Wakeboards for newbies

[Cougem]

Hi, I've been a water-skier for years now, but only recently have I started wakeboarding. I've had about 5 15 minute sessions and I'm pretty confident now at getting up, turning, leaving/entering the wake. This was all done on holiday in Greece.

But now I'm back in the UK, and even though I have a boat, I don't have a wakeboard.

What's a good, not TOO expensive board to learn how to jump etc on?

If you could give me some references to places where I could buy them that'd be a great help, and the specific boards

Thanks,

-James

[el-tio]

how much do you wiegh? would be a good question to start with, then we can narrow your choices down.

cheers

[Cougem]

I'm pretty small, 5'6", not that much over 8 stone, size 8 feet around.

[el-tio]

You could get away with a 134 cm board or upwards.

There are several things to look out for when buying a wakeboard.

Size too big and you will find it difficult to spin/do tricks, too small and it will sink to easily. Go for a 133-138cm

Tip/tail shape - rounded are good for beginers as they dont catch on the wake.

fins 2/4/6 are all possibilities, some are cupped to allow easy surface spins, i would go for 4 or six as they give you more options.

basically i would advise not getting a so called *beginners* board as you will soon outgrow it, as the learning curve in wakeboarding is quite quick.

Makes to look out for are :-
Liquid Force
Hyperlite
Jobe

Depending where you live i would get down to Milton Keynes tow and test ride some different boards (you can do this at princess too), then you get to try loads of boards and if you buy one you get your money back (for trying thm out).

here are some good links :-

http://www.craigcohoon.co.ukhttp://whitecap_holding.stodge.org/w.../cabletest.htm
http://www.princes-shop.co.uk/


hope this helps