Wakeboarding: The 3 best wakeboards 2024?

Most people are familiar with wakeboarding. But did you know that there are over 80 wakeboard facilities in Germany? Certainly also in your neighborhood.

This is how wakeboarding really works:

Whether you are an advanced wakeboarder or a beginner, in this guide you will find everything you need to know about wakeboarding.

Avoid buying mistakes:

You can also find out which are the best wakeboard models 2024 and which features you should definitely look out for when buying!

In a hurry? Our wakeboard favorite:

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These are the top 3 wakeboards in 2024

Best wakeboard for beginners and advanced wakeboarders

1. WAKETEC Wakeboard

Conclusion

The WAKETEC wakeboard is a wakeboard set for beginners and advanced riders. The set already includes a binding, which ensures a good price-performance ratio.

The binding is a so-called open toe binding. It is therefore suitable for shoe sizes 38-46 and carries wakeboarders weighing 40-85 kg.

The core is made of polyurethane and therefore has little flex. On the other hand, the core makes the board stable and easy to handle.

The board has a continuous rocker and is therefore very forgiving.

Customer ratings

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Best wakeboard for experienced wakeboarders

2. mesle pilot

Conclusion

The Mesle Pilot wakeboard is particularly suitable for all advanced and ambitious beginners who already have experience of other board sports.

The wakeboard has a hybrid rocker that combines the characteristics of a 3-stage and continuous rocker. This makes the board agile, easy to turn, fast and forgiving.

As the fins can be removed, the board is perfect for both boat and wakeboard facilities. If a fin is damaged, it can be easily replaced. The double channels on the underside provide even more control and speed. The Pilot also has a grind base that makes it easy to slide over rails and obstacles.

The price of the board is higher than the others in the selection. What’s more, you have to buy the binding separately. Good quality has its price.

Customer ratings

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Best wakeboard for children

3. MESLE Wakeboard Liberty

Conclusion

The wakeboard set from MESLE is suitable for children and teenagers, a binding is already included. The binding is a so-called open toe binding. The board carries riders weighing between 20 and 50 kg.

A polyurethane core is also used here, which is less flexible but very stable. Four guide grooves ensure easier control and speed build-up.

Customer ratings

Bestsellers: The most popular wakeboards

(**Last update 2024-09-16)

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What to consider when buying a wakeboard?

The various elements of a wakeboard allow an incredible number of possible combinations. It’s easy to lose track and ask yourself: What’s the point of this board?

So that rocker, camber and cable are no longer foreign words for you:

Find out everything you need to know about wakeboarding and how to successfully master your first wake attempts in a fun way.

Wakeboard size

Which wakeboard size suits me?

The first factor in choosing the right wakeboard is size. Size here means the length of the board. How long a wakeboard needs to be depends on the wakeboarder’s height and body weight.

In principle, the following applies:

1. Shorter wakeboards:

   They are slower and more difficult to push through the water. But easier to turn in the air when performing tricks. Landing is more difficult with short boards as they have a small contact surface. In addition, the tip of the board tends to dip into the water.

2. Longer wakeboards:

   They are easier to ride and are therefore very suitable for beginners. The large contact surface ensures good buoyancy and the board moves quickly through the water. Turns become more strenuous in the air, as longer wakeboards are naturally also heavier.

   On the other hand, the wakeboard is more stable during tricks and you have more control. The large contact surface also makes landings easier. Large boards are therefore ideal for learning new tricks.

Which size is the right one?

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Wakeboard core

The right wakeboard core for my needs?

The core forms the basis of the wakeboard. The material of the core is decisive for how flexible and stable the wakeboard is.

There are three types of wakeboard cores:

1. Foam core
2. Wood core
3. Hybrid core

1 Foam core

These cores are made of foam and are usually found on beginner wakeboards. Used for this:

• PVC (polyvinyl chloride) or
• PU (polyurethane) foam.

PVC core

PVC foam is only used in very cheap wakeboards. Wakeboards with this core are only suitable for pulling children behind the boat. They are not suitable for use on the cable lift.

