The post Cody Hesse at Cable Nationals appeared first on Wakeboarding Mag.

Preference is king in the wakesurf category, more than in any other sport behind the boat. You can wakesurf on practically anything — seriously, you could even wakesurf on a door. Don’t believe us? Google it. Why then care about what board you ride, you ask? Well, if you’ve ever surfed a door, you’ll know that it’s just not as much fun. And that’s what it’s all about: having fun. Go test out a few shapes, find out what surf vibes you prefer, and get after it — heck, you may even find that you’d prefer an entire quiver of shapes to satisfy any craving. Happy surfing!

Byerly Buzz

4’8″, 5’2″

Designed to combine the best of both a skim- and surf-style ride, the Byerly Buzz is a fast, lively shape that’s easily maneuverable and quick from edge to edge. It’s constructed with a Dura-Shell and an EPS core to keep it durable yet buoyant and surfy underfoot. For 2015, Byerly also added a Future Fin System for limitless fin customization.

byerlywakeboards.com

MSRP: $565

CWB AMG

4’8″, 4’11”

The AMG’s carbon construction is light and rigid for an incredible response on the water. The FCS fins, perimeter shape and thin profile give the board a comfortable amount of drive at the wake without locking you in or bogging you down. Whether you’re airing out of the wake or just carving it up, the AMG won’t hold you back.

ridecwb.com

MSRP: $600

Hyperlite Quad

59″

The Quad is a surf-style shape with a customizable four-fin configuration designed underfoot of Santa Cruz native Mike Schwenne. Its versatile size can keep the bigger dudes afloat and add extra drive for smaller surf waves — but don’t underestimate its responsiveness. The Quad can still boost big airs and deliver genuine surf vibes to your whole crew.

hyperlite.com

MSRP: $675

Liquid Force Happy Pill

4′, 4’4″, 4’8″, 5’2″

Just what the doctor ordered! The Happy Pill is a short and stubby versatile surfer with a reconfigurable fin setup. It comes with three sets of fins and five fin blocks for tracking that’s completely customizable. The stubby tail of the board provides extra push at the wake, keeping the Happy Pill buoyant and maneuverable underfoot, with minimal drag.

liquidforce.com

MSRP: $580

O’Brien Tesani

4’3″, 4’8″, 5’4″

Like doing technical skim-style tricks, but don’t like the clunkiness of a skimboard? The O’Brien Tesani is a smooth, pintail skim-style shape with a surf-style construction. This makes it incredibly light and buoyant underfoot. The Tesani’s perimeter shape is nearly symmetric as well, so you won’t skip a beat when riding switch and getting techy with your tricks.

obrien.com

MSRP: $600

Ronix Carbon Powertail

4’5″, 4’11”

If you’re looking for a responsive, all-around surfer with a ton of drive, you’ve found it. The Carbon Powertail’s wide tail shape, combined with a fast rocker line, gives it a lot of push at the wake for big airs or effortless cruising. The carbon construction keeps it light, strong and incredibly responsive, while the concave top deck keeps sensitivity high underfoot.

ronixwake.com

MSRP: $730

Slingshot Skim Bender

52″, 56″

A great shape at a great price, the Skim Bender was designed with your whole crew in mind — a low-hassle easy rider that feels good underfoot. Its convenient size and flatter rocker let it fit in most board racks, settle comfortably into the pocket of the wave without the drag, and keep the buoyancy down during deepwater starts for first-timers.

slingshotsports.com

MSRP: $399

The post Gear – Roundup: Wakesurfers appeared first on Wakeboarding Mag.

Photo: Peter Vahlfridsson

If ankle support is a priority for you, then you’re in luck. We’ve selected some of our favorite supportive boots from the brands you love to make your shopping experience a breeze. These boots are not only designed to be more supportive for the structure of your foot, but they are also more responsive, making your movement translate directly to the board more accurately and without delay. That being said, this extra support makes the boot inherently stiffer. So there is a bit of a trade-off and a balance to be found between support and flexibility. But remember, less flexibility doesn’t always mean less comfort. Nowadays, this category has become so ergonomically advanced that even the most supportive boots have become undeniably comfortable. Choose wisely!

