Steping up the gear

[Azruial]

I'm riding behind a Chaparral 18' I/O on an old O'Brien Ambush. I'd like to get a lot more pop, and I like to ride agressively, but although I have been riding, I only really started to focus on my wakeboarding this year. So as I'm looking at new gear, the Hyperlite Parks series catches my eye, I like the pop rating, agressive 3-stage etc. but it's labeled as "advanced" and for "advanced or high-intermediate riders". I wouldn't put myself in that category, but I do have pretty good control of the board and I feel like I can handle the agressive nature of the board. I hate not having a shop in CT or RI that I can demo from, so I can't get a feel for it. Do you guys think that I'd just be overpowered and skrewd over if I tried it? -Or, even better, if anyone knows a demo shop in or near Hartford CT or Charlestown RI... or anywhere in between, let me know. Thanks in advance,
AZ

[westcoast_canadian]

If you have consistent jumps and want to keep it stepped up a notch I highly recommend the board. I demo'ed the 05 and DAMNN it was aggresive but I loved how fast it was on edge for such a 3 stage. I went with an OBrien Demented though cause I wanted a more consisten sort of easier-to-control pop.

[WakeBoarder44]

: try to demo ride some different boards you like to test...
you'll feel what's the best board for you

[Evilgun]

I never got to ride the 05 parks board but i just got rid of my 04 parks, for that simple reason. It was just to much for my level of riding! But there is a catch, i only got to use it for 4 times this year sooooo i've never even had a chance to get slightly good at wakeboarding. I got an 05 hyperlite premier last week and have already been up on it and it is perfect! Because of my inexperience i didn't think i would really be able to tell the difference, but man the premier is so smooth, it always feels under control, it doesn't feel as... quick as the parks , i guess i needed that. It seems really wide too, i was able to land my first jump this weekend, and it almost qualified as wake to wake. basically i made more progress as a rider in 2 hours on that premier than i did in 3 days of consistant riding on my old parks. but remember i might just SUCK!!

hope this helps thanks for letting me ramble

[Azruial]

WakeBoarder44, See, the problem is that There aren't any demo shops in my area. I ride in Charlestown, Rhode Island and live in Hartford, Connecticut and the only place I can find that even sells wakeboards anywhere near either is A&S boats, but they have a VERY limited selection and I don't think they demo boards anyway. If you know of any demo shops in RI or CT, I would LOVE to demo some boards, but I think it might just not be possible.
I really don't want to buy a board blind though, maybe I should just try to find some other riders who'll let me borrow their equipment or something? Anyways, thanks for the info.

Evilgun, aww, why'd you get rid of it! Maybe we could have worked something out! lol jk, good luck and thanks for the info.

[WakeBoarder44]

don't you have any friends or guys on your lake where you can try their boards?
just an idea...

[Azruial]

Yeah, I thought of that, and I'll try, but I'm 17 and I ride with my parents (they ski) so it's kinda tough for me to 'network' in that situation lol, but it's worth a try, the lake really comes alive Sunday afternoon...