A question often asked is: What is the difference between a wakeboard used at a cable park and one used to ride while towed behind a boat? 

Naturally advanced riders can make any board work in a given set of circumstances. And different riders often have different definitions of what is, “right.” That said, check out this comparison of wakeboards. It may help guide your next wakeboard purchase. 

The main difference between a cable wakeboard and a boat wakeboard lies in their design, which is optimized for the different pulling methods (cable systems vs. boats) and the types of obstacles encountered.

Here’s a breakdown of the key differences:

Base and Construction

Cable Wakeboards

• Built with durable, grind-friendly bases (often called sintered or P-Tex bases) to withstand contact with obstacles like rails and kickers in cable parks.
• Typically feature reinforced sidewalls to endure more impacts.

Boat Wakeboards

• Designed for use behind a boat, with less need for impact resistance from obstacles.
• Usually have glossier bases optimized for speed and glide on the water rather than durability.

Rocker Type

Cable Boards

• Often have a continuous or hybrid rocker for smoother, more predictable performance on obstacles and in the park.

Boat Boards

• Tend to have a 3-stage rocker, which gives a more aggressive pop off the wake (since boat wakeboarding focuses more on air tricks off the wake).

Flex

Cable Boards

• Usually have more flex, especially in the tips, to aid with presses on rails and soften landings.

Boat Boards

• Typically stiffer, providing better edge control and pop off the wake.

Read Next: Cable Wake Parks – The Best Infomercial Ever

Fins and Channels

Cable Boards

• Have minimal or removable fins, and often flatter channels, to avoid getting caught on rails and other features.

Boat Boards

• Use deeper fins and aggressive channels for better tracking and edge hold at higher boat speeds.

In Summary

The post Cable Park Wakeboard vs. Boat Wakeboard appeared first on Wakeboarding Mag.

| |Liquid Force | liquidforce.com 2009 highlights: Lyman F.L.Y. wakeboard and Watson LTD boot Based on a rough, unofficial count, LF just beat out Ronix for the title of “board brand with the most new stuff.” Shawn Watson (Watson), Shane Bonifay (Shane), Phillip Soven (S4) and Collin Harrington (Groove) all have new pro models. There was a new hybrid version of their flex boards with a stiffer middle designed to perform better off the wake, and there was even a board – the Witness Grind – designed specifically for cable riders. But the title of coolest new LF product came down to two – the new F.L.Y. series construction and the new air footbed. Each board in the new F.L.Y. series, which is available in four shapes — Lyman, S4, Shane and Watson — weighs in at less than six pounds thanks to a brand-new construction process and stringer system. The new air footbed, which reduces weight while providing a ton of cushioning, is available this year only in LF’s limited-edition boots, which usually come out in late March or early April. We’re told though that LF plans to roll out the new airbed to several more styles in its 2010 line.| |

| |Ronix | ronixwake.com 2009 highlights: One wakeboard and boot Ronix reinvented its entire boot collection for ’09, moving to a baseless design that has made every boot a third lighter and a third lower. The new shock-absorbing footbed is the only thing that now separates your feet from your board, so boot-to-board response is better than ever. Danny Harf’s best-selling One wakeboard and Chad Sharpe’s new Viva are just two of several new boards. Ronix also released it’s second generation of super-light Dark Core boards in the shapes of Harf’s, Sharpe’s and Parks Bonifay’s pro models (the DHV2, CSV2 and PBV2, respectively.)  | |

| |Hyperlite | hyperlite.com 2009 highlight: Roam flex board Hyperlite evolved its line so much last season we figured they might just take ’09 off. Not so. The company has issued new or redesigned product in every category. Two-time Wakeboarder of the Year Rusty Malinoski’s Marek pro model wakeboard definitely leads the way, but perhaps the most interesting new item is the reinvented Roam. Wake’s original flex board has shaken off its snowboard-style shape in favor off a wider and blunter profile intended to increase its speed and edge responsiveness. It also features Hyperlite’s new Enduro base. Don’t know about you, but we can’t wait to try this one.| |

