Category: ProShop Gear 101

DIFFERENT ROPES FOR DIFFERENT SPORTS Wakeboard ropes and ski ropes are completely different.  Ski ropes, you want more stretch.  Wakeboard ropes you want the complete opposite, no stretch at all.  Why? In order to get some major air off the wake, wakeboarders need to load up the rope.  If the rope is too stretchy, you won’t be able to perform your tricks as well. WAKEBOARD ROPE MATERIALS The material you choose for your wakeboard rope will affect the way you ride. There are 3 main wakeboard rope materials to choose from: Poly E, Dyneema and Spectra. Poly E: This is a low stretch material, making it more forgiving as it absorbs the shock of cutting through the wake which is perfect for beginner riders.  Poly E is the least expensive wakeboard rope available.  It stretches up to 3% of its length under normal riding loads.  If you are a more serious wakeboarder, Poly E is not for you. Dyneema: This material is as strong as a wire and has no stretch.  Dyneema performs well in saltwater, has strong UV and abrasion resistance and outperforms steel and other synthetic rope materials. Spectr [...]

The size wakeboard you ride depends on your weight and riding style as specific boards have their own specialized sizing guidelines.  If you are getting a board multiple people can use, base your selection on the weight of the rider who rides the most, or the heaviest rider. If the wakeboard is not long enough, it won’t be able to float efficiently. WAKEBOARD SIZE CHART Rider Weight (lbs) Wakeboard Length (cm) <100 <130 90-150 130-134 130-180 135-139 170-250 140-144 200-275+ >144 Why Choose a Shorter Board? Many wakeboarders like to ride on the short end of their suggested size range.  The feeling you get depends on a boards shape, but generally, shorter boards are slower and take more energy to push through the water (the longer the board, the more surface area the board has on the water hence, the faster it will go). Shorter boards are easier to do tricks like spin and maneuver in the air when flipping or flying across the water. Shorter boards make for harder landings.  The nose of the boar [...]

Wakesurfers do not have strict length recommendations.  Measured in feet and inches like surfboards, each board is built differently to accommodate different riding styles and ability levels. Bigger Wakesurfers Bigger wakesurfers are the way to go if you are heavier, a beginner or if your boat throws a smaller wake.  They are longer and move slower in the water which is great for beginners. Smaller Wakesurfers Smaller wakesurfers are great for those who are more advanced or light weight as they move faster and are great at cutting the wake. SHOP ONLINE Want a large selection of Wakesurf Boards? Shop at our online ProShop. TheWakeShop.com has all the best brands and the best clearance prices online.

Life jackets, wakeboard vests, life preservers - whatever you want to call them, they all have the same basic guidelines when fitting yourself in the right size life jacket. HOW DO YOU SIZE A WAKEBOARD JACKET? First of all, you'll need to know what type of vest is the one for you. Look at the size, type of vest and the material the life preserver is made out of. Life jackets are not like an apron, where one size fits all. Fortunately, they come in many sizes. Do determine the correct size for you, measure around the thickest part of your chest and match it to the vests measurement specifications. Most wakeboard vests are form fitting, so it is wise that men and women have their own separate vests. MOST IMPORTANT: If you can put more than 3 fingers in the gap between your shoulders and the vest, the life vest is too big. This wakeboard vest will not keep your head above water. FIND THE RIGHT TYPE OF VEST FOR YOU The US Coast Guard requires that all passengers on a boat, to have a USCG approved life jacket. Sometimes these life vests might be more bulky, and not the easiest to use when doing water sports like wak [...]

Wakesurf shapers mount to either side of your boat creating a bigger and cleaner surf wake.  This device is great for those whose boats are too old to install a surf system.If you are wanting to get into the modern day surf game, a great option is the Eight.3 Wakesurf Shaper by Ronix.  The device easily mounts to the lower/back point of the starboard or port side of your boat hull, creating an excellent surf wake on either side. The Eight.3 has been tested on a variety of boats and the outcome has been the same, a great surf wake.  So if you have a waterski boat, crossover or an old or newer V-Drive boat, the Eight.3 can be easily mounted and change the way you play on the water. SHOP ONLINE Want a Wakesurf shaper? Shop at our online ProShop. TheWakeShop.com has all the best brands and the best clearance prices online.

To find the right size wakeboard boots or otherwise known as wakeboard bindings, it is wise to look at 3 things: FLEX, FIT, & FEATURES FLEX The flex of a wakeboard binding can vary from stiff, to very flexible, based on the model. What do you like? Do you like to be locked into your boots with a lot of support around your ankles so you can carve and gain speed on the water? Then you would probably want to stay towards boot models that are stiff with less flex. Do you like to have a lot of mobility to do tricks? Then you might consider a softer, more flexible boot. Many beginner boots are more flexible than those meant for advanced riders. Keep that in mind when you are checking out the boots on our online ProShop - TheWakeShop.com  Open-Toe This binding is great for those who share or who have growing children. With open-toe boots, multiple shoe sizes can fit comfortably. An added plus is the fact that you can adjust the laces to have the boot fit more snug, or loose. Closed-Toe These wakeboard bindings are better fitted to your feet, which makes controlling the wakeboard easier. You will have increase [...]