Wakeboard Size Chart For Beginners to Advanced
You’re new to wakeboarding, and you’re really excited to get started with this amazing water sport. You’ve watched other people doing it long enough; it’s time for you to go pick out a board for yourself and get started. But no sooner do you start researching wakeboards to find you’re overwhelmed with the vast array of options. There are so many different sizes and styles and colors, and you’re wondering, what size wakeboard do I need?
If that scenario sounds all too familiar, check out our wakeboard size chart to determine what wakeboard sizes are available and which size is the best fit for you and your needs. While wakeboard sizing is largely up to personal preference, there are some factors to consider.
What size wakeboard do I need?
The size of your wakeboard depends on several different factors. Your size and what you’ll be using it for help determine what size is best for you. Let’s start with a simple weight-length wakeboard size chart. Your weight is an important factor in choosing a wakeboard. If your wakeboard isn’t long enough to support your weight, it won’t float properly. Conversely, if your wakeboard is too big for your weight it will be very awkward to maneuver.
Notice that there is a range of sizes for different weights. If you fall within a weight category you can choose the larger or smaller of sizes depending on if you want your board to be longer or shorter.
Need some adivce on choosing the right wakeboard? Our reviews of the top wakeboards will guide you.
Wakeboard Size Chart
Use this wakeboard size chart to find what size category you fall into. You can choose any length within that category. It’s also a good idea to check the specifications of the individual boards as the weight capacity can vary based on the shape and design as well as the length.
| Rider Weight | Wakeboard Length |
|---|---|
Up to 100 lbs (45 kg) | < 130 cm |
90 - 150 lbs (40 - 65 kg) | 130 - 134 cm |
130 - 180 lbs (59 - 82 kg) | 135 - 139 cm |
170 - 250 lbs (77 - 113 kg) | 140 - 144 cm |
200 - 275+ lbs (91 - 125+ kg) | > 144 cm |
What difference does wakeboard size make?
Wakeboard size makes a lot of difference in the sport. Your stability, control, and balance are all influenced by the size of your wakeboard, so it’s important to make sure you have the correct size for your weight and height.
Pros of Longer Boards
- Move faster across the water
- Get a more reliable and responsive ride
- Get more control and stability
- Easier for learning tricks
More balance
Pros of Shorter Boards
- Move slower across the water
- Make flips easier
- Spin faster
- Maneuver easily
Wakeboard size is just the beginning
There’s more to consider than just the weight-to-size ratio on the wakeboard size chart when you’re buying a wakeboard. Other factors that go into choosing a wakeboard are your skill level and style. Different wakeboards correspond to different skills and styles and will help determine your success at the sport.
Skill level of the wakeboarder
For beginners, longer boards are ideal. Beginners can have a hard time with stability, so using a longer board is best. Longer boards are far more stable – the increased surface area gives more control and allows the rider to stay more balanced. Longer boards make the learning process easier.
Longer boards are faster than shorter boards because they are so stable. They also give you a smoother landing at the end of a trick, so they may be helpful even if you are more advanced and are trying to learn new tricks.
For intermediate and advanced riders, a shorter wakeboard size is often the way to go, though some more seasoned riders still prefer longer boards because of the control and smooth landings they offer. Shorter boards are easier to maneuver and spin because they are lighter.
Wakeboard shapes
The shape of a wakeboard is determined by the sidecuts and by the features on the bottom. There are three different types of sidecuts: single section, multi-section, and bi-section.
The single section sidecut is like cutting off a portion of a circle: there are no hard angles and it’s just a smooth arc.
Multi-section sidecut boards have three distinct lines: an arc, a straight line, and another arc. This gives more angles to the sides of the board.
Finally, the bi-section board is made up out of two arcs that meet in the middle of the side.
Some of the features on the bottom of a wakeboard are the concaves, channels, and spines. The concaves help create lift. Channels are molded-in fins that help with tracking and by breaking up the water’s surface tension, create softer landings. Center spines work in the same way to help with softer landings. Additional fins on a wakeboard can be added to create more stability. A wakeboard without any of these features on the bottom is called featureless.
Wakeboard styles
There are three styles of wakeboards: continuous rocker, 3-stage rocker, and hybrid rocker. Rocker refers to how the board curves when it is placed on a flat surface.
Continuous rockers have a smooth, unchanging curve from end to end and provide a fast, smooth ride with easy turns. Continuous rockers give you a lot of speed because they don’t disrupt the flow of water across the bottom. They’ll also give a very predictable pop for jumps.
3-stage rockers have two distinct bend points at the bottom and they respond more explosively. Because they push more water in front, 3-stage rockers are slower and a little more sluggish at landing, and the flat section in the middle makes landings more intense. Fins on a 3-stage rocker are less effective, so riders have to rely more on their edges.
Hybrids are in between continuous and 3-stage rockers. It has some of the features of the continuous and 3-stage and you can use it for everything. Hybrids have some of the consistency and smooth ride of a continuous rocker with some of the more aggressive pop from the 3-stage rocker.
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Find your style
When you head out to buy your first wakeboard, taking a look at our wakeboard size chart is helpful to figure out what range you should be in as far as weight, but ultimately it’s all down to your personal preference and style. Figure out what you want out of your wakeboard, how it will be used and the experience of the rider and then choose a board you love!
