newbie needs a wakeboard, and kneeboard

pickled · Newbie Joined: 16 May 2005 Posts: 9

Hey everyone,

I'm picking up my new boat this Fri, and I need some toys to go with it. But, I'm a total newbie when it comes to boards and stuff like that so I thought I'd see what you all suggest. Here's what I'm after:

1) Decent general use Wakeboard. I'm not trying to be a pro or anything, I just want something fun that I can push a bit, but also have it easy enough to use that anyone can. Any recommendations?

2) Same thing but a KneeBoard. I need one of these since I have some leg problems and may not be able to use the Wakeboard as much as I would like.

I'd like to stick to what SportsAuthority offers if at all possible. I know that makes many of you cringe, but I don't think there are many other stores near me what I can try, touch and feel this stuff.

Any other tips/suggestions for a first time wakeboarder are more than welcome too! Thanks!

pickled · Newbie Joined: 16 May 2005 Posts: 9

figured I should add that I'm 6ft 170lbs.

Mikey27 · Posted: May 16, 2005 6:08 am Post subject:

Stay away from Hydroslide, Air Profile, and HO sports as far as boards go. Pretty much you get what you pay for. You can probably get a decent beginners board and bindings for about $200-$250. I dont know much about kneeboards since I have never used one.

As for tips I would say take your time learning the basics of boarding and get comfortable with riding before you attempt tricks. I learned the hard way.

Good luck!

joedirt00 · Posted: May 16, 2005 11:39 am Post subject:

pickled,

Congrats on your new boat, I hope you enjoy it.
Remember the 2 happiest days of a boat owners life

1: The day you buy it.
2: The day you sell it. Laughing

Anyway, welcome to the forums. Just a little of advice threads like this will get flamed heavily here especially the kneeboard part. You'll probably get away with it since you're only on your second post but good luck to you.

That being said. Check out the classified section here. A used higher end board in decent shape is much much better than anything you'll find at the chain sporting good stores. I'm sure you can find something fairly inexpensive there.

There is a Gear section on the homepage that has some reviews for boards and other stuff if you find something and want to know more about it.

Also use the search function.

matt1808 · Wakeboarder.Commie Joined: 05 Feb 2004 Posts: 1981

pickled, kneeboards are harder on the legs than wakeboards. but I would go with hydroslide, HO, or Obrien as far as kneeboards go. The Hydroslide XLT would probably do go for you.

For wakeboards I would stay away from hydroslide and HO.

pickled · Newbie Joined: 16 May 2005 Posts: 9

> flamed heavily here especially the kneeboard part

I don't know boats and wakeboarding well, but I know forums very well so I expected that. If people want to flame when I clearly stated that I have leg problems, they can go right ahead.

> used higher end board in decent shape is much much better

I agree, but don't I need to get my feet into the thing to see if it's for me? That's why I was interested in SportsAuthority. They have obrien and cwb board packages, those are supposed to be decent aren't they?

> kneeboards are harder on the legs than wakeboards

I know what you mean, but I think the kneeboard stress will be ok on my legs. Standing up on the wakeboard is going to start recruiting a whole lot of leg that I'm not really supposed to be using. That being said, I'm hoping I'm wrong and the kneeboard will not be used.

> but I would go with hydroslide, HO, or Obrien

That's good to know thanks! I was going to stay away from hydroslide on the kneeboards due to their rep with wakeboards, but they have some the look pretty good and are cheaper than the obrien I was looking at.

Mikey27 · Posted: May 17, 2005 7:55 am Post subject:

pickled, sorry you got flamed for the kneeboard thing, I wondered if you would still get flamed even though you explained yourself. CWB and O'Brien are both good boards I have an O'Brien Oasis although I havnt used it yet I have been told that it is a pretty decent board for the money. CWB is probably going to be a little more expensive than the O'Brien.

Hope everything works out with your leg holding up.

joedirt00 · Posted: May 17, 2005 8:14 am Post subject:

You have a Sports Authority that carries CWB. I stand corrected. Embarassed

Definitely check it out then.

The Sports Authority around us doen't even carry wakeboards PERIOD. Sad

pickled · Newbie Joined: 16 May 2005 Posts: 9

anyone have a preference CWB vs. oBrien?

also, are any bindings in particular MORE RESTRICTIVE on the ankles? if I could fuse my ankles like cement to the board, I'd be a lot better off. I know this may not be ideal for most of you, but I need as little ankle movement as I can get away with right now.

Mikey27 · Posted: May 17, 2005 8:59 am Post subject:

I have been told that both of them are good boards. Most people will probably tell you that CWB is a better board than O'Brien. The Link bindings on my O'Brien are pretty tight fitting (it seems almost too tight). Im not sure about CWB, I have never tried one.

matt1808 · Wakeboarder.Commie Joined: 05 Feb 2004 Posts: 1981

pickled, if it is ankle problems and you need more support, then I would spend a little more money on the bindings and order them off the internet. For more support I would look into Collective Development or Nice.

HyperRash · Posted: May 18, 2005 1:09 pm Post subject:

HO is really good for kneeboards

for wakeboard go with a hyperlite like motive or a liquid force omega