Conclusion: This core is only mentioned for the sake of completeness. It’s worth investing a little more money and buying a wakeboard with a different core.

PU core

PU foam is usually found on entry-level wakeboards. Wakeboards with this core are inexpensive and their characteristics are perfect for beginners.

The material has good buoyancy properties, pleasant cushioning and it is easy to apply pressure to the edges.

Conclusion: A PU core is ideal for taking your first steps on a wakeboard.

2 Wood core

A thin layer of wood is used for wooden cores. Wakeboards with this core are very robust and yet thin. They are also among the most flexible and therefore a lot of fun in the park.

Wood used to be the standard core material, then it disappeared for a while and is now making a comeback.

Conclusion: If you decide on a wooden core, you will have a lot of fun in the wake park, but you have to be prepared to spend a little more money.

3 Hybrid core

A hybrid core consists of a mixture of wood and PU foam and thus combines the best properties of both materials.

The PU foam makes the wakeboard very flexible. At the same time, the wood in the core makes the board stable and robust. The material also makes it possible to install deep channels in the wakeboard, which makes even higher jumps possible.

The exact design of hybrid cores is very diverse:

If you want less flex in certain areas, carbon can be used in these places. There are many possible variants for implementation here, which influence the riding behavior of the wakeboard accordingly. The only disadvantage is the high price.

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Wakeboard Rocker

For what and how much wakeboard rocker do I need?

Rocker refers to the curve from the nose (tip) to the tail (rear end). The shape has a major influence on how the wakeboard behaves in the water and how it reacts.

The rocker is measured from the center of the board to the nose or tail. Manufacturers usually specify the measurement in inches. Different rocker shapes are possible.

The most common types of rocker on wakeboards are:

1. Continuous Rocker
2. 3 Stage Rocker
3. Hybrid Rocker
4. Camber

1 Continuous Rocker

• Fast, smooth and agile rides
• Easy to turn and good for curves
• Forgives mistakes

The Continuous Rocker has an even curve from tail to nose. The shape ensures fast and smooth rides, whether on a boat or cable.

This rocker makes the wakeboard agile and easy to turn. This makes it perfect for turns and carving.

The best thing: The rocker forgives small mistakes and the shape absorbs the landing on jumps very well. This makes for a great ride in the water!

But: The continuous rocker makes the board harder to control on the edge!

2 3 Stage Rocker

• Slower
• Aggressive
• Good for high jumps

The 3 Stage Rocker consists of three parts. There is a flat surface in the middle while the nose and tail are curved upwards. This makes the wakeboard more aggressive, but slower than other rockers.

The flat surface in the middle makes the board more aggressive and well suited for sharp and deep turns. At the same time, there is a risk of canting when the board is gliding straight across the water. Wakeboards with this rocker are therefore less forgiving.

The curved shape ensures high jumps over the wake. The landing is less smooth because the surface in the middle of the wakeboard ensures a hard impact. The board feels sluggish after landing.

3 Hybrid Rocker

• Mixed form
• Versatile

The Hybrid Rocker lies somewhere between the Continuous and the 3 Stage Rocker. This combines the properties of both forms.

Attention: Not every hybrid rocker is the same! The shape can vary greatly depending on the board and brand and therefore always has different riding characteristics.

4 Camber

• Rare
• Only suitable for advanced and professional users

Wakeboards with camber are not curved downwards like normal rocker, but upwards. This distributes the rider’s weight evenly on the board and puts less strain on the back foot. This provides a new driving experience.

This form is only used by advanced and professional users. It takes some time to get used to it if you have only ridden boards with the usual rocker before.

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Wakeboard base

Which wakeboard base is right for me?
The base is the underside of the wakeboard, which also includes the fins. The base can take many different forms.

There are many possible combinations, each with a different effect on driving behavior.

The following elements can be part of the wakeboard base:

• Finns
• Concaves
• Channels
• Featureless
• Convex
• V-Shape

Finns

Wakeboard fins provide more control and stability in the water:

• Finns are almost a must on the boat.
• Finns are hardly ever used on the cable.

