Wakeboarding for Beginners

Getting Started

Synopsis: Before you can even get on the water, there are many things you will need to consider. here, we discuss how you can get ready for your first wakeboarding excursion.

Imagine yourself riding smoothly over glass in the warm summer sunlight. The wind blows across your face. You can clearly hear the music from your high-end tower speakers over the low rumble of the monstrous engine in your boat. You take a nice, progressive cut into the crisp wake shaped excellently by the unfathomable amount of ballast hidden beneath your seats. As you hit the wake and effortlessly perform a monster wake to wake jump into the flats, the seven gorgeous, available women in the boat continue to watch intently.

Suddenly, a loud sputter is heard. The engine dies. You glide into the water, still clutching the handle. Your buddy gives you a sheepish look from the driver's seat. Oh no, you've run out of gas. A novice mistake.

With the help of wake-boarding.org you won't be caught. Here we'll show you the ropes (metaphorically speaking) and get you ready for your first wakeboarding excursion. We'll walk you all the way through picking out and buying your gear, preparing your equipment for its first outing, learning to be a safe and responsible boater and warn you of common pitfalls that first time boarders (and boaters) oft encounter. And that's only the beginning of what we have to offer. We have articles for all levels of riders, from first-timers to seasoned veterans.

First things first: before you start boarding, you'll want some gear.

I know a lot of wakeboarders (myself included) who started out by going to their local sporting goods store and buying a cheapo wakeboard package. Mine came with sandal bindings and ran about a hundred bucks.

This is definitely a viable route, especially if you've never even tried the sport before. But if you are planning on getting into the sport (doing more than just stand there on the board), buying an entry level board like that will start to hinder your progress very early on.

What I would encourage you to do is find someone to take you out boarding your first time (be sure to read our article on getting up so you know the basics before you get out there). Decide if wakeboarding is for you without making a huge initial investment (but be sure to give them some gas money!).

If you catch the fever (and I'm sure 99% of you have or will since you're reading this article), then do some research and find a board that will last you for a long time. You may even want to buy second-hand if you're tight on cash.

Buying a good board and bindings are the best investment in wakeboarding that you will ever make.

Hopefully, if you play your cards right, you will be able to find a regular wakeboard crew to go with and won't have to make the major investment in a boat yet. If you're ready to take that plunge, check out our guide to buying a wakeboard boat.

Be sure that once you've found your ride you are courteous. There is a certain etiquette that you must follow if you are riding behind another person's boat. We've run through that in our courtesy article. Be sure to read that so that you get that all-important return invitation (and don't come off looking like a dick).

Finally, don't forget the most important thing: have fun! This is what wakeboarding is really all about. It's one of the most amazing feelings in the world to stick a new trick but nothing can beat a good day on the water with your friends.

Speaking of friends, check out our community forums to meet other water-sports enthusiasts. Find riding buddies, talk boats, learn something new, or just chill.

Need help on this trick? Visit our wakeboarding discussion board.