Byerly Shift

The Shift boot is a staple in the Byerly boot line. This thing is simple, tough and responsive. The Shift is a traditional, dual front-lace boot that features a new dual-density foot bed and a low-profile plate system to keep your foot supported while maintaining a sensitive foot-to-board feel. No wonder it is a favorite among the Byerly team.

byerlywakeboards.com

MSRP: $395

CWB MD

If you’ve ever seen Mike Dowdy ride, you’ll quickly understand why he favors a more responsive boot. Sitting as the tallest and stiffest boot in the CWB line, the MD features a high-cut cuff, deep heel pockets with Achilles pads for superior ankle support, an impact strap integrated into the laces for extra heel hold-down, and a cushioned inner liner for extra comfort right where you need it.

ridecwb.com

MSRP: $430

Hyperlite Marek

Rusty Malinoski’s pro-model boot, the Hyperlite Marek, is built to be tough, comfortable, high tech and supportive. The Marek boot features heat-moldable liners, EVA-lite outsoles, a traditional upper lace zone, and a Boa system in the lower zone. Combine the Marek boot with the Hyperlite System binding, and you’ve got one of the most supportive and responsive boots on the market.

hyperlite.com

MSRP: $375

Liquid Force Vantage CT

The Liquid Force Vantage CT is designed for the aggressive rider who wants extra support. The Vantage CT features an articulating cuff, a three-strap Velcro system for easy entry, and all the other goodies that come standard on high-end Liquid Force boots. It is currently ridden and loved by both Kevin Henshaw and Tom Fooshee behind the boat and at the cable. Need any more evidence than that? We didn’t think so.

liquidforce.com

MSRP: $400

O’Brien GTX

The O’Brien GTX is a medium- to stiff-flex boot that is incredibly supportive underfoot. The Chassis are canted at 2.5 degrees to ease stress on your legs, and the Power Arch built into the foot bed provides unmatched arch support on long sets and higher impact tricks. The GTX boots also come in both yellow and white colorways to match your setup — which we all know is a crucial part of the decision.

obrien.com

MSRP: $385

Ronix Code 55

Have you seen Dean Smith charge way into the flats? Of course you have. Sitting under Dean’s feet for 2015, the Code 55 boot is incredibly responsive and supportive, featuring Brainframe technology, heat-molded asymmetrical Intuition liners, Feetbelts, double-stuffed foot beds, and many other features designed to cut down on unnecessary bulk and increase performance.

ronixwake.com

MSRP: $530

Slingshot Shredtown

The Shredtown boots have been a big hit since they first hit the market — and for good reason. The removable inner liners keep you protected from whatever rough terrain you might encounter, and the Velcro straps are now stronger, thinner and more flexible for 2015. If you ride cable and haven’t checked out these babies in person, you don’t know what you’re missing.

slingshotsports.com

MSRP: $449

The post Gear — Roundup: Supportive Boots appeared first on Wakeboarding Mag.

1. Byerly – AR1

$500

byerlywakeboards.com

2. JetPilot – Aaron Rathy Signature Vest

$130

jetpilot.com

3. JetPilot – A-Tron 2mm Spring Suit

$135

jetpilot.com

4. Oakley – Hybrid Walking/Boardshort

$60

Oakley.com

6. CTI Custom Kneebrace

Prices Vary

CTIkneebraces.co.uk

7. Byerly – A-Line Rope and Chamois Handle

$124 + 60

byerlywakeboards.com

8. Helicopter Man Rotating Head Cam Mount

Prices Vary… or grab this one on ebay for $90

ebay.com

7. Armor Skin – Compression Leg Sleeve

The post Aaron Rathy – Rider Set-Ups appeared first on Wakeboarding Mag.

Looking for a board that excels behind the boat? We’ve got you covered. Since so much emphasis is being placed on cable-friendly boards nowadays, we decided to shake things up a bit and cater to the boat rider for this Roundup. Our list covers every end of the boat-board spectrum: stiff, flexible, foam cores, wood cores, molded fins, bolt-on fins, speed, rocker and so on. And remember, board selection is all based on your personal preferences. There isn’t a bad apple in the bunch, but be aware that you might prefer a Fuji to a Granny Smith. Choose wisely!

