Need help for picking first wakeskate

hiost · Newbie Joined: 13 Jun 2006 Posts: 14

I have been wakeboarding 1 summer (and skateboarding 7 years) now and we are going to buy wakeskate because we cant do much things with wakeboard because our boat dont make big enough waves that we could jump wake to wake. So with wkaeskate we can do "flat tricks" etc Razz

Only shop that sells wakestuff here sells only Liquid Force boards. I'm going to buy Anthem or Faction because they are cheapest and have foam top (dont want grip). Which board would be better for me? And what size it should be? 40, 42 or 44? I'm 180cm and 80kg.

nickl011 · Posted: Apr 08, 2007 3:00 pm Post subject:

Probably a Faction would be better, some thing cheap to get the feal of wskating. I dont know on sizing though, not familiar with metric

devon · Posted: Apr 08, 2007 3:04 pm Post subject:

180 cm = 5.9 feet
80 kg =176 lbs

i would go with the 42
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aev · Newbie Joined: 29 Mar 2005 Posts: 32

i too need help choosing a skate. are the liquid force skates any good? which model? i want something that i will not outgrow fast.

devon · Posted: Apr 09, 2007 6:00 am Post subject:

you could get the LF Armada
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nickl011 · Posted: Apr 09, 2007 7:54 am Post subject:

No dont get the Armada, I have heard bad things about them. The LF Skates in General arent the best brand for skates. I you do get one get the Faction for just playing around on, its also cheap. If your more serious, the go with an Impulse although Im not sure on durability since LF claims to have come up with a new Marine Grade Epoxy.But if you really want to make a skate last I would check out Byerly skates, Integrity Skates, Omen Skates as they are composite material with grip tape. But if you have you heart set on wooden skates the check out Oak skates, and Sattelyte skates.

PS the LF skates are made of I think Canadian Maple.

aev · Newbie Joined: 29 Mar 2005 Posts: 32

ok so I am just a beginner when it comes to wakeskating (all i can do is some lipslides, inside out ollies, etc..) . Will the Faction stop me from learning more tricks? Sorry but i really don't know the difference with the high end boards... i currently use a HL scape.

nickl011 · Posted: Apr 09, 2007 8:35 am Post subject:

Well technicly, the scape and faction are the same, the are both made for the beginnner to help them get the feel for wakeskating, and learn the basics. It wont stop you from learning, neither will the Scape. The Scape and faction are both EVA top. This is actually a personal prefference, but most pros go with grip tape. Also the Scape and Faction are made of wood wich will fall apart after a couple seasons. The companies such as Integrity and Omen make there skates out of a composite material similar to what wakeboards are made of. The also compress their boards so that they'll have a concave and wont be flat topped like the Scape and Faction. IMO the factions are to Hondas as Integritys are to Cadillacs.

8824 · Posted: Apr 09, 2007 10:50 am Post subject:

LF{IMP, not everyone is digging the 5 stage rocker on the Omens, I have yet to try one, but a few people sold theirs pretty fast after receiving them. I did hear they are coming out with a few new models this season.

I have cracked all my wood skates to date. Marine glue or whatever. WHo still uses wood to make boats? That should solve the wood vs. composite theory.

I know people love the wood, I just can't keep replacing them all the time.

Until they really become solid, I will stick to my Integ, the last skate you will need to buy IMO.

http://integrity-wake.com/ (hand made in the USA. Best skate imo)

http://gatorboards.com

http://byerlywakeboards.com/

http://www.oakwakeskates.com/ (very good wood decks if you decide to go this route)

http://www.sattelyte.com/ (also very solid wood skates)

Distortion skates,

Not sure what cassette is doing this year.

I love my Integ. Can't go wrong, if you don't like it, you can sell it very quickly.

hiost · Newbie Joined: 13 Jun 2006 Posts: 14

LF Faction dont have any concave? Anthem seems to have some sort of concaves. Is it better to do shove-it, big spin etc with board that has some sort of concave? In normal skateing concave is must have on board..

So size 42 would be good for me? 180cm 80kg (5.9 feet 176 lbs)?

8824 · Posted: Apr 09, 2007 5:06 pm Post subject:

hiost, try and demo as many boards as you can. otherwise you will never know what you like.

there is no general rule other than ride what feels the best, fins, concave, wood etc.

Just stay away from the straps son.

hiost · Newbie Joined: 13 Jun 2006 Posts: 14

What do you mean with "straps"? I'm not from english speaking country country so dont know what you meant.

8824 · Posted: Apr 10, 2007 4:22 am Post subject:

Where are you from?

Straps = wakeboard bindings......

Another words, WAKESKATE not WAKEBOARD!

hiost · Newbie Joined: 13 Jun 2006 Posts: 14

Ok :p of course I'm not going to use bindings.

I'm from Finland.

