Completely new to wakeboarding

Thrillryder23 · Newbie Joined: 12 Feb 2005 Posts: 5

Hey guys. I'm new here and I'm also new to wakeboarding.

I'm not new to boating however, if that means anything. I own a SeaRay Sundeck 220 with 350horses and a Kawasaki STX15F. I have my safety certifacate and I usually ride in a pretty shallow bay, the Long Beach Island bay of New Jersey to be exact. The most I do is wake jump with my waverunner and tube with my friends but I really want to get into wakeboarding and I have no idea where to start or even how to start. I planned on taking lessons at this shop I know of that gives them for a few weeks every summer. I was going to do that in June but I'd like to have some knowledge of the sport before I do that. Anyone have any suggestions for a good board for me? I mean if the board is going to last me a long time I'll spend the money for it, maybe like $300 or so or whatever a good board would cost. I know weight is important also so I'm about 160-170lbs.

Hope I gave enough information for you guys to lead me to a good board that will help me start out and maybe last a while. I appreciate any and all help. I've been reading a lot of the posts and you guys seem real nice. So, yea, thanks in advance guys and if you need anymore information let me know.

Bowen · Posted: Feb 12, 2005 7:48 pm Post subject:

First off, so you know, a board does not come with bindings unless you get a package deal. If the board does come with bindings you probably don't want to buy it. Go to www.boardstop.com and use their 'boardfinder,' first off you won't get a bad board from them, and you will get a pretty good deal. Also, don't buy a new '05 board. Get an '04 board on closeout to save you some money. So you know, you will want a board this is between 135 and 140 (possibly longer b/c I like to put beginners on bigger boards...it helps them get up better in my opinion). And you will want to make sure the board has a continuous rocker. As far as bindings go...I recommend the Liquid Force Alphas, if you can find a new '04 pair I'd go for those.

Also, I have been talking about new stuff (mainly new '04), BUT do not rule out buying used stuff, you can find great deals in the classifieds section here on some used stuff that is in great condition.

Thrillryder23 · Newbie Joined: 12 Feb 2005 Posts: 5

Ok great. Thank you so much and thanks for the quick reply I appreciate it.

Catch This Wake · Addict Joined: 03 Feb 2005 Posts: 590 City: Miami

Dude if you want a good board your ganna have to didh out more than 300 big ones... thats only the board. For the binding your looking at anything between 150 and up.

Sorry bout the bad news.

Crying or Very sad

Thrillryder23 · Newbie Joined: 12 Feb 2005 Posts: 5

Well thats not really bad news. I mean I planned on spending more then 300. I just didn't know how much more. Thanks for the heads up though.

I did that find a board thing and it was like 400 so I kinda knew then I'd have to fork up more money.

How do the bindings work. I've never snowboarded either so I'm not familar with that type of stuff. I hate the winter and I hate the snow.

deneng · Criminal Joined: 18 Nov 2004 Posts: 88 City: femont

How is that ? I wanted to follow the barges coming in and out of the delta to do that sounds like fun....

Bowen · Posted: Feb 12, 2005 8:54 pm Post subject:

Post up in the Classifieds section saying that you are looking for a beginner board and bindings, tell them what size you need. Feel free to PM me w/ any questions. You will not need to fork up more than 300 for a good beginner board.

Bindings are like shoes that are attatched to the board, they keep you in. Snowboarding is different with regards to bindings because w/ snowboarding you have to have Boots AND Bindings, w/ wakeboarding they are one in the same. I'd recommend a Liquid Force Trip board with Alpha Bindings.

Thrillryder23 · Newbie Joined: 12 Feb 2005 Posts: 5

How is what? Jumping wakes with a waverunner?

If that was your question here is my answer to that.

It is soooo much fun. But you gotta have a stable yet fast waverunner to really get good clean air. I've gotten maybe 10 feet on a few 50 foot yachts and I fell every single time because I couldn't hold on when I hit the water. It is pretty hard and it hurts more then falling off the tube when tubing. But it is extremely fun. I love doing it. Its cool because all of these guys in waverunners are just riding around showing off what they got and then I come through and get a good 5 feet of air and then they all ride off. Good stuff.

Ok thanks bowen. I appreciate the help. I'll go post up there once I'm sure what I'm looking for.