Byerly AR-1

53, 55 in.

Aaron Rathy’s pro model, the AR-1 is pretty high-tech and loaded with features — everything from the Strata Track to the Energy Ring sidewall, to the Aero Core and the Cross Link construction. This board has it all. Factor the continuous rocker and squared-up tip and tail into the mix, and you get a hard-charging board with explosive pop at the wake.

byerlywakeboards.com

MSRP: $555

CWB Dowdy

136, 142 cm

Mike Dowdy’s pro-model CWB board features a center spine for soft landings, lots of rocker for an abrupt pop at the wake, a carbon X pattern underfoot for extra strength and rigidity, and stepped molded-in fins to help the board release quickly and easily without losing traction. If you want to look and ride like Mike, the CWB Dowdy is a no-brainer.

ridecwb.com

MSRP: $430

Hyperlite Kruz Bio

134, 139, 144 cm

The Hyperlite Kruz is a high-performance shape that features carbon torsion zones for lightweight rigidity; a healthy amount of rocker for lots of controlled, consistent pop at the wake without sacrificing speed; and the Strata Track mounting system for infinite adjustment. We expected nothing less out of Rusty Malinoski’s 2015 pro-model board.

hyperlite.com

MSRP: $555

Liquid Force Remedy

134, 138, 142 cm

Harley Clifford’s all-new 2015 pro model, the Remedy features a healthy amount of rocker for extra pop at the wake without sacrificing speed, thin profile rails for more responsive edging, a split tip and tail shape for a more sensitive feel underfoot, and more. Take a look at any of Harley’s contest rankings lately, and you’ll see how well the Remedy performs.

liquidforce.com

MSRP: $450

O’Brien Bruce

132, 137, 142 cm

Jeff Langley’s pro model, the Bruce features a stiff belly with a subtle amount of flex in the tips, a unique five-stage rocker line, stepped delta channels in the tips, and an incredibly durable construction. These features make the board pop hard, release quickly, land soft, and, most of all, reduce unwanted drag for loads of speed both on and off edge.

obrien.com

MSRP: $600

Ronix William

130, 135, 140, 145 cm

The William is Adam Errington’s pro-model boat board for 2015. On the water, this shape is simple, fast, responsive and lively underfoot. The guts of the William feature Ronix’s Intelligent core, blending the benefits of different woods, foams and fibers to create a responsive, lightweight, high-performance core with a razor-thin profile — pretty impressive.

ronixwake.com

MSRP: $630

Slingshot Response

137, 142, 145 cm

The Response is a smooth-riding flex board with a less-is-more attitude that’s built for the wake. The features include a continuous rocker, a medium flex pattern for a lively feel at takeoff and extra forgiving landings, an all-wood core to keep it lively, a durable construction, and all of the other high-quality components consistent in Slingshot’s 2015 line.

slingshotsports.com

MSRP: $419

The post Gear | Roundup: Boat Boards appeared first on Wakeboarding Mag.

Most boards these days are built to withstand the beating that they will inevitably receive when riding on anything besides water. So, the main things to look for when you’re in the market for a park board are the flex and rocker. The flex pattern is based mainly on personal preference no matter how you look at it, and more rocker means deeper presses but slower glide speed, and vice versa. In reality, it all boils down to how comfortable it feels underfoot — oh, and killer graphics, of course.

Byerly Felix | 51, 54, 56 in.

If you didn’t see Cody Hesse ride the Byerly Felix in the product video, head over to our site right now and check it out. If this board can perform anything like that when a normal human rides it, then we’re sold. The Felix features a continuous rocker, a thinner flex-specific design, carbon-composite construction, and a full-perimeter energy-ring sidewall. This is a durable, agile flex-friendly board designed to feel right at home in the park.

byerlywakeboards.com | MSRP: $450 (51 in.)** / $565** (54, 56 in.)