8824 · Posted: Apr 10, 2007 9:49 am Post subject:

hiost, Whatever you do, if you don't strap you will be fine on any skate.

I would highly recommend the Integrity. They are great boards and will last forever.

hiost · Newbie Joined: 13 Jun 2006 Posts: 14

But if I order Integrity from U.S the board would cot like 350$ because of taxes, duty costs and postal costs...

devon · Posted: Apr 10, 2007 1:56 pm Post subject:

try making your own
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8824 · Posted: Apr 10, 2007 3:38 pm Post subject:

hiost, It will be better and cheaper than replacing one two or three of them.

I understand the cost factor. I just think you should at least get a composite, as much as I like wood, they just don't last.

Or you can make your own like a bunch of people have done on this site.

hiost · Newbie Joined: 13 Jun 2006 Posts: 14

Does any integrity board have foam top or are they all grip?

8824 · Posted: Apr 11, 2007 8:46 am Post subject:

nickl011 · Posted: Apr 11, 2007 6:32 pm Post subject:

hiost, Finns UNITE!! Are you on a kivijarvi? Laughing

devon · Posted: Apr 12, 2007 5:56 am Post subject:

i highly recoment grip tape, i started out with foam and i hate it unless i feel like riding in bare feet
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hiost · Newbie Joined: 13 Jun 2006 Posts: 14

nickl011 · Posted: Apr 12, 2007 6:35 pm Post subject:

hiost, nah I dont live in Finland, and am not familiar with JKL, Kivijarvi is the on the word I know of, even though my grandma speaks fluent finnish

aev · Newbie Joined: 29 Mar 2005 Posts: 32

guys, what can you say about the LF Anthem or Armada? our local shop only carries LF skates...

nickl011 · Posted: Apr 16, 2007 4:19 pm Post subject:

Well first off, from what i've heard is that LF skates aren't the best on quality, I mean the have the slider base (PBT) in all but wood and water dont really mix. But LF has most likely improved there sealants on there skates.

hiost · Newbie Joined: 13 Jun 2006 Posts: 14

Ok I have decided to buy LF Anthem.

Which size would be better, 40" or 42"? Remember I cant do wake to wake jumps with my boat so flat/one wake tricks only. I'm 180cm (5.9 feet) and 78kg (172lbs)and my shoe size is 9-10. My skateboard have always been size 7.625 or 7.75.

hco · Posted: Jun 13, 2007 6:27 am Post subject:

Alright, sorry if it seems like I am threadjacking, but I have a couple of questions, and I figure it would save people having to look at a new thread. I am unsure between a new byerly or a GB Doyle, I can get the Doyle used but I am not sure what to offer for it, its the 07, and it has only been used a little bit (But has hit some sliders). What would you reccomend taht I offer for it?

8824 · Posted: Jun 13, 2007 7:19 am Post subject:

hco, hard to tell without a pic what the condition is.

I have a gator board, I was pretty surprised how well it rides. I am a big fan of Gator boards. I have the Impalla which is very similar to the doyle except for size I do believe. I bought it for the newbs who don't have shoes and can't ride the Integrity with griptape on it.

The Byerly is well liked by many people as well.

Hard call to make, I think you will be fine with either one.

Or go and treat yourself to an Integrity. I have a few skates, I really only ride my Team. This skate is sick!

hco · Posted: Jun 13, 2007 8:48 am Post subject:

Yeah, I am still leaning over towards the byerly side, mainly because I can demo it, but a 250$ price tag makes me think different. I am not going to become some wakeskate master or have it become my preferred water sport, but I am going composite because I want something that will last and has concave. The skate is pretty much new, only been used a couple times and has minor scratching. I figure it retails for like 220$, and using it pretty much makes it instantly lose like 50$ or so value, and then maybe another 10-15$ or so for the scratches, but again, I am not sure, and I hate to lowball people.

8824 · Posted: Jun 13, 2007 11:20 am Post subject:

hco, if it is the one parky is selling on ws.com make him a fair offer.

He is a solid rider and will not not take advantage of you. That board looks like it is basically new.

I would be going that route over the 250 new. At 250 I would be looking at Integs myself.

A composite is the right choice for sure.

I would go cheap for the first skate, and then after a season or two get another or sell whatever you bought and buy another one.

Again, if it is Parky's you can feel assured he will not rip you!

Ctipping · Posted: Jun 13, 2007 2:03 pm Post subject:

Parky ftw. <3 that guy.

hco · Posted: Jun 13, 2007 4:39 pm Post subject:

Yeah, it is park's. I am not afriad of getting ripped off, I just was not sure what amount you would reccomend me offer him, I am unfamiliar with how much to offer for used stuff.

Nick Taylor · Posted: Jun 13, 2007 5:08 pm Post subject:

I <3 Evan Park

nickl011 · Posted: Jun 13, 2007 7:26 pm Post subject:

I <3 everyone on wakeskating.com