post subject:

CindyUSVI, are you looking at 2009 or 2008 witness and domains? You can save a lot of money if you go with 2008 gear right now.

CindyUSVI · Newbie Joined: 15 Nov 2008 Posts: 5

Saving money is good. I would be fine with 2008s.

Okie Boarder · Ladies Man Joined: 03 Mar 2008 Posts: 10056 City: Edmond

Yeah, I'd agree. Looks for 2008's and you should do fairly well. You won't be disappointed with the LF Witness / Transit or Domain combo. Most packages put the Witness / Transit together. I'll send you a PM with a contact that might be able to get you a pretty good deal.