using a wakeboard?

odie · Since 08 Aug 2008 2 Posts bellevue, WA New Member

so im just getting into the sport and i was just wondering if i could save some 400 something dollars and just use my wakeboard? i have a nice wakeboard and boots and i personally dont see why not.

thanks.

pdxmonkeyboy · Sun Aug 24, 08 10:06 pm

your going to be much much happier on a kiteboard. yes, you can make a wakeboard work (certein ones anyways) but for reasons I don't wnsat to type out with a broken hand, its going to be difficult.

look for a used kiteboard locally. 2nd wind and gorge P. have some.

sorry, but the long and short of it is that kiteboarding is expensive.

Nak · Sun Aug 24, 08 10:09 pm

I haven't tried this myself, but I've heard it doesn't work out so well. You'll notice that kiteboards have a lot less rocker than wakeboards. A kiteboard has to handle underpowered conditions, something you shouldn't have a problem with wakeboarding. It's something you could try if you knew what you were doing already, but learning how to kite I think would not be much fun with a wakeboard.

Welcome to the forum!

stringer · Since 31 Jul 2007 694 Posts Chucktown Flying Tomato

The question has been asked before.
see http://nwkite.com/forums/t-8396.html

For just getting started you will probably be happier on a kiteboard.
Once the season is over you can find some sweet deals in the classifieds section.
Or hit up the shops for some closeout deals.

If you can go somewhere with alot of space to learn (downwind), i'd give the wakeboard a shot too.
If you enjoy yourself and can stay upwind, you're golden!

DROCK999 · Since 31 May 2007 852 Posts Left Coast Opinionated

This was my first question on this forum too and now with some experience I can pass my knowledge on to you. Wakeboards in general don't work very well for kiting. I have in the past used my wakeboard (liquid force team 139 incase you were wondering) before i got a kiteboard and one thing that was definitely true was how hard you have to stay on edge to barley make it upwind. so in terms of saving money just save yourself the trouble and search for a used kitboard. Also using boots as a beginer may not be the easiest thing to do as kite control is very key when getting boots on and footstraps are just easier to deal with.

tekko · Since 20 Feb 2006 376 Posts White Salmon Liquid Force

Went wakeboarding in Montana yesterday with the Georgetown Lake snowkite crew.

Never have the differences been so apparent to me.. while watching guys on their kiteboards try to ride behind the boat and across the wake.

Outside of many other things.. the major difference is rocker.

You need more rocker on a wakeboard, as you are always riding 'downwind' or towards the boat and up and over the wake.

Kiteboards have a much flatter rocker.. allowing kiters to edge better, against the kite and up wind.

on a kiteboard, you are riding the edge almost all of the time. One a wakeboard, you are riding flat most of the time.

You CAN ride a wakeboard.. just don't be frustrated when you can't go upwind.. the boards not meant for it.. BUT if you set up some downwind runs.. especially in the ocean (can always come in to beach safely downwind) you will have fun on the wakeboard.

I agree with those posted above.. pick up a used kiteboard.. or a LF Proof 151 ($299 new) from 2nd Wind or Gorge Performance- and that'll get you on the right track.

Inept_Fun · Since 14 Apr 2005 1417 Posts Hood River XTreme Poster

I only ride wakeboards behind the kite.
You can ride the slingshot response behind the kite, but most other wakeboards are hard to ride behind a kite. It is possible though.