| |CWB | ridecwb.com 2009 highlight: Onset wakeskate We introduced the new Onset, CWB’s first pro-level wakeskate, back in the July issue, but Expo was the first time we got our hands on the 100-percent finished skate. We were impressed. The rubber that sandwiches the board’s top and bottom deck seems tough and resilient, and it doesn’t hurt that the dude who has been riding the Onset (that’d be Stuart Shinn) won Wakeskate Move of The Year at our 2008 Wake Awards Friday night of Expo. CWB also introduced a new Transcend, Andrew Adkison’s recently redesigned pro model wakeboard, and a slew of new easy-entry men’s and women’s Hinge Tech bindings.  | |

| |Byerly | byerlyboards.com 2009 highlight: Blend wakeskate**** After a lengthy interview with Byerly shaper Scott “Butch” Bouchard for a feature in the December issue, we could tell you a lot more about the all-new, super-strong Assault series wakeboard than we can about the new Blend. But this is Byerly, after all, so we had to show you the wakeskate. While we don’t know much, we can tell you that the name is a nod to the board’s one-part-wood-one-part-composite construction. In addition to the Assault and Blend, Byerly also debuted a new boot that allows you to adjust your forward lean on the fly.| |

| |Gator Boards | gatorboards.com 2009 highlight: Doyle wakeskate The photo that accompanied the new Doyle wakeskate in the 2009 Gator Boards brochure provided one of our best chuckles of Expo weekend. It’s of the skate’s namesake Ryan Doyle throwing a 3 shove with a samurai sword clutched firmly in his left-hand — an apparent nod to the board’s Hero Quest-style graphics. Unadvisable on so many levels, but you have to respect the man’s commitment to theme. GB also introduced a new all-wood, bi-level wakeskate called the Sylvan, four new women’s wakeboards, and five new closed-toe boots.| |

| |O’Brien | obrien.com 2009 highlights: Decade board and boot The brand-new Decade is Daniel Watkins’ third-generation pro model wakeboard and represents almost 10 years of collaborative wakeboard development. The Decade builds on the advancements made in Watkins’ first two pro models, the Player and the Natural. This one features a wider profile from nose to tail, O’Brien’s next-generation DETLA base, refined molded in fins, and the biggest rolled edge in the company’s line. In addition to the Decade, O’Brien has a whole slate of new boots for 2009 as well as two new wakesurf boards, two new wakeskates, and a brand-new bamboo construction of their Traffic skate.| |

| |Company | companywake.com 2009 highlight: Recruit wakeboard**** Though we’d already done a couple of interviews with Justin Stephens about his new board brand and have been checking in on the blog at companywake.com pretty frequently, we still weren’t sure what to expect from Company’s debut at Expo. Well, the suspense is over, and the first offering looks great. Design is definitely one of Company’s strengths, and the clean, red-and-black graphics of the Recruit are just classic. Company also introduced a second shape called the Severance, which features the same flex-style construction as the Recruit. We didn’t get a chance to check out Company’s new boots, but you’ll be the first to know when we do.| |

| |JStar | jstarwake.com 2009 highlight: Lidberg wakeboard Once tough to find in the States, JStar is set to have a much larger presence in the U.S. in 2009. Team rider Ike Eisenhauer flew over from Australia for Expo and took out some time to walk us through the new line. Almost everything was new or redesigned for JStar’s stateside push, including pro model boards and boots from Eisenhauer, Keith Lidberg, Jeff Weatherall and Jack Blodgett. | |

| |Slingshot | slingshotwake.com 2009 highlight: D3 boot Slingshot had a little Pantone problem with its Expo samples, so they didn’t want us training a lens on their new gear until it was perfect. Even with the color snafu, though, Slingshot’s ’09 line looks dope. Take for example the dressed-up style of the new D3 boot, which is the third generation of Slingshot’s original Driver boot. This taller, stiffer boot features the company’s new Speed Pull lacing system and Firm Flex tongue, and it allows you to change your duck on the fly.| |

| |Integrity | integrity-wake.com 2009 highlight: Glow-in-the-dark skate This limited-edition skate — Integrity is making only 50 and each will be hand numbered and signed — was one of the most unique things we saw Expo weekend. With all the fluorescent lighting bearing down on us from the ceiling of the Orange Country Convention Center, we never actually got to see this bad boy glow. Oddly enough, the glowing wasn’t even the skate’s coolest feature. That’d go to the clear Durasurf bottom, which proudly displayed the company’s Centra-Fuse bamboo core, which is also available in the company’s new Nick Taylor and Ryan Lemons pro models.**** Another interesting development: The guys behind Integrity told us about plans to bring back the Mutiny brand. They already have a high-end wakeboard in the works. More info on that when we get it.| | |

The post The New: Surf Expo Edition appeared first on Wakeboarding Mag.