CWB Woodro | 140, 146 cm

The CWB Woodro features an all-wood core, ABS sidewalls, soft-flex pattern, and a healthy amount of rocker to keep the board durable yet lively in the park. The subtle recessed edge channels provide added traction on the water while remaining catch-free on rails. The unique 8-up insert-pattern option, designed to work with the CWB Prizm boot, keeps the mounting hardware underfoot, allowing the board to flex naturally without the limitations of a wide base plate.

ridecwb.com | MSRP: $480

Hyperlite PBJ | 133, 138, 143 cm

The Hyperlite PBJ, or “Park Board for Jibbing,” as we like to call it, is a brand-new shape for 2015. It’s everything you need in a board that can take a beating in the park. The continuous rocker and featureless base make it smooth and fast on rails, the full-perimeter ABS sidewall keeps it durable, and the wood core gives it a lively personality underfoot. If you’re looking for a simple shape to keep the good vibes flowing, then the PBJ is your jam!

hyperlite.com | MSRP: $450

Liquid Force Raph | 135, 139, 143 cm

Have you seen Raph Derome ride lately? It’s no surprise that he demands only the highest quality and performance out of his park board. The core of the Raph features three wood stringers that are strategically thinned out for a lively, strong and yet flexible feel underfoot. The base features subtle edge channels that stay catch-free on rails with slightly dished-out tips for stability on pipe rails. At no point did Liquid Force compromise here; this is the real deal.

liquidforce.com | MSRP: $530

O’Brien Breddas | 133, 138, 143cm

Brand new for 2015, the O’Brien Breddas is pro model to the Hoppe brothers, Benjamin, Mattias and Jeremiah Hoppe, and is a cable-park favorite among the team — and for good reason. The Breddas features an all-wood core, incredibly durable edges and base material, a unique rocker aimed at enhancing your presses, and a thinned-out profile to keep it light and lively underfoot. This is one you’ve got to see in person to fully appreciate.

obrien.com | MSRP: $640

Ronix Kinetik Project | Small, Standard

The Kinetik Project is a pretty unique park board. There are some features Ronix added here that you just won’t see anywhere else. From the snowboard inspired turned-up tips, to the recessed edge channels that run the length of the board, and more. The most interesting feature, however, is the core. Ronix laid the wood at different angles and shapes to give the flex pattern the right response in strategic sections underfoot. Pretty impressive.

ronixwake.com | MSRP: $610

Slingshot Terrain | 136, 140, 144 cm

Brand new for 2015, the Slingshot Terrain is by far the softest flex wakeboard that Slingshot has ever put to market. The Terrain was built exclusively for the park and aimed at helping you press deeper on rails while remaining genuinely playful underfoot. Additionally, it comes completely finless — encouraging proper edging techniques right off the bat. So if you are new to the cable or just want to take full advantage of the flex capabilities, the Slingshot Terrain might be your ticket.

slingshotsports.com | MSRP: $419

The post Round Up – Park Boards appeared first on Wakeboarding Mag.

Soft Flex Boots

If your feet aren’t happy, then you probably won’t be either. Your boots just might be the most important part of your setup, so it’s important that you do some research to get it right. Some riders prefer boots with extra support, while others like boots that have a softer flex, favoring mobility. This mobility frees up the rider to poke out grabs and style out tricks with ease. If flex and mobility is a priority for you, then you’re in luck. Feast your eyes on our soft-flex boot lineup, and pick out a pair.

Byerly System Boot

Designed to meet the needs of the Byerly Team, the System Boot has a moderate amount of flex for a happy medium between support and mobility. Constructed with high-quality materials, the System Boot features a heat-moldable liner, a lightweight EVA outsole with heel-impact inserts, custom memory-foam insoles, and a traditional lacing system with integrated heel hold, and an extra set of alternate color laces to customize your look and fit.

byerlywakeboards.com | MSRP: $350

CWB JT

Have you ever seen Josh Twelker poke a grab? No wonder the JTs have been the most popular boot in the CWB line for years. These things have all the lateral flex you can ask for, with high performance toe to heel response to back it up. The JT features low-profile infinity plates underfoot, a dual-lacing system with an integrated impact heel strap, a deep heel pocket with built-in Achilles pads, and a mesh panel construction for reduced weight.

