Back after a 3 year hibernation...

[DaveTO]

Hello everyone, just came back to the world of wakeboarding after a 3 year break. When I left, I was at the attempted-but-not-successful at inverts stage. I'm hoping that it's like riding a bike, and that I haven't accumulated too much rust. I've noticed that the whole Mastercraft boat line has been redone (except for XStar). Not really sure what the new features are (if any).

Anything else major happen with ropes, boards, bindings etc? When I left, there was still a fierce debate over how advanced a rider could get while using a continuous rocker. Do they even make them anymore?!

Yeah I know, I'm a living sign of nostalgia, but please cut me some slack

[tommyadrian5]

continuous rocker is definitely still around, shaun murray is still rocking it on a continuous rocker board

bindings haven't all that much 'changed', they've just gotten better and better, and a little lighter than they were, incredibly comfortable now and with ski boot like foot control

[Junkee]

the bi-level has come into exsistance since youve "been gone", but that's wakeskating, not wakeboarding. still pretty gnarly though

[Bowen]

DaveTO, how could you do that to yourself!?...3 years, thats a long time!
As far as ropes, Spectra is the way to go (absolutely 0 stretch...they were around 3 years ago, but now they are the standard).

Tommy was right, Murray is still one of the best riders in my opinion on his continuous rocker 'Murray' as it is titled for this season. BTW, Murray didn't ride on the tour last year, and he blew his knee out wakeskating at the end of the season last summer, so he won't be on the tour again...

Mastercraft has in fact been totally redone...I'm not sure what you mean about the Xstar...it is completely knew from 3 years ago. The 2002 Xstar/205V has been renamed the X2. It has remained virtually untouched. Nautique still rocks the virtually unchanged SAN210. And Malibu has stepped it up ALOT in the last 3 years, and now is IMO better than MC and Nautique in certain areas (look at the '05 VLX )

For boards, LF came back with a new version of the old Squirt board, it is called the Fish, supposedly it kicks ass, but I have yet to ride it. It is a wider board so you ride it about 10 cm shorter than your regular board. Hyperlite introduced the Roam for the '05 season...it is pretty much an all rails board, but usable for wake to wake stuff. It is flexable so you have the ability to do nose and tail presses really well. Also, CWB has a HUGE presence.

Bindings haven't changed all that much, but like what was said above they are much more comfortable. Hyperlite released its Claw system for bindings...do a search on here for more specs. and LF released their FAST system for bindings. LF still has the Ultra, Hype still has the Highback (now called 3DS). The BOA system has come into play in hyperlite bindings, it is pretty much a cable lacing system where you twist a knob to tighten it (this can be found on the temet and the byerly's). Liquid Force has started putting Lycra into the bindings which makes it very easy to get into, but still just as hard to get out...when wet. LF has also started making their boots to have more of a snowboard feel, which I love. Check out the Limited Edition Liquid Force bindings (www.boardstop.com).

Parks Bonifay is still winning almost every tournament with a relatively unchanged bag of tricks (probably extremely similar to the ones he was winning the tournaments with 3 years ago). Dallas Friday is still the best womens wakeboarder by far, and Emily Copeland and her huge boobs got married to some lucky guy who is my age...as she is.

Someone fill in what I left out...I'm sure I left somethin' out.