Wakeboarding newbie's mom needs board purchasing advice

Treasuretheday · Newbie Joined: 06 Sep 2012 Posts: 1

Hi,

My 13 year old son has just learned to wakeboard and he's hooked! After 4 days behind our 28' Sea Ray, he gets up every time and comfortably crosses in and out of our wake. He's working on catching some air and spinning around. It's been alot of fun to cheer him on as he progresses. We have a Groupon deal for a private wakeboarding lesson that he can't wait to use.

My son has been using my husband's 17 year old Hyperlite Latitude 142 board. My son is about 5' 5" and 105 lbs so this is obviously the wrong size board for him. What has caused him the most difficulty though are the hard rubber (?) boots that are next to impossible to get his foot in and out of.

He did a little bit of internet research and found a board and boots online at a price he could afford. They were just delivered today and have a 30 day return policy.

Could you give me some feedback on this equipment?

Gator Classic Youth Wakeboard 127 (paid $70)
Slingshot Option OT Men's Wakeboard Bindings (paid $98 )

The sale price on the bindings were for the L/XL (11+) size only. He wears a size 11 shoe so we took a chance on them. His toes barely peek out the top so I think we'll need to look for something in a smaller size.

If you have any other suggestions or advice for this excited wakeboarding rookie and his mom, please let me know.

Thanks very much!!

TnR6Rida · Posted: Sep 06, 2012 7:16 pm Post subject:

We're going to need pictures of you in order to give you the best advice possible.

lukus01 · Newbie Joined: 18 May 2009 Posts: 32 City: Austin

With size 11 shoes, it sounds like your son is probably about to hit a growth spurt. The Gator board will be ok for now but he'll probably outgrow it by next summer. You didn't spend much on the board so he can upgrade next year if he's still hooked. The bindings should work great. Depending on the year of the Gator board, the hole pattern in the bindings may not match up with the board.

Lessons are a big help if you can afford them. Otherwise, look at youtube or "the book" for how-to's. Learning the basics and right techniques will go a long way.

Also, you may already know but just in case......check out www.nopowerturns.com and you'll be loved on the lake

twolfcorner2009 · Guest

Another great instrucitonal DVD set is Detention 2012 by Shaun Murray

Skier's Edge · Newbie Joined: 27 Aug 2012 Posts: 16 City: Indianapolis

The board should be fine to get him started at least. It looks like about the bottom end in terms of performance, comparable to a Hyperlite Motive. So eventually he will want a better board more designed to get air and be faster but this is for sure something that will help him progress on and take him through doing tons of tricks. That size board should last him up to around 130 pounds so he has some time before he grows out of it too.

The boot size should work perfectly for him since he is closer to the bottom end of the size range. They look pretty comfortable so unless you want to get a new board and boots at the same time, I'd say keep the boots and upgrade the board first. And if he really wants to get good after his feet are done growing I would highly suggest a closed toe boot. The performance, comfort, and support you get out of them is just amazing. Something like the Hyperlite System Boots & Bindings work well.

I would also recommend buying the dvd DETENTION2012 with pro wakeboarder Shaun Murray. It does a fantastic job of showing you step by step how to wakeboard in the best way possible. He takes you from doing the basics like getting up and surface tricks up through doing tantrums, crow mobes, and off axis 900s! This has been very helpful in my riding and something our shop gets tons of good feedback from.

TnR6Rida · Posted: Sep 08, 2012 4:43 am Post subject:

Newbz!! You must learn, pictures of the womenz before help is givin Laughing

dbismyname · Posted: Sep 12, 2012 2:37 pm Post subject:

First thing I thought when I saw the title was, "who's gonna ask her for pics?" Laughing

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

Have him take the lesson. Normally the camps will provide gear from a major wakeboard company. He can try out a few different boards and see what he likes. At 105 that board will work fine but he will be in a larger board as soon as he gains some weight.

jodibecks · Newbie Joined: 19 Sep 2012 Posts: 1 City: Beaverton

Still waiting for the pics.

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