ridecwb.com | MSRP: $350

Hyperlite Webb

JD Webb’s pro-model boots and the word “comfortable” have been synonymous for years — with 2015 being no exception. JD’s boot philosophy is that the support should come from the System Binding itself, allowing the boot to remain comfortable and flexible. The Webb boot features a lightweight EVA outsole with impact pods for a thin, potent cushion underfoot, a traditional front-lacing system with integrated heel retention, heat-moldable liners, and a lower-cut cuff for maximum comfort and mobility.

hyperlite.com | MSRP: $315

Liquid Force TAO

Sometimes, simplicity is key — especially when it comes to flexible boots. Daniel Grant’s pro-model boot, the TAO, features a unique linerless construction. There is no separate inner liner or outer shell. They are built into one durable integrated upper. This cuts down on weight, price, and allows for more comfort and mobility while riding. The TAO also comes standard on Liquid Force’s IPX chassis system and 3-D molded EVA footbed.

liquidforce.com | MSRP: $300

O’Brien Nomad

There are two main features that set the O’Brien Nomad apart: a soft, flexible fit and a secure, supportive foot to board connection. The single-panel upper keeps the construction simple and the flex pattern soft, while the dual-lace zones with integrated TPU ankle straps and a Power Arch built into the footbeds. These features create a secure, customizable fit with reduced heel lift and extra arch support. They are also available in three colorways: red, white and blue.

obrien.com | MSRP: $360

Ronix Parks (Chameleon Volcano)

The Parks boot is pretty impressive. Between the Brainframe Technology, asymmetrical Intuition liners, low-cut articulating cuff, Feetbelts, an alternate colorway, Double Stuff footbeds and more, there isn’t a part of this boot that doesn’t have a specific purpose. One feature of particular interest is the fully perforated inner liners. Not only does this make them more flexible, but it also allows them to air-dry rapidly and cuts down on overall weight. Ronix really thought this one through.

ronixwake.com | MSRP: $530

Slingshot RAD

The RAD boot is a favorite among the Slingshot team, designed to blend high-end comfort and performance both behind the boat and at the cable park. The features include a bottomless base, a moldable liner with a 3-D molded, seamless tongue, built-in J-bars, and more. The RAD also includes a dual-zone closure system, placing laces in the lower zone and a Velcro strap in the upper, blending the benefits of both laces and Velcro where you need them most.

slingshotsports.com | MSRP: $449

The post Round Up | Soft Flex Boots appeared first on Wakeboarding Mag.

Ride with Confidence

Your summer is quickly approaching, and we know how much you’re champing at the bit to get back on the water. We want that as much as you do, but before you go gallivanting to the nearest waterway as soon as the ice melts, let’s discuss some off-season training principles that will help you get in shape physically and mentally. This way we can quickly and safely get your bag of tricks back to where it was at the end of last season — or better.

We’ve divided up this instruction into three sections: injury recovery, injury prevention and how to start riding again after a long off-season. In each section, we’ve hand-picked a few pro riders who bring a specific expertise to the table: Mike Dowdy, having just successfully recovered from an injury; Kyle Rattray, co-owner and trainer at Clermont CrossFit; and Shawn Watson, bringing 20 seasons of experience with him. It’s hard not to learn something with a lineup like this.

Admittedly, any training outside of wakeboarding does take effort and planning — so, one might ask, is it worth it? If you’ve never tried, then you don’t know what you’re missing. Being in shape mentally and physically sets you up for success on the water in a number of ways: You’re less prone to injury, you feel lighter on your feet, don’t tire as easily and, most of all, you’re more confident. This confidence is the key for consistency, learning new tricks, and increasing your style. After all, confidence and style are inseparably connected. Think about it for a minute: Have you ever seen a really stylish trick that was performed timidly? We didn’t think so.

Injury Recovery with Mike Dowdy

Early last year, Mike Dowdy tore his anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) on his left knee. After a thorough recovery, he’s back riding strong again. We caught up with Dowdy to get some insight on recovering from a significant injury like this.

Aside from the obvious physical recovery, there can also be some unanticipated emotional barriers to overcome. It’s important to have short-term and long-term goals to keep you positive through it all. “The day I got injured was pretty dark. I didn’t want to see or talk to anyone and was pretty emotional.” Dowdy recalls. “After surgery and for the first few months, I was pretty bored at home. There wasn’t much I could really do. The hardest part for me was watching all the other riders while I was just lying in bed. At first I kept looking at it as a burden to have been injured, but now I see it differently. It helped me get strong physically and mentally. I think what helped the most was having something specific to work on every day to help me progress.”

