1st wakeboard for someone with a board sport background?

[Southern Surfer]

Hey guys,

Well this is my first post, so I guess I'm the newest newbie on the block at the moment. I browsed through quite a few pages already and can tell there's some pretty sound advice from the members on here, so figured I'd go ahead and throw my inquiry into the mix as well.

A little background info: I'm in my late 20s and didn't pick up any board sports until 3 years ago when my cousin got me into skimboarding. After about half a season of cuts and bruises, I finally started getting the hang of it and now board nearly year round. Since that time, I've also taken up longboarding, snowboarding, and surfing(when I'm in places with decent surf like Bali last year; gotta get over to Southern Cal soon though).

With that in mind, I'm in the market for my first board and with my background, I'm unsure as to what I need to look at. I'm sure that I probably need to steer clear of absolute beginner boards because I'll probably outgrow it by the end of the summer, so what would you guys suggest? As far as personal information that may help narrow down choices, I'm 28, 5'9", 170, and incredibly fit. Thanks a bunch for your help and I look forward to your suggestions!

Later,

Matt

[HHI Dave]

As with most things, you get what you pay for. But there are always great deals to be had on closeout gear from last year. What's your budget?

[K9chokechain]

I'm also new to the sport but just picked up a LF package from my local shop after buying a cheap O'Brien from Academy sports and the boots shredded after just 2 weekends. So i returned it and went with what i originally wanted from the pro shop. Sorry I'm unsure of the exact name but the pics are in my gallery so I'm sure some one here knows the name. It was $300 and has out standing control compared to the O'Brien. The guy at the pro shop said it was the best board for the money with all the pro board features it has like the nice molded fins and spine down the middle. Not sure if that helps any but GL.

[K9chokechain]

Found the name. Its a Trip and here is a little video on the board.

http://www.wakenskate.com/wakeboard/wake/mens/wakeboards/liquid-force-trip-wakeboards-2009.html

[Southern Surfer]

Yeah I learned years ago that you definitely get what you pay for. I'd much rather spend the extra cash to get a quality product than buy something for much less that's completely inferior and would more than likely have to be replaced shortly afterwards. So money isn't really an issue, but I'd say under $500. Then I've gotta consider bindings and boots and the same principle applies.

Thanks for the suggestion and the link to the LF Trip btw. That's a sick looking board; definitely digging the graphics and it seems like it's got a lot of concave to do some serious carving as well! So you were able to pick it up for $300; I'm assuming that was for the board alone, but either way, what bindings and boots did you go with and what do you think of them so far? Thanks a bunch for all of your input so far and keep it coming!

Later,

Matt

[HHI Dave]

Matt,
For < $500 you can get definitely get a top of the line setup, meaning board and boots. You mentioned boots and bindings in your post but that's snowboarding, not wakeboarding. In wakeboarding, boots and/or bindings basically mean the same thing. The terms are interchangeable. The bindings (or boots) stay attached to the board. Not like snowboarding where you wear the boots and the bindings stay on the board.

If you're willing to shop around a little there are some fantastic deals to be had. My current setup is an '08 Liquid Force Lyman 143 with '08 Liquid Force Cab boots, both of which I bought in the last couple of months. This setup would have retailed for around $750.00 last year when it was the current model year. I've got less than $300.00 in mine. I will ALWAYS buy last year's model when it comes to wake gear.

Picking a board is so subjective that its tough to recommend one. All I can say is buy the best gear you can afford. Especially make sure your bindings (or boots if you prefer ) are good quality and fit well.

Check out some of these sites for closeouts.

www.boardstop.com
www.buywake.com
www.perfski.com
www.the-house.com
www.evogear.com
www.closeoutdude.com
www.boardersmall.com

Also, check out the CLASSIFIEDS section of the forum. And as always, there's plenty of gear on Ebay.

Hope this helps.

