Get a board to grow in to or out of?

[faceplant920]

I am 5'10 175-185lbs, complete newb with only 3 outtings under my belt. My only wakeboard experience is on this POS hydroslide wakeboard pack I bought at bass pro before I knew the difference. After spending time with some of the guys I kneeboard they convinced me that I need to get a board I can grow in to not out of, that it will teach me better technique. Any thoughts and also what should that board be? I have been doing research for about two weeks and feel more confused now than when I started. Also binding suggestions would be appreciated.

[pet575]

Are you talking about a particular size of a board to grow into, or a skill level (beginner v. intermediate v. expert) board to grow into?

[faceplant920]

Mostly skill. Board size I feel like I have a pretty good grasp on after reading responses here and advice from friends. Feel free to correct me if I am wrong but i was thinking I needed to be in the 137-140 length board.

[GnarShredd]

So long as you don't pick up a complete 'beginner' board, you'll be fine. There are a lot of 'intermediate' level combo packages available (boots & board together) that might be a good starting point.

[faceplant920]

Ok, like any boards in particular that you would stay away from or def want to check out? I have heard polar opposite views on the CWB Faction and Kink which I thought looked promising. Also the PS3 and the Trip from Liquid Force I liked maybe. There were several others but I was kinda hoping to just get some suggestions thrown at me for boards that others have had experience with teaching or learning themselves. As you can tell, I am not sure what type rocker I need either. I am usually behind an outboard with a 4ft ski pole and a very small wake if that makes a difference.

[bridges]

whats ur price range? that will help out alot in directing us to helping you with a board.. price range for board and bindings?

and i wudnt go any lower than a 138 or any higher than a 141..

[faceplant920]

I would like to stay around 450 for both board and bindings I could probably go as high as 600 though if i'm getting something that'll last me at several seasons.

[bridges]

you can pretty much get what u wanted then...

this is suppose to be the best selling package this year.. and 2 of my buddys have already bought it. its a real nice package. worth 700 bucks but the package is only 500..

http://www.boardstop.com/product_info.php?products_id=4357&ref=35

[faceplant920]

Sweet man, That was the first board I looked at that I really thougth might work but then I got worried that it would be to advanced for me. I love the look of that board though. It will go into serious consideration.

[bridges]

its not going to be to advanced for u.. sure it might take a little longer to learn to ride good than say a begginner board but think of it this way.. you spend 150-250 bucks on some cheap board ride it and get comfortable then you want a better one and ur gunna have to learn to ride it.. either way your going to be learning how to ride the board anyways. might as well learn on a better board that ur gunna keep instead of buying one then buying another.. it wont be "2 advanced" for u no board is going to be to adavanced for someon its just all how you ride it. u can go easy on that board and get used to it then go hard and really progress.. ul be fine on any board its just all about learning to ride and progressing..

u can get that board for 450 instead of 500 to.. if u decide to get it, use the coupon code forumuser on the check out and it knocks off 10 percent..

[faceplant920]

Thanks man I appreciate it.

[GnarShredd]

You'll be happy with that deck and it will keep you progressing for years.

[bridges]

no problem man! its a real nice board and you cant beat the 450 dollar price on it! hope u get it!

[Wakeboarder3780]

The biggest difference you'd probably notice stepping up is the quality in bindings, but it depends what you had before. Buying the best you can afford is of course one way to ensure you're happy, but I, for one, don't think you need any particular gear.

(However I do think it's important that you like your setup so you want to ride)

[JeffreyCH]

If you have any opportunity to try on bindings, do it. Everyone's feet are different and if your bindings aren't comfortable and fit right it won't matter how good of a board you are on.

[faceplant920]

Any particular suggestions for bindings? And in my area boardshops are really non-existent for 100 miles so I was also wondering if any one had experience returning merchandise to some of the online shops like evogear or boardstop?

[bridges]

that classic package i was telling you about has the vantage bindings and there super easy to get into and out of.. takes prolly 20 seconds from going with ur board off to having ur board on ready to go.. its real easy and there real comfortable to.. boardstop excepts returns and they ship real fast.. go to boardstop.com and there should be a number on top just call and talk to that guy and he will help you with everything.. what size shoe do you wear? there are sizes 4-7 i think.. 8-10 and 10-12 i believe.. but boardstop is the way to go plus you get 10 percent off there since your a forum user..

[faceplant920]

I just have a problem making that kinda investment blind I guess. I'm still trying to talk myself into it. I know I will use it but its a matter of getting the best for myself which will be really difficult without trying a few things.

[bridges]

well regardless your going to have to do it without trying anything because like you said u dont have a wakeboard shop any were near you so any board you buy your going to be taking a shot at it.. boardstop takes returns.. talk to that guy at boardstop and tell him that your not for sure and you want to make sure you can return it if your not happy with it.. he will help you out.. they have a ton of different boards and packages to choose from just that classic package is really really good.. but i mean its all up to you..

[faceplant920]

Yeah I know. I've got it narrowed down to 4 packages. The watson classic for 450, the Obrien Valhalla with link boots for 350, and the LF 09 Witness with transit bindings for 400, or the CWB Transcend with answer CT boots for 400. I'm going to pull the trigger on one of those and it would def be the watson classic if not for the 50-100 difference.

[bridges]

dont get the transit boots there on the lower end of liquid force bindings... if your gunna spend the money get a better set of bindings.. bindings are as important or more important than the board itself... not to me people that i know of ride obrien boards so id try to stay away from of it unless you know its a real good board...

[faceplant920]

Ok that was helpful. I'm gonna try to get a ride with a friend of a friend the next weekend or two and see if I can try out some of their stuff. At least get an idea to make myself feel a little better. I'll let ya know which I decide to go with though.

[bridges]

ya just ask around, do some research on the internet and look at reviews for the board and for the bindings it will help.. just go to google and type in reviews for liquid force 2010 watson classic wakeboard, reviews for liquid force vantage bindings, just do that for each thing and it shud help out..

[Wakeboarder3780]

[faceplant920]

Yeah, I am with ya on that. I'm really hoping to get a couple of rides pretty quickly with a friend of a friend and see if he'll let me try some of his gear. I dont want to be to pushy though because I know ppl are a little funny about there setups which is understandable. Only other option is driving 90 miles south to Baton Rouge for a weekend or something and demoing some boards and bindings down there. That is the closest place. Which by the time I do that, thats almost the price of a board and bindings right there.

[faceplant920]

Just an update, I ended up going with the 09 Transcend with Answer bindings. Thanks everyone for the help.

[bridges]

Boooo lol shud have went with the classic.. haha jk u shud be happy with it! good luck!

[faceplant920]

Ha yea, A guy Ive ridden with a couple times got me a really sweet deal on that package though. 215 for the package.

[bridges]

nice!