There are a lot of factors to consider in choosing the correct wakesurfer. The first is to decide the type of surfing you like to do. Do you want to go out and just carve and slaysh, or pop shuv its? Keeping your body type in mind, as well as the buoyancy of the surfer, is very important since you’ll be riding at such low speeds. If it’s a board that will be used by all of your friends, keep that in mind as well. All you need to know should be below; then have happy hunting on the following pages.
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Surf-Style Boards
Surf-style boards designed for riding behind the boat are thicker, have much larger fins, and are usually constructed similar to the way a traditional surfboard is. These boards are made for deep carves and slashing the wave with more of a surfboard style because of the way they track. Since these boards are usually thicker and a little bigger, they are great for heavier riders. And they are fast boards, so they stay in smaller waves, and are good for beginners.
Skim-Style Boards
These boards are thinner, have smaller fins, and tend to be better for advanced surfers who want a looser ride with the ability to do shuv-it tricks. The construction is closer to a skim board, and they are typically slower than a surf-style board. They can be good for lighter-weight beginners because they won’t shoot right toward the back of the boat.
Hybrid Boards
We’ve been seeing more and more of these hybrid-style boards as of late. They are basically larger forms of the skim-style-construction boards that allow for more of a surf-style vibe since they are faster and have more volume for larger riders.
Rocker
The rocker on a wakesurfer is the characteristic of the bottom profile shape of the board, and it determines the speed the board will ride. A flat rocker shape allows for less drag and a faster ride, while boards with more rocker tend to push more water and ride slower, but they dig down into the water a little more for more maneuverability.
Rails
These are the edges of the board, and these determine how it tracks and turns in the wave. Rounder rails means a slower board with less response; a board with sharper rails means it has a ton of response and a faster speed.
