Have you ever experienced the thrill of wakeboarding? I’ll tell you what, there is nothing else like it! Many reading this will agree that the wakeboarding is a super exciting sport that everyone has to try at least once. The trick is just holding on long enough to get up on your feet. Once you figure that you, adrenalin rushes through you as you glide behind a boat at high speeds.
If you want to purchase your first wakeboard or you’re looking to upgrade your current wakeboard, you’re in the right spot. In this article I’ll walk you through some of the best options available right now. Get ready for boating season now so that when summer comes all you need to do is head to the lake and have some fun!
What to Look for in a Wakeboard
To start with, let’s discuss a few important features to look for when shopping for a wakeboard. Consider the answers to the following questions to determine the best wakeboard for your crew this season.
What is your skill level?
Beginner boards are designed to be more stable. Advanced boards, on the other hand, will go much faster. Make sure you understand the skill level of the board you select. If multiple people will use it, I suggest considering the skills of the person who will ride it the most. Another option is to acquire two boards to accommodate the different abilities of your riders.
What size is best for you?
Compare your weight and height to the manufacturer’s sizing chart to ensure you get the proper length. Remember that in general, shorter boards are slower, less stable, and prone to sink but are easier to do tricks on. Longer boards are great to learn on since they are easier to control and land.
What are the fins like?
The fins will direct and stabilize the board but they come in many shapes and sizes. Deep, long fins make for a more stabled ride but also make it difficult to do tricks. Some fins are shallower or can be removed altogether so there is less traction and it is easier to do tricks.
Top Wakeboards for Fun at the Lake
| Product | Features |
|---|---|
Hyperlite Rusty Pro | |
Hyperlite Vapor Destroyer | |
Hyperlite State 2.0 | |
Zup You Got This 2.0 | |
Hyperlite Motive | |
Hyperlite Mystique | |
Hyperlite Agent | |
Driftsun Throwdown | |
Hyperlite Machete | |
Rave Sports Impact | |
Ronix Vault |
Hyperlite Rusty Pro
Let’s start with the Hyperlite Rusty Pro. It may have the highest price tag on our list, but believe me when I say it is worth every dollar! It is well built so you can count on it to be durable and resistant to delamination.
More experienced riders love that it is responsive and light enough to add a kick. And you’ve got to appreciate open toes bindings if you plan on multiple people using this board.
Intended skill level: Intermediate
Dimensions: 140, 143, or 146cm long
Weight limit: 170 lbs
Fins: Shorter .7″ beam fins
Hyperlite Vapor Destroyer
You’ve got to appreciate the versatility of the Hyperlite Vapor Destroyer. It will fit shoe sizes ranging from 8-14 and also ability levels ranging from beginner to expert. Like other boards we’ve reviewed here, this board by Hyperlite features a three stage rocker so you can execute some sweet tricks on it.
While Hyperlite makes quite a few quality boards, the Vapor Destroyer is one of their best products because of the way it combines stability with explosive pop! If you can’t tell, I highly recommend this wakeboard!
Intended skill level: Beginner to Expert
Dimensions: 135, 139, or 143 cm
Weight limit: 180 lbs
Fins: removable
Hyperlite State 2.0
Here’s what makes the Hyperlite State 2.0 so special: it is made of layered glass so it will perform well year after year. Many wakeboards are made of woven glass fibers which eventually separate but you won’t have that problem with this board.
Also, the molded in fins create less drag so it’s easier to do tricks off the wake. You really can’t go wrong with this option; it’s a fantastic board that you won’t regret buying!
Intended skill level: All abilities
Dimensions: 130, 135, or 140 cm
Weight limit: 160+ lbs
Fins: molded in
Zup You Got This 2.0
This fun, brightly colored wakeboard comes with a rubber, easy-to-grip handle and is versatile enough to be used as a knee board or boogie board as well. Ambitious riders will be able to carve and spin while beginning riders will feel comfortable cruising on this board. In other words, this is going to be your best purchase of the year because of all the fun it will deliver!
Intended skill level: Beginner and Intermediate
Dimensions: 57″ x 25″
Weight limit: 350 lbs
Hyperlite Motive
The Hyperlite Motive is the complete package for wakeboard enthusiasts! It comes with OSFA bindings and open-toed boots compatible with a wide range of foot sizes.
You will love the way this board feels on the water and may use words like smooth, mellow, and forgiving to describe the experience. This is the perfect choice for beginners and experienced wakeboarders alike!
Intended skill level: Beginner and Intermediate
Dimensions: 134 or 140 cm
Weight limit: 170 lbs
Fins: 2 molded and 1 removable
Hyperlite Mystique
Shout out to my fellow female wakeboarders out there: this is the board for you! Specifically designed for women, the bestselling Hyperlite Mystique is thinner and lighter than alternatives.
