Wakeboard Sizes | HowStuffWorks

Wakeboard Sizes

Similar to a surfboard, a wakeboard begins with a core constructed out of foam or polyurethane. It's then wrapped in a mixture of fiberglass and graphite -- the same lightweight, buoyant and difficult-to-break composite used to make water skis. Length-wise, wakeboards range from around 4 feet (1 meter) to 5 feet (1.5 meters). Their width can be anywhere from 15 inches (39 centimeters) to 17 inches (43 centimeters). As the board gets longer, its width increases too [source: Dick's Sporting Goods].

So how long does your board need to be? Basically, the bigger you are, the longer your board ought to be, no matter what your experience level is. This is because, quite simply, extra board provides additional support for your frame. However, no matter if you're a big person, little person or medium person, if you're new to wakeboarding, choose a longer board. That extra board provides more stability, especially when starting and turning. It also makes learning easier. As you gain experience and hone your skills, then you can opt for an increasingly shorter -- and less forgiving -- short board.

For more information on wakeboarding and other water sports, follow the links below.

When it comes to selecting the right wakeboard, tips (the ends of the board) come into play, too. In general, boards can be distinguished as single-tip or twin-tip:

• A single-tip board has a pointed tip at the front end and the back end is square, or flat. A wakeboarder on a single-tip board is able to move wakeboard in only one direction. This means that if you attempt a jump with a single-tip board, you've got to land so that you can get back into forward-facing formation in a hurry.
• A twin-tip board is rounded in the front and back, allowing the rider to wakeboard facing in either direction. This means you can land facing either direction after tricks and get oriented again by simply rearranging the rope tow.

Related HowStuffworks Articles

• Top 5 Surf Spots
• How Surfing Works
• How Wakeboarding Works 
• How Waterskiing Works
• How Canoeing Works
• How Kayaking Works
• How Personal Watercraft Work

Sources

• Kalman, Bobbie. Extreme Wakeboarding. Crabtree Publishing Company. 2006.
• Dick's Sporting Goods. "Wakeboard Buyers Guide." (Accessed December 16, 2009)http://www.dickssportinggoods.com/info/index.jsp?categoryId=222798.
• Kovach, Brad. "10 Tips for Choosing a Wakeboard." Boater's World, use by permission on DiscoverBoating.com. (Accessed December 16, 2009)http://www.discoverboating.com/resources/article.aspx?id=378
• Tomlinson, Joe and Leigh, Ed. Extreme Sports: In Search of the Ultimate Thrill. Firefly Books. 2004.
• USA Waterski. "USA Wakeboard: History of Wakeboarding." (Accessed December 23, 2009)http://www.usawaterski.org/pages/divisions/wakeboard/WakeboardHistory.htm
• WaterSki Magazine. "How to Choose a Wakeboard." (Accessed December 16, 2009)http://www.waterskimag.com/features/2001/06/14/how-choose-to-a-wakeboard/

ncG1vNJzZmiZlKuyr8DUq5xnoJ%2BswLXBxZ%2BuqKqbqHuku8xopq6slKS8s3nAnKuirpmptqa%2FjrCYrZ2iYsCxu9GtqmibmKS8tLGMsJiknZKkrrOwkmefraVcYXlteItlYw%3D%3D