NEWBIE Need help picking board/bindings/vest

[rscott22]

Hey guys as you can tell I am newbie to the wakeboarding/wake skating game. I have been a wakeboarding a handful of times with my friends and borrowing there CWB board (not sure which model it is just know he bought it in 0. I am finally ready to buy my own but have a lot of questions before I make my purchase, but I have been reading a lot around the forum but still have many questions.

1. What brand/type of board should I get? The one thing I didn’t like about my buddies CWB it had no pop to it and I couldn’t seem to get enough pop going up over the wake. Here is the board and boot combo I was looking to buy http://www.the-house.com/wake-package-117.html

2. Should I buy open toe or closed toe boats? I wear a size 11 ½ shoe so I am assuming 11-12 size wake boats should be right size for me?

3. Do boards differ in stiffness and pop? I have been snowboarding for 12 years now and know the ins and outs of it very well and how the board should work for each terrain, but I wasn’t sure if wakeboarding was the same. I plan on using the board for both out in the wake and on rails and boxes at a few cable parks.

4. Vests/lifejacket not sure what to do here either. I see some these vests say not CGA (coast guard approved) so does this mean they don’t help you stay afloat when you fall? Example http://www.the-house.com/onchm04bh8zz-oneill-wakeboard-vests.html .

5.lastly helmet I have no idea what to do here I don’t use one when I am behind the boat but I see that all cable parks require you to wear one.

I know this a lot of questions guys just want to make 100% sure I am getting the right stuff before I buy it. Money isn’t really a big thing I would much rather buy quality up front that will last and hold up much better. Please leave me as much info as you can I am open to all answers!

Ryan,

[faceplant920]

My two cents, I wear an 11 and a half and my first pair of cwb answers felt to short in the toe with the 11-12 so I traded them for some 12-13s which are more work to tighten but the comfort for my toes is well worth it. As far as vests, try them on to find one you like that is cga. You'll be thankful you did the first time you case a wake with your face and can't figure out which end is up or how to move your arms.

[faceplant920]

Another thing, that package seems a little steep till you figure out what you want in a board. And check out the helium swat cga vest or some of the jet pilot cgas. They closely resemble comp vests style.

[faceplant920]

Last thing, and then everyone can pick apart my advice but I just went through this so I'm trying to pass along advice I received or picked up myself. You might want to consider a more blended three stage that kinda gives you elements of both board types and you can make your decision on your next board using your likes and dislikes after some experience. And if you are hitting rails you may want to consider some type of grind base board.

Oh and the best piece of advice I got, buy the book. If not the whole set, at least the first two.

[rscott22]

[faceplant920]

right. Ive had them on and they have some buoyancy but not enough to float you safely. They are essentially made for impact dispersion, not buoyancy. That being said, a good cga vest also absorbs impact. They make side entry cga vests that you may want to check out. There was a link on here for some deals at stearnflotation.com but I think people were having problems with the sizing.

Edit: Search the "Learn me on impact vests" thread. It discusses them pretty thoroughly and will give you some differing opinions.

[rscott22]

faceplant920 - found some nice CGA vests so im good to go in that department now all I need to do is get a board and boots any suggestions guys?

I see some boards come with bottoms that are like snowbaords where at the end of the day of hitting rails and ripping the board up you can repair them with wax? I think i saw ronix and liquid force both call them ril baords if im not mistaken. I plan on hitting as many rails and boxes as possible so the board will get alot of abbuse so i need something that will eb able to hold up, pleas sguys and suggestions are welcome!

also I am having a hard time choosing between getting either a Ronix or a Liquid Force....

Ryan,

[faceplant920]

I believe the term ronix uses for a slider base is "sintered" and LF have "grind" editions to some boards. I dont have any experience with these personally because I strictly ride behind the boat, but it seems like a lot of people go for boards with more flex to them to ride cable.

[rscott22]

Hey guys,
I have kinda let this thread die but I have some more questions. I am looking a boots and cant decide between RONIX or Liquid Force.... I want something that will make sure my heel will never lift and wont cost and arm and a leg also, I want something that will mold well to my foot beacuse I have flat feet and want something that will support my foot with some kind of built in arch. Liquid force has a moldable insole that shapes to your foot by just riding on it and breaking it in. RONIX has a heat moldable insole that needs some cooking then place your foot on the sole while warm and it molds to it. Please throw some info my way or opinion which boots you think give the best response and feel for the best price.

[Chocoholic]

My two pennies worth.

I don't think you can really go wrong with boards from LF, Ronix, Hyperlite - I prefer Ronix myself. LF do great bindings and as a newbie I'd steer clear of closed toe for the time being, because you're just starting out, you're going to fall, face plant, ass plant ALOT and open toe release more easily, so you're less likely to do and knee ankle injuries. As you progress then move to closed toes.

Vests - big fan of Jetpilot Attack vests - side entry, light weight, good for impact.

Helmets - unless you're going to be using kickers/sliders etc not necessary and they actually do more harm in some circumstances than good.

[rscott22]

[Chocoholic]

Oh and never go for a beginners board, as you'll progress quickly and have outgrown it in a matter of months. Go for intermediate/advanced. Yes Ronix are a bit more costly - but they're great - mmmmmm Rooonnniiiixxxxx.

[rscott22]

[Chocoholic]

Yes, that is true - well I find it to be anyway. But as I said before I wouldn't recommend closed toe bindings for someone starting out - others might disagree - but because they fit more 'snuggly' you're not going to come out of them as easily as you would open toes bindings and therefore run the risk of more injuries until you really know what you're doing.