Board Recommendations for daughter

sledhead · Newbie Joined: 14 Feb 2005 Posts: 4

We are looking for a board for our daughter. She has boarded with my board several times, but the board is too big and heavy for her. By this summer she will be 13 and is about 5'7.5" and 100 lbs. Any suggestions for a beginner board that she won't outgrow physically and ability wise too soon would be appreciated. We had been directed to the CWB Raven and Liquid Force Diva (128 & 134) but weren't sure about the length differences since she is light, but tall and likely to get taller. Is weight the main consideration for the length of the board, or is height taken into consideration also? Thanks!

jumalian · Ladies Man Joined: 12 Jan 2003 Posts: 7625 City: san diego

weight is a big determining factor when deciding on board size, but people forget that personal preference is a bigger factor. for example, i'm 5'9, 160lbs. some people would say that a 142 is too big for me. i agree w/ them somewhat, but i really like how a big board rides, after goin' from a 137, to a 133, to a 140, to a 135, to a 141 to a 142. now, i'm on a 138. the reason for the different sizes is because they were all different boards/makers. 1 board could be small (135), but it may not necessarily ride like one. there are big boards (>140) out there that don't ride like big boards at all. they're all pretty different.

my point is don't let anyone say "oh, that's too small" or "hey, that's too big". what your daughter needs to do is to look at boards in the 128-135 range, and demo them. some might say that the 135 will be too big for her, but who knows...she may end up liking the board itself. and that alone will help her to progress and will make having fun a lot easier.

another thing, don't let anyone tell her that she would be better off on a "girl's" board. there is NO SUCH THING! there are only "girl" graphics.

here are some board to try;

blindside wolf 133
cwb absolute 135
doubleup kyle murphy 135
doubleup summit (or serina = girl graphics) 133
hyperlite era 127 or 132
hyperlite motive (or divine = girl graphics) 128 or 134
liquid force balance 135
liquid force evo (or diva = girl graphics) 128 or 134
liquid force substance 134
liquid force trip 133

sledhead · Newbie Joined: 14 Feb 2005 Posts: 4

Unfortunately where we live demoing isn't really an option so we are going to be buying somewhat blind! With that in mind...would the list narrow down at all? Thanks for the advice!

jumalian · Ladies Man Joined: 12 Jan 2003 Posts: 7625 City: san diego

ok, revised list.

doubleup kyle murphy 135
doubleup summit (or serina = girl graphics) 133
hyperlite era 127 or 132
hyperlite motive (or divine = girl graphics) 128 or 134
liquid force evo (or diva = girl graphics) 128 or 134

JRock*Girl · Wakeboarder.Commie Joined: 12 Jan 2003 Posts: 1340

Weight is the main factor as it depends on how well you will be able to 'sink' the edge.

Another main factor will be on your daughters level and how much she wants to progress. I started with the 'women specific' boards and out grew them fast. If she is working on clearing the wake stick with a board that has a continuous rocker, if she can clear the wake then consider the three-stage rockers. I believe the 2005 WBM gear guide came out recently, it could have some good pointers on helping find a board. Also check out the 'board finder' on this website...it only carries a few brands but it willl give you an idea as far as the size of the board and rocker.

I believe www.trinityboardshop.com used to send you a board at no cost so you could demo it...Im not sure if they still do, but you might want to check that out too, they only carrie HL but it will give you an idea as to size/rocker as well.

I would also recommend the Liguid Force trip, it is a great board that will progress with her. I have a lf subjekt for sale,depending on her level...http://forums.wakeboarder.com/viewtopic.php?t=38109

boardchk · Newbie Joined: 13 Aug 2004 Posts: 20

The Liquid Force trip is actually quite an advanced board. It's quite sketchy for new riders, I rode one for 4 years....after learning on a LF search type board. Yes, she may get the hang of it but she may also hate it after not being able to hold her edge on the trip. Same goes for the subjekt.
Rocker is a personal thing...Shaun Murrays pro model boards are all continuous, I ride the Hyperlite Premier which is a mellow three stage....but I tried the Parks and couldn't ride it all.
Anyway, I'm all for the "Just becuase I'm a girl doen't mean I have to ride a girls board" but the LF Diva series is a mellow 3 stage...either the 128 or 134, I'm 5'2" 130lbs, started on a 137 then went to a 133 now I have a 130. The Hyperlite Murray series, or era series are nice boards too.
Try to pick something with a mellow continuous blended 3 stage, fins that aren't too small(the smaller the fins the harder it is to hold an edge at first) and around the 128-134 length.
I know you are going to get different info from different people but hopefully this helps!
Tanya

