What is wakeskating?
Before wakeboarding, there was wakeskating. Seriously! Wakeskating is somewhere in between wakeboarding and skateboarding. Riders use wood or composite wakeskates and ride behind the boat at a similar distance to wakeboarding. Similar to a skateboard you are not attached to your wakeskate.
Wakeskates features are similar to wakeboards. Read on to learn more about wakeskate rocker, materials, edges and deck shapes.
Rocker
Continuous Rocker (smooth, continuous arch)
A continuous rocker has one smooth, fluid, curved shape. Continuous rockers provide fast, smooth rides and allow you to hook up turns more easily. You can generate a lot of speed on a continuous rocker wakeskate. This speed will shoot you farther out into the flats with a very predictable pop (height) when you hit the wake. Continuous rocker wakeskates are great for carving, especially on those glassy-smooth mornings.
3-Stage Rocker (angled with a flat spot)
A wakeskate with a 3-stage rocker features three distinct planes on the bottom of the board. A 3-stage rocker causes your wakeskate to respond with more pop (height) when you hit the wake. With more dramatic rocker your wakeskate feels looser or slippery on the water surface. In addition, the shape of the board causes it to plow rather than cut through the water, making it slower. Your fins become less effective and you must rely more on edging the board. Boards with 3-stage rocker have a flat spot which makes the impact of landings intense and gives a slight sluggish feeling after landing.
Hybrid Rocker (a combination of continuous and 3-stage)
Living somewhere between a continuous and 3-stage rocker, the hybrid rocker features a blend of continuous and three-stage rockers. Some hybrid rockers include: Blended 3-stage, Continuous Hybrid, Progressive, Subtle three-stage
Deck Shape
Variable Edges
Wakeskates with variable edges have rounder rails in the middle and sharper on the edges to allow forgiveness on rails and lip tricks, while simultaneously providing sharp edges for cutting into the wake.
Concave Decks
Concave decks are curved or rounded somewhat like the inside of a bowl. Concave wakeskates provide you with more pop, as well as, enhanced control and ability to do skateboard-style tricks.
Bi Level Decks
As with most things involving the prefix "bi," (bicycles, binoculars, bipedals) a "bi level" wakeskate refers to skate consisting of two parts. The bottom deck is shaped and constructed the same as most regular ol' wakeskates, the difference being that it is attached to a separate, super cool top portion. This top portion, rather than following the curve of the bottom deck, is shaped more like a skateboard deck and the only contact points with the bottom deck are found at the attachment points that hold it all together. The attachments points are placed where the tip and tail start their upward curve from the straighter middle section of the top sheet. What does this design accomplish?
The sharper angles and increased flex of the top board produce greater acceleration out of the water during ollies, causing the wakeskate to stick to your feet in a way that much more closely models the feel of skateboarding than do traditional wakeskates.
Materials
Wood
Wood is often used to make wakeskates. The wood wakeskates are glassed over with a marine grade epoxy that gives the wakeskate a lively feel, more of a skateboard-esque feel. Wood wakeskates are less durable than their composite counterparts because the wood does not like water. Often times manufacturers do not warranty wood wakeskates.
Composite
Composite wakeskates give riders more of a wakeboard feel. Composite wakeskates last longer then their wooden counterparts.
Choosing a Size
Your weight is the main factor in determining the size wakeskate you should choose. General wakeskate length guidelines are located below. Look at specific sizing charts for all wakeskates on their individual product detail pages.
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Wakeskate size (in)
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Rider weight (lbs)
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39” - 41”
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120-180
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42” – 43”
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150-220
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44” – 46”
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180+
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The shorter the wakeskate, the more maneuverable it is. Shorter wakeskates make skateboard-esque flip tricks easier. Longer wakeskates allow you to stay on a plane at slower speeds.
If your wakeskate will be used by multiple riders of different sizes you should go with a size based on the largest rider’s weight. You will be better off with a wakeskate that is a little longer versus one that is too short.
Fins
Fins help your wakeskate track through the water. Deeper, larger fins create a more stable ride and give you less ability to break the board free for surface tricks… actually, any tricks. Beginning riders often benefit from longer, deeper fins when they start riding. Fins can be removed if you prefer a looser ride.
Wakeskate Deck Surface
Grip Tape vs. Foam
The top surface of the wakeskate is either covered with grip tape similar to a skateboard or a soft, high-traction, EVA pad. If you prefer to ride barefoot, go with foam. If you wear wakeskating shoes, the grip tape gives you a stable platform for ultimate control, just like a skateboard.
Shop Wakeskates
Wakeskate Shoes
Do you need them? No, you can wear your normal shoes. Are wakeskate shoes awesome? Yes. Why are they so great? Well, wakeskates are heavy and when you start throwing kickflips and pop shuvit’s, your toes get a little scared. Wakeskate shoes keep your precious tootsies protected from being jammed and broken by your wakeskate.
Specific wakeskate shoes feature high traction soles, quick drying materials and special drainage channels so they don’t became soggy and weighed down like your everyday sneakers do in the water. You need to wear shoes on grip tape wakeskates unless your feet are tougher than nails.
Shop Wakeskate Shoes
Learn more with our other wake guides below:
How to Choose a Wakeboard & Wakeboard Size Chart
How to Choose a Wakeboard Boot & Bindings Size Guide
How to Choose a Wake Vest (Life Jacket) & Size Guide
How to Choose Ropes, Handles & Size Guide
How to Choose a Wakesurfer & Wakesurfer Size Guide
Compatibility info for wakeboards and boots
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