The number and size of the fins determines how stable the wakeboard is. More and larger fins provide more stability. That’s why fins make sense, especially for beginners.

There are molded-in fins that are permanently attached to the board and removable fins that are attached to the wakeboard with screws.

Disadvantages of fins on a wakeboard?

The fins make the wakeboard more stable, but also less “loose”. In other words, the board is less easy to turn for wakeboard tricks. Large fins make some tricks and spins almost impossible.

Concaves

A concave is an indentation on the underside of the wakeboard through which the water can flow. The concave ensures that the board is more stable but also slower.

A distinction is mainly made between 2 concave shapes:

1. Single Concave is a single concave,
2. Double Concave has two concaves.

Pipe channels are somewhat more unusual and much rarer. The curvature of the pipe channels ensures that the wakeboard cannot slip in 50/50 grinds.

Channels

Channels are notches on the underside of the wakeboard and are built into most wakeboards. They provide more stability and better guidance of the wakeboard in the water.

This is how channels work:

The water is swirled in the channels. This gives them a similar effect to fins.

The deeper the channels are, the more stable the wakeboard becomes:

Choose a wakeboard with the deepest possible channels. This means you can remove the fins and make the board more maneuverable, but still have enough stability thanks to the channels.

Convex

A convex deck is convex downwards. This makes the board very easy to turn and gives it a loose feel.

The small contact surface on the underside makes the wakeboard:

• More agile,
• does not tilt so quickly and
• the curved shape cushions the impact pleasantly, making landings easier and more comfortable.

Conclusion: A convex shape is more forgiving and very popular at the wakeboard facility.

V-Shape

The V shape resembles the shape of a bug and works in the same way. The V-shape improves water displacement.

The wakeboard is characterized by the V-Shape:

• Faster,
• it glides faster and smoother,
• less aggressive on the edge (means: less fast and deep turns).

For big jumps and landings, a V-shape is better than a convex deck:

Normally you land on the tail, but with this shape even a centered landing with the board is still relatively soft.

V-shapes are rarely used at wakeboard facilities:

Due to the V-shape, the wakeboard tilts to one side very easily on obstacles and you quickly tip over into the water.

Featureless

Finally, there is the featureless deck. The underside of the wakeboard is completely smooth and flat. However, this does not make the board any faster. More surface area means more friction and therefore less speed.

When are featureless decks used?

Featureless decks are very often used on cable. They are easy to turn and have a loose driving feel. The flat underside is also perfect for grinds over obstacles.

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Wakeboard binding

What kind of wakeboard bindings are there?

Wakeboard bindings, also known as boot(s), connect the wakeboard to the rider’s feet and are absolutely essential. The boots are either screwed to the board or hooked in with a ratchet system.

How should the boots fit?

The boots should sit firmly on the foot and not wobble. However, they must not be too tight and pinch, otherwise pain is inevitable when worn for long periods. Some bindings are adapted to shoe sizes, some are one-size.

The right flex for wakeboard bindings?

The flex of the boat plays an important role. The bindings range from stiff to very flexible and have different effects on the riding behavior of the wakeboard.

1. Stiff boots:

   Ensure a good grip, even when you’re moving fast. They are also ideal for carving and exerting pressure on the edges.

2. Flexible boots:

   Suitable for beginners and help with performing wakeboard tricks.

Styles and fastening systems

There are a variety of different boots on the market. These differ mainly in their shape and the closure system. Here are the most important ones:

• Open Toe

  With open toe, the boots are open at the front for the toes. This means that these bindings can be used by people with different shoe sizes. This binding is also suitable for children who are still growing.

• Closed Toe

  Closed toe boots look like snowboard boots, so they are closed at the front. They ensure a good hold and fit precisely. You also have more control over the wakeboard, as closed toe boots transfer movements better to the board.

  Closed toe boots are the best choice in winter and in cold waters. Because they keep you a lot warmer than open toe boots.

• System Bindings

  This type of binding is reminiscent of a snowboard. In contrast to the other bindings, the boot is not screwed to the board. You have a binding with which the shoes are strapped on.