This is where the direction from your doctors comes into play. There’s a lot more to a recovery than merely the absence of pain. Dowdy says: “I learned a lot from all the doctors in my inner circle. They taught me a ton about the way the body works, what to eat, what not to eat, and what stretches and warm-ups to do.”

Relying on the expertise of a physical therapist can make all the difference in your recovery. Each injury affects a specific area that can be targeted with the right type of exercises. Dowdy says: “The exercise that helped me the most are called ‘step-ups,” which are basically how they sound. I would hold a 25- or 30-pound dumbbell in my hands, place one foot up on a box or bench, one on the floor, and then step all the way up and back down. I’d do 10 or 15 reps three times, and then switch legs. I’ve done this exercise nearly every day since my injury. It really got my quads firing, and it played a huge role in getting me back to normal function.”

Injury Prevention with Kyle Rattray

It’s pretty obvious that most on-the-water injuries occur during the landing impact. Most of us chalk it up to a mistake made at takeoff, but what if there was something that you could do off the water to prevent some of these landing injuries? We brought Kyle Rattray in to enlighten us on the subject. Referring to these unnecessarily rough landings, Kyle says: “I feel that it is due to the rider’s inability to decelerate and absorb impact properly. So many people absorb impact by hinging at the hip, keeping their legs stiff, and diving their chest forward. Not absorbing impact properly, I feel, directly results in a lot of knee, hip and lower-back injuries.”

INCORRECT: 

CORRECT: 

Don’t worry — there’s a simple off-the-water solution to correct this bad habit. Kyle suggests perfecting your “air squat”: a similar motion to a front squat in the gym but without the risk of load bearing. “To perform a proper air squat, you should be able to start from a standing position (riding or pre-landing position, feet shoulder-width apart), descend to the bottom of your squat with both feet flat on the floor, your weight distributed from the ball of your foot back through your heel (should be able to wiggle your toes in the bottom of your squat), your knees should track and be in line with your toes, and maintain an as-vertical-as-possible torso while maintaining your lumbar curve (keeping your chest up, not rounding your back).”

Now that you know the correct position, let’s talk about how it transitions to the water. “This air-squat movement should be the exact same movement you use to land on your board.” says Kyle. “Landing this way will help make your landings feel softer, and put you in a safe position to take impact and receive load. It will put your body in a great position to ride away from your tricks. Not only will landing in this way will help keep you injury-free, but your landings will become more consistent too.”

Start Smart with Shawn Watson

Let’s be honest here, we all know that it’s going to take some time to get your sea legs back after a long, cold landlocked off-season. To help you get your tricks back quickly and safely, we’ve teamed up with Shawn Watson to guide you through this process.

Most of all, don’t rush back into your hard tricks right away. Have a plan and ease into it. “I didn’t listen to my elders as a kid, and now wish that I had,” says Watson. “I’ve had two serious knee injuries in which both happened at the start of my set with no warm-up prior to my ride. Looking back, had I listened and had a legit pre-ride warm-up, I could’ve prevented a lot of injuries.”

So how do you warm up? The answer is simple. Start off small and incremental. You can even start out with some basic carves and ollies, then do them switch — it all depends on what level you’re at. Watson says: “I typically starting off with simple grabs, 180s, and some basic spins and flips. You want to make sure that you’re confident and in control edging into the wake so you’ve got your timing down.”

Once you’ve warmed up, take a moment to make sure that all of the separate pieces of your harder tricks work individually before you put them all together. “Before going straight into an indy tantrum to blind, for example, I’d take a few steps to get the basics dialed,” says Watson. “First I’d make sure I was fully comfortable with my indy tantrum and landing it with ease, then I’d build up my heelside backside 180s. I’d start with a few inside out — ollieing early from inside the wakes and landing down the face of the wake, then take it wake to wake, and then add an indy grab to it. Once I feel comfortable with that, I’d move onto the indy tantrum to blind, and incorporate all of the above into one.”

