What’s the difference between wakeboards vs snowboards? When you look at pictures of snowboarders and wakeboarders you will notice that they look pretty similar. Even though they are boarding on different surfaces, the boards look pretty similar, and so do the tricks they are performing.
Maybe you’re trying to decide between the two sports. Or maybe you’re already a snowboarder and want to try your hand (or feet) at wakeboarding. Either way, you’re wondering how to decide between wakeboard vs snowboard. We’ve got the answers for you! Read on to discover how alike (and unlike) snowboarding vs wakeboarding are!
Is wakeboarding like snowboarding? The similarities and differences
As you probably noticed from your first glance, there are similarities between wakeboarding and snowboarding, but you’re probably still wondering how much is wakeboarding like surfboarding. Both sports get their origin from surfing, though wakeboarding has a more obvious connection.
Wakeboarding got its start because surfers wanted to spend time on the water even when there were no waves. It’s a little harder to see how snowboarding came from surfing, though it has similar movements to riding the waves. It was originally called “snurfing”, or snow surfing.
Both sports require the rider to have great balance to stay on the narrow board when riding the slopes or the waves. In both sports, the rider’s feet are bound to the board for stability. Both sports require specific stances and movements to balance, turn, and perform tricks, and those stances and movements are pretty similar.
There are also some main differences between wakeboarding vs snowboarding as well. The most obvious is that one is done on the water in warmer weather and the other is done on snowy slopes in the winter. With that comes the difference in equipment. Snowboarding requires more personal gear since it’s done on freezing-cold mountains in the winter months. Snowboarding equipment includes warm layers, a helmet, sun goggles, and boots that strap to the board.
Wakeboarding, on the other hand, only requires a swimsuit, life vest, and bindings. You will need a boat to pull you on the water, though, while snowboarding only requires your body and a board.
Some other differences in snowboarding vs wakeboarding are that snowboards are long and thin, while wakeboards are wider and shorter. Wakeboards also have fins at the bottom, which snowboards do not.
Wakeboard v snowboard - the details
When it comes to deciding between wakeboard vs snowboard, there are several aspects to consider. These include season, location, equipment, and your physical abilities.
Wakeboarding requires access to a lake or other large body of water. Sometimes you can find a wakeboarding park near you. Wakeboarding also requires somewhat temperate weather since you will be spending a lot of time getting wet. This is not convenient when you live in a cold climate.
Snowboarding, on the other hand, requires the snowy slopes of a mountain. Not all states have mountains or snow, so your location in part determines whether snowboarding is feasible for you. If you don’t live near a snowboarding location you will have to travel to get to one.
As mentioned before, snowboarding requires more equipment than wakeboarding does. You can often rent equipment, or you can purchase your own. Plus you will have to factor in the cost of traveling if you do not live near a snowboarding location.
Wakeboarding requires less equipment and so is generally cheaper, though you will have to have a boat. You can either purchase your own or use a friend’s boat for a more cost-effective option. Sometimes you can rent boats at certain locations.
Wakeboarding and snowboarding both require a good level of physical strength and athletic ability, though where you have that strength in your body differs between the two sports. Wakeboarding requires greater upper-body and arm strength to be able to keep a strong grip on the tow line, while snowboarding requires greater leg strength.
Looking for a great wakeboarding location?
We have suggested the top lakes and cable parks to get you started.
Is wakeboarding or snowboarding harder?
Wakeboard vs snowboard: which is harder? If you’re a newbie to both sports, wakeboarding is usually easier to learn than snowboarding, at least at the beginning. The main thing you need to learn in wakeboarding is to stand up on the board while it’s moving. You can find lots of great tutorials for this online.
After you learn to stand up, your wakeboard’s fins will keep you moving in a straight line. At this point all you need to do is bend your knees and hang on to the tow line. Once you’re comfortable with that you can start learning some tricks, starting with learning to pop.
Snowboarding, on the other hand, requires a lot more skills at the beginning. You’ll need to learn how to skate, which means having only one foot strapped onto your board and pushing yourself around with the other foot. You’ll need to learn how to ride a chairlift, which is a lot harder than it sounds, especially when you’re strapped onto a board.
Wakeboard vs snowboard: which is harder? If you’re a newbie to both sports, wakeboarding is usually easier to learn than snowboarding, at least at the beginning. The main thing you need to learn in wakeboarding is to stand up on the board while it’s moving. You can find lots of great tutorials for this online.
After you learn to stand up, your wakeboard’s fins will keep you moving in a straight line. At this point all you need to do is bend your knees and hang on to the tow line. Once you’re comfortable with that you can start learning some tricks, starting with learning to pop.
Snowboarding, on the other hand, requires a lot more skills at the beginning. You’ll need to learn how to skate, which means having only one foot strapped onto your board and pushing yourself around with the other foot. You’ll need to learn how to ride a chairlift, which is a lot harder than it sounds, especially when you’re strapped onto a board.
Once you’ve learned how to skate you’ll learn how to strap your back foot back in while sitting down, and then how to stand up once your feet are strapped in. This movement is similar to getting up on a wakeboard, but you have to do it with your own momentum.
Of course both sports are fun once you get the hang of them, but in general wakeboarding has an easier and faster learning curve for beginners. You’ll most likely want to take snowboarding lessons, while wakeboarding can be started on your own.
