Started today, questions

Alva · Newbie Joined: 01 Aug 2004 Posts: 10 City: Greve, Denmark

Hey all...

Last week my dad and I visited a boat supply store to get some stuff. And I got past the wakeboard section and since waterskiing sounds like a major bore (and thats what I've been told too), I desided to pick one up.
Hyperlite board and bindings. I'll check the model and stuff tomorrow.

So today I finally got the time, and the weather/water was perfect for a newbie wakeboarder.
Tool me about 6-10 tries to get up on the board (with no idea how to do it, what so ever!). Then after about 4 more times I can now stand for about as long as I wish (as long as I dont try anything funny like waving that "Hi mom! Look at me, I'm wakeboarding!"-wave at my father. Completely losing concentration and ending up in the water....), and even do a little turning and stuff.

This sport is loads of fun, and I hope the weather allows me to go out tomorrow too.
But naturally, I've got some questions. So here we go.

Maintainance of board and bindings. Does the board need to be waxed or something. I'm figuring 'no' because the board is not affected by any friction by solid matters, like eg. a snowboard is.
The bindings are made of Neoprene as far as i can tell. Do I need to rub it with some sort of oil or something to keep it soft?

I think thats all for now... But again; a great sport and great people associated with it. I'll enjoy getting better at this, as much as I've enjoyed how fast you learn new stuff. (like actually getting on the board! Wink

)

DavidHoff · Posted: Aug 01, 2004 3:53 pm Post subject:

Welcome to the sport of Wakeboarding.
To answer your questions :
1. No, you do not need to wax the board and should not. It might void the warranty.
2. Do not use oil to soften it up. It will eat away the bindings and material. They will stay soft after the breaking in period.

Alva · Newbie Joined: 01 Aug 2004 Posts: 10 City: Greve, Denmark

Hi, and thanks!
Quick answer...

So to sum up, I just put it on my feet and ride it. When Im done, just let it be. Would it perhaps extend the lifespan of the gear if I hosed it down with fresh water after a session, to get the salt of?

DavidHoff · Posted: Aug 01, 2004 3:59 pm Post subject:

I don't really know the answer to the salt water question but I would assume it would be better if you sprayed it down with fresh water.

HasCrookedPinkies · Newbie Joined: 01 Aug 2004 Posts: 10 City: Atlanta

Yea just spray it of with some water and get a board bag and keep it in that. I've had my board for 2 years and i keep it in a bag and its in perfect condition. Colorful

danbrett · Posted: Aug 01, 2004 4:59 pm Post subject:

definetly hose it down after using it in salt water, just as people with board not designed for the ocean / salt water should run fresh water through the engine.

Alva · Newbie Joined: 01 Aug 2004 Posts: 10 City: Greve, Denmark

Okay, I'll do that... Thanks a lot guys...
I'll keep the questions flowing as they pop up Smile

Mister C · Posted: Aug 01, 2004 5:28 pm Post subject:

Alva, now I have a question for you. What board and bindings are you using?

DavidHoff · Posted: Aug 01, 2004 5:30 pm Post subject: Re: Started today, questions

Mister C · Posted: Aug 01, 2004 5:41 pm Post subject:

I saw that, but I guess I should've been more specific. "What model of Hyperlite board and bindings are you using?" He said he would post it tomorrow, and its tomorrow over in Denmark and I just wanted to remind him.

aloharodeo · Posted: Aug 01, 2004 7:06 pm Post subject:

I ride in saltwater too. If you don't rinse your board, bindings, vest, and rope really good the salt will kill them! Make sure you rinse every nook and kranny, especially metal peices, don't force your bindings to lift up but try and spray some water between them and the board too.

wakeboardin_kraZ · Newbie Joined: 01 Aug 2004 Posts: 15

Alva, wakeboardin is definitly funner than skiing...but i think u shuld give skiing a try 2! hav fun out there!

bvilleboarder · Newbie Joined: 11 Jul 2004 Posts: 38 City: Bartlesville

HasCrookedPinkies, is there really that much of an advantage to put it in a bag? I just see it as easy transport and to keep scratches of... am i missing something?
Daniel

aloharodeo · Posted: Aug 01, 2004 7:27 pm Post subject:

Alva · Newbie Joined: 01 Aug 2004 Posts: 10 City: Greve, Denmark

Mister C:

Yeah you're right. It is tomorrow in Denmark now. But a guy's gotta get up first Smile

Anywho, I just went out and checked the model name and number.
According to the board it's a HyperLite Fluid 137 (from the Universal Series), and all I could get out of the bindings, is that they have "Vario" written across the back of them.

The guy in the store told me it was an alright all around board, suited as a "first board".

Thanks a bunch for all the replies guys!

Laptom · Outlaw Joined: 22 Nov 2003 Posts: 219 City: Eindhoven

The guy at the store is right, it is a good board to start with and make some progress..

Enjoy the "new" sport and have fun!!

Alva · Newbie Joined: 01 Aug 2004 Posts: 10 City: Greve, Denmark

Thanks a lot, and I think I will!

About the bindings... Are there not different submodels to the Vario, or is it enough to say "HL Vario bindings" and everyone will know what Im talking about?

DavidHoff · Posted: Aug 02, 2004 8:14 am Post subject:

If you simply say "HL Vario Bindings" people (well most of them on the site) will understand what your talking about.