2014 NZ Gear Guide
Science behind the boards
Science & Stuff
W
hen it comes to wakeboarding
there are a few technical aspects
that make a big difference, and
cause most new riders a headache
whilst trying to pick their first board, or
second, or third...
There’s really only a few things that
you need to know. The main thing to
remember is that all of the different
technology that goes into a wakeboards
just gives you more chances to find a
board that suits you best. Ofcourse, the
1. Continous 3 Stage / Hybrid
best way to discover this is to grab a few
boards, head out to the lake, and decide
which one’s going on your shopping
list. However, here’s a guide to help you
when it comes to understanding wake
jargon, and what it means for you.
2. 3 Stage
2. Continous
5 Stage
Rocker. Rocker is the curvature between one end of the board and the other. This is measured not
only in how much rocker there is (how bent the board is) but also how the rocker is shaped! Different
styles and sizes of rocker produce different effects. To generalise, a bigger rocker means more pop,
but less consistent, and with harder landing. Rocker shapes are explained below (as above diagram)
1. Continous 3 Stage or Hybrid
Rocker. Basically a 3 stage rocker, but
with the stages smoothes out. This helps
to make the board more predictable, and
more forgiving, whilst retaining most of
the 3 stage pop! This is a relatively new
development, and a direction alot of
boards are headed in.
2. 3 Stage Rocker A 3 stage board
has a flat base, with all of the boards
curveture at the edges. This gives you an
‘Explosive Pop’, as you kick off the wake
with your front foot, and then your back.
Opinion is that this gives you a ‘straight
up’ pop. However it does mean the
timing of your pop is less forgiving than
with a continous rocker.
3. Continous Rocker. A continous
rocker is the orignal wakeboard concept.
The rocker basically starts at one end
of the board, and finishes at the other!
One continous curve. This creates a
very predictable release from the wake,
and smoother landings. The downsides
to this is that some people find that
the lack of a flat base means you lose
out on that ‘kick’ at take off. Whilst
the continous is considered more of an
‘old school’ design, this design is going
to suit some riders styles best! From
beginner right through to pro.
4. 5 Stage Rocker. A new concept. To
put very simply, its a 3 stage rocker with
two different angles of rocker. In theory
this should make the board really poppy,
with smoother landings. Overall a more
forgiving ride.
ROCKER
SIZE
I
t’s not the size, its how you use
it. OK- well some of its about size,
however there’s no real straight
guide to which size board you
should be on. There are general
guidelines for board size based on
your weight (below), however you
also need to take other aspects
into account when chosing a board size.
advanced riders like the extra mobility of
smaller boards.
Ability
Generally speaking, the bigger the board
- the more stable it is, and the easier
landings it will have.
So beginners tend to upsize, Whilst
Environmental
Other factors that can influence your
choice of size can be environmental
factors. For example; boarders who ride
rougher water (in the sea) will want a
Style
Depending on your style you may pick a
different board size, for example if you
go big, and floaty you will likely opt for
a larger board. Fast and techy- and you
will chose a smaller board.
larger more stable board. Or some boat
wakes might have a really small take off
wake in which case you would go for a
smaller board! Salt water can also ride
differently!
Board
Just to confuse things, you might
pick one size for one wakeboard, and
find you like a totally different size on
another model. This could be due to
the materials (lighter more bouyant
materials = a smaller board) You get the
picture
As mentioned above, this is by no means a definitive guide to the size you shoudl be
riding. Remember to try things out if you get the chance! But here’s the general rule of
thumb!
<45 KG = 130cm (or less)
60-80 KG = 135-139cm
40-65KG = 130-134cm
>75 KG = 140cm+
SHAPE
F
rom a distance you may
be fooled into thinking
wakeboards are all the
same, or a very similar
shape. WRONG. Things have
changed alot when it comes
to wakeboard shaping, think
back to the mono-directional
skurfers with pointed ends like a surf
board. If things hadn’t moved to the unidirectional boards (which was shunned
by many at the time) just think how far
behind we’d be now! I’m pretty sure we
wouldn’t be seeing any 1260’s or Crow
Mobe 7’s going down!
There are so many different types of
shaping its going to be impossible to go
into any great depth. However a general
rule of thumb is that the squarer the
e FvW2