  The binding is then tightened with ratchets to secure the boot. The advantage is that you can walk in the shoes and easily get in and out of the binding.

• Fastener

  Don’t feel like lacing up your boots? No problem! But there are boots with a fastner. Here, the laces are simply tightened with a twist lock. This saves time, is simple and convenient.

• Velcro fastener

  There are no laces here at all. Simply close the Velcro fastener tightly and you’re ready to go.

• Boa System

  Similar to the Fastener closure. However, in this case the laces are thin steel cables. The system fits very well and is reliable, but it is also the most expensive.

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Wakeboard Rail

What kind of wakeboard rails are there?

The rail is the edge of the wakeboard. It ensures a good grip when cornering. A distinction is made between three edge shapes:

1. Tapered edges

   With tapered edges, you have good control over the wakeboard. As a result, the wakeboard rides less aggressively and is less forgiving of mistakes.

2. Round and raised edges

   Make the wakeboard fast in the water and are more forgiving than pointed edges. However, you have to sacrifice control over the board.

3. Sidewall

   The sidewall is a square edge covered with a layer of plastic. This protects the wakeboard from knocks and bumps in the park.

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Wakeboard equipment and accessories

What other accessories are included with wakeboard equipment?

Only the wakeboard is not enough. The following items are required to get started properly:

• Wakeboard vest
• Wakeboard helmet
• Rope
• Handle
• Wakeboard bag

The right wakeboard vest?

A vest is essential for wakeboarding. It protects the body on impact and provides buoyancy in the water. At wakeboard facilities, vests are usually a prerequisite for using the facility.

Apart from normal swim vests, impact vests are often used. These are specially designed to protect the upper body from injury.

Which size is the right one?

Most manufacturers offer a list in which you can see which dress size fits which bust size. To do this, measure your chest circumference at the widest point and compare the value with the table.

The right wakeboard helmet?

A wakeboard helmet protects your head in the event of a fall and is therefore an absolute must on the cable! But you can’t go wrong with a helmet on the boat either and you’ll feel safer.

Safety First:

When buying a helmet, make sure that it fits well and does not wobble or pinch. The water must also be able to drain out of the helmet. Appropriate drainage holes are usually installed for this purpose.

It can be even better:

Some helmets are equipped with ear pads. This keeps the head warm and prevents ear infections.

The right wakeboard rope?

When wakeboarding, it is important that the rope on the boat does not stretch. Why? Otherwise there is a risk that the rope will expand over the wake during the jump and then contract again suddenly in the air. This makes it easy to lose your balance in the air.

The right rope length?

What is the point of changing the rope length?

The wake (keel wave) is V-shaped behind the boat. This means that with a short rope, the distance you have to cover during a jump is shorter. The shorter the distance, the easier it is to skip.

When you jump, you want to land on the opposite side of the wake. You don’t want to jump too short or too far and end up on the flat. This is anything but pleasant for the knees.

What many people don’t know:

If someone jumps too far, you can pass the rope out further so that they land in the right place. If someone jumps too short, you can haul in the rope to achieve the same result.

The right rope material?

There are various materials that the rope can be made of:

1. Poly E

   Poly E ropes are inexpensive and well suited for beginners. The rope is shock-absorbent and therefore forgives mistakes when riding. However, it expands by 2-3% percent in length under load.

2. Dyneema

   Ropes made of Dyneema are best suited for wakeboarding. They are very strong, have no stretch and are lightweight. They are also resistant to UV rays and salt water, making them very durable.

3. Solin

   Ropes made of Solin are similarly strong to those made of Dyneema. However, they have less buoyancy and are submerged in a neutral state. This makes them easier to knot.

4. The coating

   The coating is the sheathing of the rope. A coating makes the rope more robust and protects it from environmental influences and knotting.

The right handle?

The handle is located at the end of the rope facing the wakeboarder. It is usually made of EVA, carbon or aluminum. The lighter and larger the handle, the higher the price.

