Wakeboarding: Knowledge and Right Preparation Before Hitting the Waves

Wakeboarding Essentials: Weight and Performance What are Wakeboards? FIDUTON The wakeboard is a buoyant board (resembling a surfboard) that is used to ride over water while being pulled behind a motorboat Wakeboards are shorter in length than snowboards and slightly wider Important Pieces Needed for Wakeboarding O Wakeboard boots Wakeboarding vest Wakeboarding boat, water ski or sports boat Wakeboard Wakeboarding rope Wakeboard length longer or Shorter Wakeboards? Aside from your body weight, the size of the wakeboard you ride will depend on your riding style cm Shorter Boards: Slower Sizing guidelines for rider weight Takes more energy to push through the water Easier to spin in the air Rider Weight Wakeboard Length Under 100lbs Under 130 cm Longer Boards: 90 - 150 Ibs 130 - 134 cm Heavier 130 - 180 Ibs 135 - 139 cm Needs more work against the weight in the air Gives more control 170 - 250 lbs 140 - 144 cm Easier to ride and learn on 200 - 275 Ibs larger than 144 cm Great for learning tricks for the first time If there are multiple people using your wakeboard, base your selection on the weight of the rider who rides the most or the heaviest rider How does Wakeboard Weight affect Performance? Wakeboard Maintenance Lightweight wakeboards make for super smooth riding and easy navigation Keep your wakeboard out of the sun for long periods of time. Sun damages gear just like skin. Wake manufacturers are constantly developing new materials and technology to make lighter wakeboards Upgrading to a super light board is like trading your Honda Civic for a Porsche, it is light, fun, fast, but with a higher price tag Rinse your gear with fresh water after use in salt water. Protect your investment with a wakeboard bag for storing and transporting. Bags fend off bumps, scratches and long exposure to the sun as well as protect your boat. Wakeboarding Tips for Beginnes Be sure to dry your wakeboard before leaving it in its bag for a long period of time. Keep Your Rope Long keep your rope a pretty good distance away from the boat until you get used to the wake from the water Store your gear in a cool, dry location. Wakeboarding and Boating Safety Practices Change Speed by Balancing Your Weight by shifting your weight, you will be able to stay balanced and will have an easier time slowing down or speeding up Stay determined keep thinking positively, even if you do not master wakeboarding on the first attempt Wear a life jacket Take a boating safety course Learn the hand signals they provide communication between the skier/wakeboarder and the boat driver Do not drink alcohol Bring a VHF Radio Wakeboarding Hand Signals Faster I'm OK Slower Stop Engine Speed OK Back to the Dock Same Speed Turn Around BoatSports canada www.boatsports.ca References: http://www.waterski.org.hk/enalish/e safetv.htm http://sports.yahoo.com/top/news?slug=ycn-8835347 http://www.weekendwakeboarding.com/buying-a-wakeboard.html http://www.mademan.com/mm/essential-wakeboárding-equipment.html http://www.evo.com/how-to-choose-a-wakeboard-and-wakeboard-size-chart.aspx http://powerboat.about.com/od/safetyandeducation/tp/Boating-Best-Practices.htm CWB