It was recently released in 2021 with all sorts of upgrades such as an extra sturdy binding system. Women who are experienced wakeboarders will especially appreciate all the nuances of this board. Best of all, the Mystique comes with a one year manufacturer’s warranty!
Intended skill level: Intermediate to Advanced
Dimensions: 135 cm
Weight limit: 160+ lbs
Fins: removable
Hyperlite Agent
Dimensions: 134, 138, or 142cm long
Weight limit: 180 lbs
Fins: removable
Driftsun Throwdown
If you’re looking for a board that will grow with its rider, this is the one for you! While the Throwdown is designed to enable beginning riders to get up more easily, it is also built for high speeds and great maneuverability. With four removable fins, riders can easily customize their experience as they become more skilled.
Dual concave channels on the underside of the board extend from the middle to the back, and the diamond tail (complete with hefty kicktail) allows for more responsive turning. Its 2.5″ x 14.25″ rocker also helps with mobility and responsiveness, while its low rail and rolled edges help with stability for newer riders.
This board is made from EPS foam core with a strong wood stringer running down the middle. It then has a fiberglass layer topped with glass epoxy resin for a durable finish. Its EVA traction pads easily repel water to provide feet with a good grip when using standard footing, while the rest of the board works well with the addition of wax.
Intended skill level: Beginner to Intermediate
Dimensions: 54″ x 20″
Weight limit: 250 lbs
Fins: removable
Hyperlite Machete
This wakeboard is the real deal for anyone who is serious about the sport. Designed with a new binding system, including additional metal inserts in the mounting bracket to reduce wear and create a better hold when mounting the binding, the Machete is durable and user-friendly. The boots themselves have a single-cinch lacing system to make it quicker and easier to get into and out of the boots when needed.
In addition, Hyperlite has designed one of the thinnest baseplates out there, allowing the rider to easily and smoothly transfer power from boots to board without losing too much of that power in the process. In addition to ease, this board also provides the best in comfort. The footbed is made from dual density foam that provides enough padding for landing flips and enough support for stationary riding.
Intended skill level: Intermediate to Advanced
Dimensions: 136 cm, 140 cm, or 144 cm
Weight limit: Varies by board size
Fins: removable
Rave Sports Impact
The Rave Sports Impact is sure to be a favorite among your kids on the boat this summer. This is ideal for kids who are just learning to wakeboard because it is small and forgiving while also easy to control and built for stability. Plus the foam core makes it extra buoyant and durable.
As your kids get older you can even adjust the stance to accommodate their improving skills on the wakeboard. This may be cheaper than other boards here, but it would be ideal for a family with young ones wanting to learn to wakeboard.
Intended skill level: Beginner
Dimensions: 48″ x 15″
Weight limit: 125 lbs
Fins: removable
Ronix Vault
With the understanding that a person’s hips and shoulders are not in line with each other while wakeboarding, Ronix gave this wakeboard an asymmetrical design to enable proper body posture during use, reducing the amount of strain on the body. In addition, as a 3-stage rocker that gets more abrupt at the tips, this board allows for smoother jumps, flips, and spins. It is this aspect of its design that also allows for a more enjoyable wake-to-wake riding experience.
The board is equipped with two 1.7” fiberglass hook fins as well as two molded-in fins. It also has a fuller, vertical heelside rail and a thinner, sharper toeside rail. The boots boast auto-lock technology and include Stage 1 liners, which are made from a lightweight, comfortable, single-density material that allows for greater mobility. Built-in ankle supports help hold the heel in place, and the soles of the boots provide what Ronix calls S.O.L.E, or a Soft Orthotic Landing Experience.
Intended skill level: Intermediate to Advanced
Dimensions: 135 cm, 140 cm, or 145 cm
Weight limit: 200 lbs
Fins: 2 fiberglass hook and 2 molded-in
FAQs
What is the difference between a wakeboard and a kneeboard?
Wakeboards are built differently than kneeboards since you stand rather than kneel on a wakeboard. While kneeboards are long, flat, and thick, wakeboards are short and curved upward. This makes kneeboarding easier for beginners to learn since the body is closer to the water. However, wakeboarders can generally execute more complex tricks since they are on their feet.
Is wakeboarding safe?
How old should someone be to wakeboard?
Determining how old someone should be when they start wakeboarding depends on their interest and strength. Avoid forcing someone to try wakeboarding if they don’t want to do it. Also consider their general fitness and coordination abilities. Children may feel comfortable wakeboarding as young as preschool and as old as high school.