Handles are usually 5-15 inches long. A wide handle is good for tricks as you have more space to hold on to with your hands.

The diameter should be such that the handle is easy to grip. It must therefore not be too thick or too thin.

If you like practicing jumps, a V- or T-handle is worthwhile. This is attached to the actual handle and helps, for example, to pass the rope around behind the back when performing tricks.

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Wakeboard care

How do I properly care for and clean a wakeboard?

This protects the wakeboard from external influences:

• Rinse the entire material with clear water after each use. This means that salt water cannot attack the wakeboard set so easily.
• Do not leave the wakeboard in the sun, the UV radiation damages the material.
• Allow the wakeboard to dry after use and do not store it too hot.
• A wakeboard bag protects the board during transportation. Another advantage: the bag can also be left out in the sun.

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Wakeboard boat setup

The right wakeboard boat setup for the perfect wave?

Wakeboard boats are expensive and most wakeboarders do not own their own boat. If you have a boat that you want to use for wakeboarding, there are a few things to bear in mind:

The wake can be enlarged or reduced in size depending on the position of the boat in the water. Speed also plays a major role when it comes to safety when wakeboarding on a boat.

The right speed?

How fast a boat travels has an effect on the keel wave:

1. Low speed:

   This refers to speeds of less than 21 MPH (miles per hour). If the boat moves slowly, the wake behind the boat becomes unclean and harder to jump over.

   Low speed also means a lower risk of injury. But being slower is also less fun, because it makes it harder to learn tricks.

2. High speed

   A high speed ensures that the wake remains consistent and breaks cleanly. This ensures that you can easily skip the wave.
   The disadvantage: the impact during a fall is stronger at high speed and therefore more painful.

How fast should the boat go?

The speed depends primarily on the skill of the wakeboarder:

1. For beginners:

   When a beginner is on the rope, the boat should move between 12 and 15 MPH. This is a good way to learn the basics and develop a feel for the wakeboard.

2. For advanced users:

   Once the rider has got the hang of it, you can increase the speed to 18-19 MPH. Communication is important! If the wakeboarder does not feel comfortable, he must make himself known. Then you should definitely slow down the boat.

3. For professionals:

   If the wakeboarder wants to perform cuts and jumps, high speeds of over 21 MPH are best. However, 25 MPH is rarely exceeded.

Note: If a beginner is hanging on the rope, they should ride slowly. Advanced wakeboarders can slowly approach higher speeds.

The right wake size?

The wake is the wave that is created behind the boat. It changes depending on the weight and weight shift of the boat.

You don’t need a big wake for beginners. On the contrary, it is actually more of a hindrance. For beginners, it is important to master the basics first and then increase the size of the wake.

Weight the wakeboard boat correctly?

The correct weighting of the boat plays an important role. The heavier the boat, the deeper it sinks in the water, the bigger the wake. Depending on the weight shift, the wake becomes steeper or flatter.

Four ways to ensure that the boat lies correctly in the water:

1. Distribute passengers correctly

   Most boats do not need additional weights. If you want to change the position of the boat in the water, you can simply use your passengers as weights. The advantage is that people are easier to move than additional weights and you can quickly try out different positions for your weights.

2. Balance the sides

   The weight should be distributed as evenly as possible on the left and right side of the boat. This creates a wake that is equally good on both sides. This is important so that it can be used by Goofy and Regular. If one side breaks unevenly, you can change this by putting more weight on that side of the boat.

3. Correctly weight the bow and stern

   The weighting of the bow (front part) and stern (rear end) has an influence on how steep the wake is. If there is more weight on the bow, the wave is less steep. If you have more weight on the stern, the wave becomes steeper. However, the boat should not take off at the bow.

4. Try it out

   Every boat is different! Play with the options you have and find out which setup is best for the boat.

Ballast for weight distribution in the boat

Once you have found the ideal weight distribution for the boat, you can also place other ballast there instead of people. The weight is properly distributed when you have a nice, clean wake behind the boat.

There are three types of additional ballast that are generally used:

1. System Integrated Ballast

   Some boats already have an integrated ballast system that can be used to distribute the weight. This is the best solution as no additional material is required.

