Wakeboarding is an exhilarating activity for water-loving daredevils. Many people learn the sport fairly quickly — especially if they are already experienced in snowboarding or other board sports. It’s all about working with the water and the boat. Pro wakeboarder Kirby Liesmann advises beginners to let the boat do the work. The most common problem is trying too hard. “Don’t fight it, just ride it,” says Liesmann.
Whether or not you’re a quick study, if you want to try wakeboarding, you’ll need a lot of gear. Rent first to make sure you like the sport. And when you decide to invest, here’s what you’ll need.
Lake Wakeboarding: Learn How to Wakeboard
Lake Wakeboarding: Learn How to Wakeboard (Amazon)
Price: $12.99
What you need to know: This step-by-step guide to wakeboarding will familiarize you with the basics and the tricks, from beginning to intermediate.
Lake Wakeboarding instruction book - $12.99Slingshot Sports Coalition Wakeboard - 2022
Slingshot Sports Coalition Wakeboard – 2022 (Backcountry)
Price: $305 (Down from $479.99, save 36%)
What you need to know: This board promises to glide across water with otherworldly ease thanks to an atomic wood core.
Coalition Wakeboard - $305Connelly Skis Lotus Wakeboard + Optima Binding
Connelly Skis Lotus Wakeboard + Optima Binding (Backcountry)
Price: $349.95
What you need to know: This beautiful floral patterned board suits the wakeboarder who likes pretty things.
Lotus Wakeboard + Optima Binding - $349.95O'Brien 4-Section Poly-E Wakeboard Rope & Handle Combo
O’Brien 4-Section Poly-E Wakeboard Rope & Handle Combo (Cabela’s)
Price: $34.99
What you need to know: Don’t let that boat get away! This rope and handle promise an easy grip.
Wakeboard Rope and Handle Combo - $34.99Slingshot Sports Copycat Boot - 2022
Slingshot Sports Copycat Boot – 2022 (Backcountry)
Price: $340
What you need to know: These colorful boots were made especially for female wakeboarders. Enjoy the customized flex and removable liners.
Copycat Boot - $340O'Brien Water Sports SOB Wakeboard + GTX Binding
O’Brien Water Sports SOB Wakeboard + GTX Binding (Backcountry)
Price: $880
What you need to know: This hybrid model works behind a boat or in a wake park. Removable fins let you change up your riding style. Plus, it comes with wakeboard boots, also known as bindings.
SOB Wakeboard + GTX Binding - $880O'Brien Water Sports Focus Neo Personal Flotation Device - Women's
O’Brien Water Sports Focus Neo Personal Flotation Device – Women’s (Backcountry)
Price: $84.95
What you need to know: When you run into trouble, wearing a snug-fitting life jacket will make it easier for some hero to pull you out of the drink. This black and purple one by O’Brien is cute and comfortable.
Focus Neo PFD - $84.95Vuori Cruise Board Shorts - Men's 18.5" Outseam
Vuori Cruise Board Shorts – Men’s 18.5″ Outseam (REI)
Price: $46.93 (Down from $68, save 30%)
What you need to know: Of course, you’ll need some cool board shorts. This Hawaiian-inspired pair from Vuori is made with recycled polyester and upcycled coconut. It works well on land, too, so you can go from wakeboarding to hot yoga.
Vuori Cruise Board Shorts - $46.93Patagonia Wavefarer Board Shorts - Women's 5" Inseam
Patagonia Wavefarer Board Shorts – Women’s 5″ Inseam (REI)
Price: $65
What you need to know: These board shorts designed for women use 100% post-consumer nylon from recycled fishing nets! The ocean thanks you.
Patagona Board Shorts - $65Wakeboarding journal
Wakeboarding Journal (Amazon)
Price: $3.82
What you need to know: Do you have a mini wakeboarder? This journal is designed for kids to chronicle their wakeboarding adventures.
I Love Wakeboarding! Journal - $3.82Wakeboats
Once you get really, really serious about wakeboarding, you can get a boat made just for the sport. This investment will probably come later. But we can dream, right? Malibu makes boats specifically for wakeboarding.
Malibu Boats