Beach247 · Newbie Joined: 01 Feb 2005 Posts: 42

I would suggest the 2005 Hyperlite Divine 134. That is what I just bought. Its a great board for beginners, but you can alter the fins as you advance. The only way she is really going to find a board that works right for her is to demo. This board would be good for her where she is at and in my oppinon Hyperlite is the best to go through. Talk to someone at a Slalom shop. I went to Tommy's and they were awesome. If you have a Boat show or any shops like that go and talk to them and have your daughter go with you and they can help you out. But the 2005 Hyperlite Divine 134 I think would be good for her, especially because of her height.

Leggester · Posted: Feb 21, 2005 11:40 am Post subject:

Not everyone lives in Colorado or Florida 247. Mr. Green

Flying Tiger · Criminal Joined: 17 May 2004 Posts: 70

My daughter is the same size and uses a Hyperlite 134 that is relatively less curve, and not real slippery.
She also has a "slippery" Hyperlite Belmont, but the basic board seems to get more use.

^^^^^^^The Belmont a bit wild ride for a beginner.^^^^^^^

This is a Basic Hyperlite Divine that all the kids love to learn on. Ya can't be picky on graphics. Not much choice there.
Super lite weight, not radical handling, not a big bend or radical shape. Perfect for beginners that they will still use way into intermediate skills.

Daughter takes a jump on her Divine. A good all around board.
Cheap no name boards are a bad buy they break very easy- Stick with name brands

obsurfmonkey · Newbie Joined: 13 Mar 2005 Posts: 21 City: San Diego

Hyperlite 134 divine....I think it is a great board!!! Cool

wakechick79 · Outlaw Joined: 12 Mar 2005 Posts: 228 City: Virginia Beach

Hyperlite 134 Divine or Motive-same board, just the Divine has "girly" graphics. I ride a 2004 134 Motive and I love it. I think it is a great board for a beginner and it is still great as you progress as well. Highly recommended! Also, if you can find any way to demo boards, I would do that. Like jumalian said, the best thing to do is buy the board that is right for the rider-the "recommended" board based on weight, height isn't always going to be what works best for your daughter.

WetChick19 · Posted: Mar 19, 2005 10:44 am Post subject:

I started on a 135 hyperlite premier, and i'm 5'4'' and around 125, when you have fins on it, it holds on the water really nice for beginners and is very forgiving and when you advance you can take the fins off for a looser feel. I've had it for going on 3 years and i'm trying inverts and haven't outgrown it yet. Everyone i know loves the premier from beginners to outlaws.

x vegan x · Addict Joined: 19 Jan 2004 Posts: 857 City: Minneapolis

Height shouldn't be a factor in determining board size for most riders. The one exception is someone who is tall and thin, like your daughter. You might want to consider something on the longer side of her size range (134ish). If she lands tip heavy the board is going to hit the brakes causing her to rock forward. Being tall she has more leverage on the board than a shorter person of the same weight, which will make her more likely to go out the front. A longer board is going to have more tip to support her. I rode a Super Squirt (128) then went to a Project (142) and noticed a HUGE difference.

Other than that just look for something with a continuous or very mellow three-stage rocker, mellow rails, and avoid aggressively cupped edges.

LF Evo/Diva or the Hyperlite Motive/Devine are good choices. If she's a quick learner you may want to step up to the LF Team/Angel or Hyperlite State/Eden. The O'Brien Oasis/Vixen and Double Up Summit/Serina are also great choices, but if you're looking to buy a package I think Hyperlite and LF have better female binding options.

obsurfmonkey · Newbie Joined: 13 Mar 2005 Posts: 21 City: San Diego

I am selling my old divine 134 It is in great shape!!! If you are interested you can allways make me a deal.