Newbie says hey with questions!!

Danny Humphreys · Newbie Joined: 10 Sep 2009 Posts: 2 City: Dallas

Hey gang! New to wakeboarding and am hooked. Got up about 2 months ago on my first pull and loving it. Been working on technique via "The Book" and feel pretty comfy so far. Had a small prob this weekend though. Tried my first w2w, busted first time, but landed it on the 2nd try!! Prettty stoked. However third try caught the front edge of the board and broke my foot!! Broke the #5 metatarsal on my left foot. trying to figure out if it's a freak deal or if better bindings might have helped. Currently riding a Hydroslide Black Widow with the bindings that came with it. I'm size 12 with a wide foot so they are a pretty tight fit. Started with a cheapie board to get a feel and think it may have bit me in the arse. So now I'm looking for a better board and bindings. I'm 44 years old and 6' 2" 200 lbs. Will probably never do flips, but would like to be able to do jumps and 360's etc. Can anyone recommend a good board binding combo? So far I've found the slingshot which i understand can help soften the landings, which would be a good thing for these old bones apparently. Sorry to be so wordy, any suggestions?

ibanez · Newbie Joined: 10 Jul 2009 Posts: 2 City: Lewiston

I'm in pretty much the same boat as you. I was using a friend's cheapy board with way-too-small bindings and found the entire experience miserable. I could only stay out 3 or 4 minutes at a time. I recently bought a Hyperlite State 145 with Sprint bindings....it was a screaming deal at $175 for the combo, brand new. Anyway, once you find some decent boots that actually fit, it will make all the difference in the world, both in your confidence and skill progression. Get some good boots, then worry about the board.

flixmaster · Site Owner Joined: 30 Oct 2003 Posts: 7488

Look into better equipment. Better bindings will give you better support. I would go into a few shops and try on some pro level equipment or at least some bindings that are not sandal or really low-end 'big' box bindings. We ship out of Texas so if you do not have a local shop Boardstop can get you bindings next day shipped for FREE.

Wakeboarder3780 · Posted: Sep 11, 2009 10:04 am Post subject:

bindings are the one thing you'll never want to skimp on. As far as softer landing boards the Liquid Force Lyman and I believe also the Shane boards land pretty soft. I currently ride the 08 lyman and got it because of it's said softer landings. I would say it wasnt a monster improvement but I definitely can tell the difference.

As far as bindings go, I personally ride the 08 watsons (closed toe, they also make open toe) and find them soft in the footbed but just a tad stiff for my liking (then again my last pair of bindings were the LF Ultras and those you could tweak out grabs like no tomorrow.

Sorry to hear about your foot, but I'm glad it wasn't worse. Be willing to spend some money on your gear. Take care of it and you'll never regret it.

Danny Humphreys · Newbie Joined: 10 Sep 2009 Posts: 2 City: Dallas

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

Welcome...definitely start upgrading your gear. I started on the same board and as soon as I got control and started trying to jump, I knew it was time for better gear.

JeffreyCH · Posted: Sep 12, 2009 8:46 am Post subject:

I started on a Hydroslide matrix, with chaser bindings. Like Okie said I upgraded after about a month when I started getting control. Last year I went with a 07 HL premier and HL state bindings, I gave the bindings to my brother since he has size 12 extra wide feet. This year I'm riding an '09 premier with '08 Murray CT, love the set up, the bindings are really easy to get in and out of, and really lock my heels down without having to tighten them super tight.