Whether an individual is a pro wakeboarder or just an amateur just getting started, there is come common wakeboarding gear that is necessary to make the experience enjoyable and safe for all involved. The wakeboarding gear is not cheap in most cases, although good deals can be found at ‘end of season’ sales and also at gear swaps. However, the other big gear that is required for wakeboarding can often cost as much as seven hundred dollars, and that is only a board without the bindings.
Types of Gear
The required wakeboarding gear is the board and bindings. There are wakeboards that are designed to fit the size of the person that is buying it. There are boards that are made for youth and those that are made for men and women. The bindings are also designed for the particular age and sex of the individual so that the person can have as much comfort and security on the water as possible. When choosing a board in wakeboarding gear, it is a good idea to talk to the professionals in the shop to see which one will fit the user’s particular skill level. For beginners, the larger boards are usually better since it gives them more of a platform to stand up on in the water so that they can be successful even before they have all the skills down. It is also usually a good idea for beginners to have fins on the back of the board so that the board is easier to maneuver in the water, also giving the beginner success while they are learning the skills they need.
The bindings in wakeboarding gear have to be fitted according to which foot the individual wants to have in front since the stance is similar to snow boarding or skate boarding. Once the person decides which foot is going to be in front, the person also has to be fitted for the bindings so that they can be placed on the board in the appropriate width. The width should be about shoulder width apart so that the user can stand comfortably and securely in position.
There are other pieces of equipment that are available in wakeboarding gear. A life vest is a must in the water for safety reasons. Some wakeboarders will wear a wetsuit in addition to the vest, depending on the time of year and how cold the water is. There are full wetsuits and half wetsuits that help with the different temperatures in the water. There are also helmets that can be worn, which are sometimes reversible in wakeboarding gear, thus giving the wearer different options.