This principle can be applied to any trick you’d like to recover. Armed with this knowledge, you should start progressing even earlier in the season, setting you up for the best summer ever.

The post Training in the Offseason appeared first on Wakeboarding Mag.

This category is exciting for a number of reasons. First of all, it’s our first roundup for the year, and for many of you, it’s your first time laying eyes on these brand-new shapes. It’s hard not to take a moment to drool over the hot new information now at your fingertips. Second, each shape itself goes through a rigorous testing process before it’s brought to market. The individuals who perfected this gear bring a wealth of knowledge about what a board should feel like under your feet, and the manufacturing know-how to make that concept a reality. And finally, the anticipation of getting to ride one of these in the approaching season is off the charts. It’s funny how each board has its own personality. Matching that with your riding style is key for maximizing your on-the-water enjoyment. Because who knows? Your favorite board of all time might be in this lineup. Think about it.

Byerly Buck | 54.5, 56.5 in.

The Byerly Buck is a completely new addition to the Byerly line for 2015. There are a few features that set this board apart. First, the fiberglass-rope construction adds strength and rigidity to the perimeter, allowing for a thinner overall profile with less swing weight and exceptional strength. Additionally, the continuous rocker keeps it fast and consistent, while the wide tip and tail give this board a hefty dose of pop at the wake.

byerlywakeboards.com | MSRP: $375

CWB The Standard | 139, 143 cm

Josh Twelker has been heard saying that this is the best board he’s ever ridden. After reading up on the board’s features, we might know why. A heavy dose of continuous rocker, combined with a wide square tip and tail, gives this board a consistent kick with a lot of push at the wake. The Standard also has a thin profile that adds a small amount of tip flex to dampen your landings, while the variable edge keeps your rails catch-free, making this board very user-friendly.

ridecwb.com | MSRP: $400

Hyperlite Baseline | 131, 136, 141 cm

The Baseline was specifically designed from head to toe for progression by the one-and-only Shaun Murray. This board has it all: a variable edge, wider profile, continuous rocker and more. One of our favorite features in particular is the extra integrated fin holes, which allow the rider to adjust the distance each fin is from the end of the board, affecting how tight or loose the board tracks, and how quickly it releases off the wake.

hyperlite.com | MSRP: $375

Liquid Force RDX | 134, 138, 142 cm

Raph Derome has come out with some pretty impressive end-of-season edits over the past few years. All of which have insane park and boat riding in them. It only makes sense that everything in his quiver should have his name and stamp of approval on it. Raph’s pro-model boat board for 2015, the RDX, features molded-in fins for playful traction, a progressive three-stage rocker for a nice kick at the wake, and low-volume rails for added control on edge.

liquidforce.com | MSRP: $430

O’Brien CTP | 129, 135, 141 cm

Cory Teunissen had a breakthrough year in 2014, to say the least. It’s no wonder O’Brien rewarded him with his first pro model, Cory Teunissen Project, or CTP, for short. With a heavy influence from his previous board, the CTP features strategic carbon-fiber elements to make this board stiff yet snappy at the wake, while the stepped delta channels on the base decrease drag and make the board feel faster on the water.

obrien.com | MSRP: $450

Ronix One ATR with Carbon | 134, 138, 142, 146 cm

Danny Harf’s pro model got quite the face-lift for 2015. The construction is completely different from years past, making it lighter, thinner, faster and more durable than ever. The ATR with Carbon is the midflex option in the One Collection, combining soft landings with snappy, responsive takeoffs. In the park or behind the boat, this quiver-killer will provide you with a unique pro-level performance that you won’t find anywhere else.

ronixwake.com | MSRP: $530

Slingshot Nomad | 150, 155, 160 cm

You’ve probably heard of the Nomad by now, but if you haven’t ridden this thing yet, then you don’t know what you’re missing. Riding a board in this size range is a liberating feeling. For first-timers and bigger riders especially, the increase in surface area combined with the soft flex pattern makes the Nomad glide effortlessly across the water, pop hard, and land absurdly soft. Why not bring long-board vibes to the wake?

slingshotsports.com | MSRP: $419

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