Wakeboarding is a challenging, exhilarating, adrenaline sport that’s attracting more and more people all the time. The thrill of jumping in the water, grabbing the rope and throwing down over the boat’s wake has few comparisons. Maybe you’ve seen people doing it at the lake, maybe on TV. Regardless you’re itching to get starting and that’s why we’ve come up with the best wakeboard for beginners.
But before you can become the next wakeboarding superstar, you first have to learn how to wakeboard. The first step is to find the wakeboard that is best for you, a beginner. While it may be tempting to simply buy the best gear available, it’s a mistake that a lot of people make. It means nothing to have a $5,000 camera if you know little about photography, so why would you spend your money on an advanced wakeboard when you haven’t even been able to stand up on it yet?
With that in mind, there are many things to consider when finding the best wakeboard for beginners. The main things should be cost, durability, and performance. Below we’ve a found the best wakeboard for beginners plus a couple more with all their specs and features.
Best Wakeboard for Beginners
Ronix Vault Wakeboard
2016 Vault
This is a brand new addition to the Ronix line of wakeboards and it’s number 1 for our best wakeboard for beginners list. For the 139 cm board it will run you about $195, so it won’t hurt your wallet too much if wakeboarding doesn’t turn out to be your thing.
Get More Info on Amazon
It’s a new design with a much thinner profile, which reduces swing weight while in the air and increases the riders contact and feel against the water. It has a continuous rocker that keeps you centered on the board and allows you to smoothly transition on and off the wake. The folks at Ronix know that your body is generally not centered in various riding positions and every aspect of design on this board takes that into consideration.
I ride mine without fins. It’s SUPER grippy and tracks very well. The toe-side definately grabs hard and pops you off the wake with little effort.
Ronix Vault 2015
The toe-side rail is thinner and sits deeper in the water, creating a better grip and enhanced control. The toe-side fins have been made longer and placed closer to the rail for more stability and added grip. The heel-side rail has been redesigned to make for less resistance in the water.
The profile, although thinner, has a much larger sweet spot to make sure you are comfortable riding in any and all water conditions. All of these features get it the #1 spot in our Best Wakeboard for Beginners Shootout.
Highlights
•3-Stage Rocker
•Thinner, Sharper Toeside Rail
•Fuller, Vertical Heelside Rail
•2 Fiberglass 1.7” Hook Fins
| SIZE (cm) | AREA (Sq In.) | HEIGHT (Inches) | ROCKER | STANCE (6 in Board /Plate) | CENTER (Inches) | WEIGHT RANGE (lbs.) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 128 | 745 | 2.4 | 3-STAGE | 18-24 | 16.5 | Up to 160 lbs. |
| 134 | 781 | 2.5 | 3-STAGE | 19.5-25.5 | 16.7 | Up to 175 lbs. |
| 139 | 830 | 2.6 | 3-STAGE | 21-27 | 16.9 | 170 lbs. and Up. |
| 144 | 869 | 2.7 | 3-STAGE | 22-28 | 17 | 175 lbs. and Up |
Grab More Details Here |
||||||
O’Brien System Wakeboard
O’Brien System Wakeboard
The System Wakeboard, made by O’Brien Watersports, comes in at number 2 on our list and is a perfect example of the best wakeboard for beginners. It’s rather affordable, as far as wakeboards go, usually costing no more than about $280.
What makes it the best wakeboard for beginners is its utilization of a continuous rocker system. This helps with stability when both gliding across the water and going in and out of jumps off the boats wake. This means that it helps the rider to keep their balance while they’re on the board.
CONTINUOUS ROCKER – With an even curve from tip to tail, this balanced rockerline is extremely consistent, easy to control, and rolls up the wake for a smooth pop.
Check Out More Details on Amazon
The System also features dual channels at the tip and tail of the board, with center mounted flank fins. What this does is make sure that you can easily glide through the water and make smoother turns into the wake. It also features a foam core, giving it extra buoyancy, making it easier to stand up on it in the water. All of these features make it one of the best boards for a first-time rider.
| SIZE (cm) | Width | Edge Profile | ROCKER | STANCE (6 in Board /Plate) |
Fins
|
WEIGHT RANGE (lbs.) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 119 | 38.1cm / 15” | Straight |
2.1 Continuous
|
18 20 22 |
Flank 1.35
|
40-120 lbs. |
| 124 |
40cm / 15.75”
|
Straight |
2.15 Continuous
|
20 22 24 |
Flank 1.35
|
60-140 lbs. |
| 135 |
42.5cm / 16.75”
|
Straight |
2.25 Continuous
|
21 23 25 |
Flank 1.35
|
100-180 lbs. |
| 140 |
42.9cm / 16.9”
|
Straight |
2.35 Continuous
|
22 24 26
|
Flank 1.35
|
140-230+ lbs.
|
Grab More Details Here |
||||||
Liquid Force Angel
Liquid Force Angel
The last wakeboard on our list of best wakeboards for beginners is built just for the ladies and is a great learning tool. Liquid Force has put out a super forgiving and easy-to-learn-on board with it’s latest iteration of the Angel.
The Angel is specifically designed to help beginner to intermediate riders progress to the next level. This all around board has had a spot in the Liquid Force lineup for years particularly because it’s so good at what it does, giving a forgiving ride and letting you have all that much more fun.
Grab Additional Info on Amazon
One thing we really like about the Angel is that it’s super poppy right off the bat. If you’re in that sweet spot of beginner to intermediate and are looking for a board that will not only support your early learning but also give you that performance edge then the Angel is your board.
The continuous rocker that’s incorporated gives an ultra smooth ride when going from wake to wake so your early days on the water are spent having fun and learning instead of eating water all day because you jumped on an advanced board. The Angel is an excellent value and gives the ladies an awesome experience on the water.
Highlights
- Continuous Rocker
- Disc Hull
- Modern Bat Tail
- Molded Side Fins
- Variable Edge Rail
- Center Fin
- Style: Boat
- Performance 1-4
- Flex: 3
| SIZE (cm) | Width | ROCKER | STANCE (6 in Board /Plate) | WEIGHT RANGE (lbs.) | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 130 | 16.5″ / 41.9 cm |
2.3″ /
5.8 cm |
19.0″ – 23.0″ 48.3 – 58.4 cm |
60 – 120 lbs 27 – 55 kg |
||
| 134 |
16.8″ /
42.5 cm |
2.4″ /
6.0 cm |
20.0″ – 24.0″ 50.8 – 61.0 cm |
90-150 lbs 40 – 68 kg |
||
Grab More Details Here |
||||||
Wakeboarding is not a sport for the faint of heart, but one for the thrill seekers among us. Cruising behind a boat that’s speeding through the water, jumping over the wake, flipping and spinning through the air is exhilarating to say the least.
So when you’re just starting out and trying to get your feet wet (see what I did there), remember that you are going to crash and burn a lot and that the water can be unforgiving. So when that happens, and it will, make sure you at least have the right equipment for your skill level.
Hopefully this list helps to point you in the right direction and find that perfect board that’s comfortable for you. We’ll see you out there!