2. Water Ballast Bags

   Water Ballast Bags are large bags that can be filled with water. The water can be drained quickly and the weight of the bags can be changed easily. As the bags are made of fabric on the outside and can change shape, they are not a danger to the boat.

3. Weights

   Lead weights are unwieldy and can damage the boat. It is therefore not recommended to use them.

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Learn to wakeboard

Learning to wakeboard is usually quite quick. How to make your first attempts at wakeboarding a success?

Where can you wakeboard in Germany?

Basically on any lake, as long as you are allowed to use it with a motorboat. However, as this is usually not the case, there are a large number of wakeboard cable facilities in Germany.

The advantage:

In contrast to wakeboarding on a boat, wakeboard facilities offer additional obstacles such as kickers and rails. slider and funbox to try them out to your heart’s content.

But it gets even better:

Whether Berlin, Hamburg, Dresden, Mannheim or Langenfeld near Cologne, there are wakeboard parks near every major city in the northern half of Germany. But you can also go wakeboarding without a boat in the south, for example in Aschheim near Munich or on Lake Constance.

Tip: You can find a complete list of all wakeboard facilities in Germany at https://www.cablemekka.com

By the way: there are also wakeboards with a motor. This means you can wakeboard practically anywhere, provided you are prepared to pay the proud price of 15,000 $.

What wakeboard tricks are there?

The list of wakeboard tricks is long, very long. Here is a first selection of the different basic types of tricks:

Railey’s

Railey is ridden on the heelside edge and the wakeboard is then released. This causes the rider to jump into the air and throw his legs up behind him. Superman style!

Spins

During spins, the rider and wakeboard rotate around themselves. A distinction is made between spins in the jump and surface spins on the water surface. You rotate through 180°/360°/540°/720° etc.

Grabs

In a grab, the rider grabs the board with his hand while he is in the air.

Rails/Grinds

In a grind, the wakeboard is glided over a rail or box. These rails and other obstacles can be found in every cable park.

This is just a small overview of wakeboard tricks. You can find a detailed list of all wakeboard tricks here.

Conclusion: The most popular wakeboards reviewed?

Wakeboarding is a beginner-friendly sport that you can try almost anywhere. Whether on vacation or at your home wakeboard facility – fun is guaranteed!

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FAQ: Frequently asked questions and answers about wakeboarding

Why is it called wakeboarding?

The name comes from the English name of the wake, from which you jump off with the wakeboard.

What do I need to wakeboard?

• In the sea: wakeboard with binding, a life jacket or impact vest, a rope with handle and a boat.
• In a facility: wakeboard with binding, buoyancy or impact vest and a helmet.

How can I learn to wakeboard?

Through practice. If you want some help, you can go to a school or attend a course at a cable facility.

What is the difference between water skiing and wakeboarding?

With water skiing, you have one water ski per foot. When wakeboarding, you have a board on which you are locked in with both feet.

Is it compulsory to wear a helmet when wakeboarding?

Yes, at least on a cable system. If you have your own boat, you don’t.

Is it compulsory to wear wakeboard vests?

Yes, at least at a wakeboard facility. At sea, it all depends on the local laws.

How expensive are wakeboard courses?

A beginners’ course costs around 50-80 $, depending on the duration.

Is wakeboarding suitable for children?

Yes, wakeboarding is suitable for children and adults.

What kind of boat for wakeboarding?

So-called V Drive boats are used.

What are typical wakeboard tricks?

Spins, grabs and grinds are some of the best-known wakeboard tricks. Read more about the tricks here.

Are there any independent wakeboard tests?

Unfortunately, there are currently no wakeboard tests available from Consumer Reports or Öko Test. Should this change, the guide will be updated accordingly.

What are well-known wakeboard brands and manufacturers?

The best-known and most popular wakeboard brands include: Hyperlite, Ronix, Liquid Force, Slingshot, Byerly, OBrien, CTRL, Mesle, Jobe.

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Specialist literature, sources & further links

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