[K9chokechain]

Here is a link to the board package but like dave said for you're price range I'm sure you can get something a lot better. I have only rode the board once and it gave me stitches so i had to put it down for the rest of the weekend but going out Saturday with stitches in and trying it again. For the time thou the boots were great and board had so much control it was crazy. I'm new to WB so I'm constantly loosing control due to the lake being SOOOOOOOO choppy all the time but just a miner correction and this board is right back under you. Two of my buddy's rode it and loved it as well. I only have the cheap Obrien i had to compare it to and its like comparing apples and oranges.

http://www.boardstop.com/product_info.php?products_id=3764

[Southern Surfer]

Thanks a bunch for all of the responses guys! This information has helped out tremendously thus far and also thanks for clarifying that the boot/binding is one complete unit unlike my snowboard. I started looking and it seems like a lot of folks are digging the Liquid Force boards, so that's probably what I'll end up going with. I know selecting a board is very subjective, but so far I'm considering the LF Lyman 139, PS3 137, PS3 141, S4 138, Trip 138, Watson 138 LTD, and Witness 136 and 140. I'm really unsure of what size to go with, so if you could also help out in that department, I would really appreciate it!

To complicate things a bit further, my brother is interested in riding as well. He's been wakeboarding in the past, but I'm unsure of his abilities. Also, wakeboarding is the only board sport that he has really ever done, so that may or may not change things. As far as his personal info, he's in his mid 20s, about 5'9, and around 150lbs. He's also a former Navy sailor with a very apparent type A personality, so you know if he can't get it the first time, you can bet your butt that he'll be trying it until he does:)

Anyway, thanks a bunch for all of the info so far and keep it coming!

Later,

Matt

[HHI Dave]

Any of those boards you listed would serve you well, but I'd stay away from the 136, that's a bit on the small side for your weight. Don't forget, binding choice is a big part of the equation. I love closed toe bindings, but not everyone does. The LF Shanes and Watsons are available in both OT and CT models.

Now, HERE'S a package deal worth checking out.

http://www.evogear.com/outlet/Mashups/Liquid-Force-Witness+Liquid-Force-Watson-CT-Bindings.aspx

[WakinRN2009]

glad to see ur getting tips

[HHI Dave]

So, any luck with the search?

[K9chokechain]

that package looks nice dave. Only about 20 or 30 $'s more than i payed for my trip package and they didnt have the closed toe boots. The boots i have are great but the closed toes just look more comfortable.

Surfer as far as what size i looked at a lot of post and info online and the size is really just based off you're weight. Of course some people like bigger boards and others like smaller but they are based off you're weight. Like my 138 says its for up to 200 lbs i think. i could be wrong it may be a little more. I'm 5' 11" 185 190 depending on how long i been home from the desert and the 138 fits great.

U make a choice yet? let us know what you decided on.

[Southern Surfer]

Sorry I haven't replied in a while guys, but I've been down at the beach and my freakin internet was down while I was there. It worked out overall though, I was able to spend more time boarding and less time checking my email; something that I do too much of as it is. Anyway, I was excited to see these replies when I returned and that package Dave listed looks awesome especially for including closed toe boots and I heard the Watson is very comfortable. I checked out some reviews for the Witness this afternoon and they're solid as well. I would definitely have to go with the 140 though as the 136 is apparently going to be too small and they don't offer a 138 in that package. So my question to you guys is whether or not a 140 would be too big or not? That is a fantastic bargain and I'm tempted to jump at it this week, but wanted to get all of the details before I make a decision. Thanks a bunch for all of your help and thanks to Dave for finding that amazing package! Talk to ya soon!

Later,

Matt

[JeffreyCH]

Southern Surfer, How much do you weigh? If you are between 180-200ish you'll be fine on a 140

edit:sorry missed the weight in original post, at 170 you should be good on a 140 but it is going to seem a bit loose at first so keep the fins in until you get used to the edges. One of my buddies weighs 175 and is learning on my 141, he couldn't get any control at all till I put the center fins in. Time before last we went out and my brother had his 138 Faze and my bud had a much easier time with it.

[HHI Dave]