Am I ready for that board?

[Shroom]

I've been boarding for about 6 months now. I can get up fine and play around on the surface (Switches, Butterslides etc) I've not managed proper jumps yet, but I did get a scraggly little one on the last run I did before the boat was taken off the water.

I'm now in the market for a new board as I'm riding an Ironing board at the moment. (Well nearly, it's a Blindside Epic 142 from about 2000 or 2001.)

What level board do you reacon I should be going for? I've been offered a O'Brien Player which looks a good board, but the reviews say it's for Intermediate to advanced riders.

What do you reacon? Can I pass myself off as an intermediate? Or an I stuck in the ranks of Beginner until I can pull some decent air?
If so, I was also looking at the Liquid Force Trip 142.

Any comments or advice would be greatly appreciated. Is there anywhere about where I might be able to try some different boards out? I live just south of Manchester.

Many thanks to you all

[peanut]

Hi

If your looking for a new board, heres some advice.

Most advanced boards are better for beginers than a beginners board.

For example most shops will say a beginners board is a cheap board, probably some pants package that includes a free instructional DVD, a line and handle that will stretch so much you cant even board proper with it and a really bad set of bindings, the total cost being like £199 or something. Please dont any buy boards like these, you will not progress far on one of these.

Also

Most people will tell you a Liquid Force Trip or Evo is an intermediate sort of board and a Substance is an advanced board. This is sort of correct but the advanced board (the substance) is actually better for beginners, intermediates, advanced whatever standard you aat.

Basically Shroom
Don't be affraid of getting an advanced board, there actually better for you. Try and get a board that can be ridden finless or with the fin, as you learn keep the fins on, then take them off as you progess to a better rider.

If you want to try some boards, I am sure you will beable to try a board of somekind at the new Ski Shack, which will be just South of Manchester. www.theskishack.co.uk
Hopefully it will be open early wakeboard season so its perfect.

[ghettoriverpimp]

sound advice from peanut

always look at a board that is a higher level than your riding.
this has a number of advantages.
1. It will help your riding develop quicker
2. It will last longer as you dont outride it so quick
3. It will save money in the long run as you dont keep buying new boards

[simon]

yeah go for the player, i got one about a year ago, when i was learning my first wake jumps, and never regreted it...

[Shroom]

Bum. The Player fell through. I've now got a chouce between 3 boards.

1. Liquid Force Balance

2. Liquid Force Team

3. O'Brien Demented


Please give me your advice. I'm not very decisive at the moment.

[UK_MILITIA]

i would go for the team, but also worth a look is a liquid force substance,