| If you love to spend your vacation in the water and | | | | length of a wakerope is normally between 60 and 70 |
| you are the adventurous type, then wakeboarding is | | | | feet. They may be one-piece, which does not allow |
| just the sport for you. This board sport is relatively | | | | any length adjustments, or may come with |
| new but has gained popularity during the last few | | | | adjustment loops. A tighter and stiffer rope allows |
| years. | | | | little stretch and is used to perform air tricks. |
| In wakeboarding, a boat with a rope tows the rider. | | | | Wake boats nowadays come with wakeboard |
| The rider rides on a buoyant board, called a | | | | towers. Instead of the rope being mounted on the |
| wakeboard, and uses the wake to launch himself up | | | | back of the boat, the rope is mounted on a tower, |
| into the air and then back into the water. Though this | | | | which is normally 2 to 3 meters from the water level. |
| may sound simple, there are quite a few tricks and | | | | Wakeboard towers allow a better pull and stability |
| spins to learn before you can master the sport. | | | | and also enable a rider to gain more air height while |
| The essentials for wakeboarding are wakeboards and | | | | performing tricks. The towers also provide additional |
| wakeropes. Wakeboard length varies between 120 | | | | space for wakeboard racks, wakeboard speakers |
| and 150 centimeters and the wakeboard width is | | | | and lights. Fly High and Skylon are the more |
| between 40 and 45 centimeters. Beginners should | | | | established wakeboard tower manufacturers and the |
| begin with longer wakeboards with square edges or | | | | price ranges from $900 to more than $2000. |
| square rails. Square-edged boards are more stable | | | | Wakeboard accessories add color to the sport. |
| and easier to control, though round-edged boards are | | | | Wakeboard speakers may be attached to the |
| easier to land. Round edges also allow boards to | | | | towers and can be used to play music or to give |
| easily gain speed, providing quicker lifts during air | | | | instructions to the riders, especially beginners. |
| tricks. Krown, Hyperlite, Liquid Force and CWB are | | | | Waterproof covers are also available for the |
| specialized wakeboard manufacturers and their | | | | wakeboard speakers. If you want to flaunt your skills |
| wakeboards cost between $350 to $600. | | | | at night, then you can also add wakeboard lights. |
| Experienced wakeboard riders also take into | | | | Handles should be comfortable to hold on to and |
| consideration the rockers, fins, bindings and the | | | | most come with rubber padding. Beginners should also |
| design of the board. Bindings or boots provide a | | | | use wakeboard helmets for additional safety. |
| secure attachment to the boards and should provide | | | | Eye-catching wakeboard apparels are also available |
| a comfortable support for the heel and ankle. | | | | with wakeboard dealers. |
| Wakeboard ropes vary in elasticity and length. The | | | | |