DMBeer81 · Newbie Joined: 07 Feb 2005 Posts: 30 City: Stamford

Thrillryder23, What kind of waverunner do you have? we have some old Sea Doo's, they're SO much fun. Nothing special, but if you catch the wakes right, they'll throw you for a ride Smile

I too am a begginer, and I've found a few good deals on used boards through here, wakeworld.com classifieds, and other various websites. I can't give you info about what to buy because I don't know, but you don't have to spend a ton of money to get a decent used board.

Thrillryder23 · Newbie Joined: 12 Feb 2005 Posts: 5

I have a 4stroke 3 seater. I have the Kawasaki STX15F. Amazing waverunner. Best 4stroke waverunner IMO. Love it.

Yea so that's what everyone is telling me. I think I'll definitly get a used board and save some dough.

Liquid*Force*Rider · Posted: Feb 13, 2005 9:06 am Post subject:

Liqud force Alphas are probably your best bet on bindings.

Liquid Force Evo would be a good board
Smile

Insanetoast · Newbie Joined: 13 Feb 2005 Posts: 21 City: Wisconsin

Liquid force trip, hyperlite era or state .The packages for these are all under 450 and the bindings arent that bad

NewWake · Newbie Joined: 15 Nov 2004 Posts: 14 City: Williamsburg

Bowen, What do you mean by continuous rocker?

buckthis · Posted: Feb 16, 2005 3:15 pm Post subject: new

first,for a beginner, the bindings are more important than the board, the best board is not the best for beginners whereas the best bindings will help and not hinder. second, sell the searay and get a good ski boat. i use to have a 245 fourwinns and when i got into wakeboarding i sold it and bought a 99' ski boat, and never missed the nice fourwinns.

chavez · RIP MHL 04/25/1958 - 01/11/2006

sp0tts · Criminal Joined: 21 Sep 2004 Posts: 62

Thrillryder23 - go up Surf and Offshore in Point Pleasant Beach. They have a website: www.soswakeboard.com but they don't sell on the internet, you have to call or go there. I'm not sure how far it is from you, but I think it's within an hour. Craig there is the owner and he's a great guy. He knows as much about the sport and products as anyone. Plus they carry a full line of Hyperlite and Liquid Force Gear. I drive two hours plus to demo when I get new gear. It's worth it, he'll hook you up with a better deal than you'd find anywhere else (he'll beat anyones price) and he'll warranty whatever you buy. He also has some used boards once in a while that will fit you budget a little bit better. Additionally, he could possibly be able to help you out with where to go for help as far as lessons.

Just out of curiousity where were you going to go for lessons?

Hope this helps.

HyPeDwAkE · Posted: Feb 16, 2005 4:27 pm Post subject: Re: new

Wkerat · Soul Rider Joined: 29 Jan 2003 Posts: 317

I don't know how far you are from Lake Wallenpaupack in northeast Pennsylvania, but The Boat Shop up there has Gator Boards and CWB and always seems to have a good selection, great pricing, and will let you demo. That's where I got my boat and my boards and they do a great job. The kid who works there is sponsored and knows what he is talking about.

garrett720 · Posted: Feb 21, 2005 1:39 pm Post subject:

Get a Trip 33, thats what I started out on. Its a great beginner board. Once you start doing inverts and spins take off all the fins and the board is fun as hell. I still ride mine sometimes.

Catch This Wake · Addict Joined: 03 Feb 2005 Posts: 590 City: Miami

I started off with a cheap $180 board from oshmans that came with velcrow bindings. Its perfect to learn, and learn how to jump, after that I moved on up to a byerly 137 04'. hence the picture under my name.

ballywho · Wakeboarder.Commie Joined: 05 Feb 2005 Posts: 1725

Wow, garrett720 I started reading that and thought that the trip 33 was a refrence to the sailboat.

Thrillryder what part of the bay are you on. I will be down right next to the inlet in the last week of summer vacation, we should go boarding.
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inflation defined

asterisk* · Posted: Mar 02, 2005 4:32 am Post subject:

I would reccomend getting a package deal from hyperlite - The motive w/ spin bindings for $299 or the state package for $400 from boardstop.com.

I think in their "special offers" section theyre doing the motive deal + a rope/handle + Higher Education 1 & 2 DVD for $350 which is an insane deal. It'll give you everything you need.

Beach247 · Newbie Joined: 01 Feb 2005 Posts: 42

I got a package deal and it was about $330. It's a 2005 board. I was lead that it's a great board to start off with. I think the package deals are a good way to go, but I dont' know a lot so it's just my 2 cents.

HyperRash · Posted: Mar 02, 2005 3:35 pm Post subject:

I think the omega package would be a good deal