Biggest Innovation In Wakeboarding

GnarShredd · Posted: Oct 08, 2010 7:51 am Post subject: Biggest Innovation In Wakeboarding

In your opinion, what is it? What are some of the biggest (or your favorite) innovations in wakeboarding. (Board designs, towing devices, etc)

I can't really narrow it down to one but I'll put them in the same category, so that counts, right? To me it's cable/system2.0. Between these two towing systems, hundreds of people are getting introduced to the sport for the first time every season. System2.0 still has more growth left and could really make wakeboarding a great spectator sport since it gives the opportunity to put people close to the action (europe seems to have this down, lets step it up US!) unlike boat contests where at a distance to untrained eyes, every trick looks similar.

JeffreyCH · Posted: Oct 08, 2010 8:03 am Post subject:

The skurfer Wink

intotheflats · Posted: Oct 08, 2010 8:09 am Post subject:

Here ya go Wink

http://forums.wakeboarder.com/viewtopic.php?t=21209&start=0&postdays=0&postorder=asc&highlight=

Craig-R · Wakeboarder.Commie Joined: 19 Dec 2008 Posts: 1676

intotheflats, Laughing

well there have been a few new innovations SINCE 2004 so for the sake of this thread i'm gonna say the biggest innovation since 2004 for me is flex boards. Slingshot changed the game and made the sport a lot less harsh on the body. Second best innovation since '04 for me would be close toed boots

JeffreyCH · Posted: Oct 08, 2010 8:36 am Post subject:

Winching and the urban scene since it's just since 2004 Razz

TnR6Rida · Posted: Oct 08, 2010 10:16 am Post subject:

CT boots, and the overall comfort of the new boots.

leviwynnyk · Posted: Oct 08, 2010 10:39 am Post subject:

I agree, boots and flex boards are the biggest changes.

For boat's I'd say all the "Touchscreen" In Dash Control systems are pretty big. Stereo's are louder too!

intotheflats · Posted: Oct 08, 2010 10:41 am Post subject:

I think binding mounting systems have come a long way. I still remember most of my gear needing the rainbow binding plates to reduce the flex in the binding plates. I had a pair of 3060's that the hole's I used in the binding plates wallowed out to twice the size they should be and I needed to retighten my bindings every ride.

Wakebrad · Ladies Man Joined: 11 Dec 2003 Posts: 12257 City: Dallas

Definitely the boots. If you ever used the old rubber - waterski like bindings you know what I'm talking about. You had so little control over the board.

hawkster0001 · Soul Rider Joined: 21 Jul 2010 Posts: 441 City: GR

Wheight

GnarShredd · Posted: Oct 08, 2010 12:34 pm Post subject:

Not even SINCE 2004, just in general. Have your opinions changed from what you thought was innovative 5 or 6 years ago in the history of the sport?

Craig-R · Wakeboarder.Commie Joined: 19 Dec 2008 Posts: 1676

GnarShredd, didn't mean to change the course of the thread Laughing

holdsworth · Posted: Oct 08, 2010 6:02 pm Post subject:

Ronix bindings... not just because I'm all about Ronix, but because the baseless system has reduced the weight of strappers drastically and kept them as (or even more) durable and much more comfortable than anybody else's bindings.

DRAGON88 · Posted: Oct 08, 2010 7:28 pm Post subject:

That's a good question. In my decade of riding, I have to say that binding tech has undergone the most innovation. Probably starting with LF's 2004 Transit and Sphynx bindings, I think both those boots were a quantum leap forward in binding design.

FlyZone CR · Posted: Oct 09, 2010 7:15 am Post subject:

Flight69, Parks & Harley.

Wakeboarder3780 · Posted: Oct 14, 2010 4:14 pm Post subject:

I think specifically talking about gear, the compression molded fiberglass twin tip board was the biggest and most pronounced progression. Everything since then have been pretty small modifications as far as gear design goes although I think boats have come a long way, the wakes are big these days and we have towers.

Rider wise and trick wise I have no idea. I don't follow what others do for tricks other than watching videos for the aesthetics.

If you're talking about only post 2004 era, I think the bindings have caught up and are much more durable these days.

LakeIolaLuke · Posted: Oct 14, 2010 5:26 pm Post subject:

Wakeboarder3780, The twin tip has come a long way. Molded fins were a huge step, the staged rockerline was another. Just because a modification to the board doesn't have a drastic impact on the appearance of the board doesn't mean it wasn't a huge leap. Variable rails were another big step forward, which I think really showed up around '03 with the LF substance, evolved into the 05 Fish and 06 PS3, and is now most evident on boards like the Ronix One and Ibex.