Shane is the first professional wakeboarder on the payroll.

GFH Boards and Bonifay will be working together on a signature pro model skateboard due out in the next couple of months. GFH Boards has made it a top priority to work with wake and boat shops to cater to a market that historically grew up riding skateboards.

It is a natural progression for GFH to enter into the water sports industry, considering the vast majority of wake boarders and wake skate athletes ride skateboards on a daily basis.

GFH Boards specializes in small retro cruiser skates perfect for travel and to kill time at competitions or that ever-important beer run.

GFH owner Garrett Hurley and team manager Tim Hoover have been on the look-out for an athlete within the watersports industry that fits the company and Shane Bonifay is a perfect match.

The post GFH Boards Signs Shane Bonifay appeared first on Wakeboarding Mag.

We’re really not putting this up for any other reason than it’s really fun to watch.  (Probably the same reason you want to check it out.)  Vandall didn’t make it through his heat, but we think you’ll agree that this is just good t.v. regardless, and it was one of the most difficult heats of the weekend with JD Webb ripping and Adam Errington having one of the most flawless runs of the weekend.  Check out Errington’s run here.

The post Randall The Vandall Harris Quarterfinals Run appeared first on Wakeboarding Mag.

The post AJ Racinelli Rejoins GB appeared first on Wakeboarding Mag.

Drew is riding the gator Reaper 42, one of Gatorboard’s new skates out for 08. “I was really nervous about riding a new board after spending two years on a board that rode like nothing I have ever ridden. But after a few sets on the new Reaper, I found myself. The board is a little wider in the tip and tail and it generates a really good pop. For a larger board (42″) it spins and flips like a 40″ board but is a lot nicer going wake-to-wake”, stated Drew.

The post Gator Boards signs Drew Danielo appeared first on Wakeboarding Mag.

GB also announced the return of Brian Allred to the position of National Sales Manager and the addition of new team, events and marketing manager Troy Flick. Allred, who is returning to GB after a long absence, brings with him more than 12 years of sales and management experience. Flick, who will manage a busy schedule of events including the fifth installment of the Fully Committed tour, brings with him more than 15 years of sales and marketing experience.

For more info, check out gatorbaords.net

The post Isaacson Named GB Rep appeared first on Wakeboarding Mag.

A podium finish at Worlds and then a win at the Gravity Games proved Trevor Hansen is one of the best in the world. His style is smooth, his finesse among the best. Trevor and the CWB R&D team put their heads together to develop a new pro model wakeboard. The results are mind blowing with industry first designs top to bottom.

Trevor’s new board had to match his smooth style. The idea of a wide board that rode like a narrow board was born. The Marius is about 1″ wider than our widest board at the center and 2″ wider at the tip and tail. This width throughout the board produces more lift off the wake than any other board on the market and all the edging performance of a narrow board.

With all of that lift we needed to cushion the landing way out there in the flats. The first ever “Dual Spines” extend down the center line of the board. You immediately feel the difference with softer landings. The Dual Spines are similar in depth to what CWB has used successfully on other models.

The new CWB Marius is the result of over a year testing and proving new design theories. In order to make the extremely wide board ride like a narrow board new ground had to be broken. The new “V-Tech” design allows the board to roll edge to edge like a narrow board and provides power edging into the wake for increased speed and control.

Another first for CWB’s Doug Cannon working with Trevor Hansen is the “Variable Rocker”. The board has continuous rocker, however the tip and tail rocker measurement varies depending on the point of measurement. Measured at the corner, the Marius has about 3″” of rocker. Measured at the center of the tip, rocker is around 2″.

The Marius incorporates many unique design features. Unlike many pro boards on the market today, anyone can ride this new model with its stability and user friendly characteristics.

The 06 Marius will be introduced in May at CWB dealers worldwide and will be available in 134 and 140cm lengths.

For more details on the Marius see www.ridecwb.com

The post Marius by CWB Wakeboards appeared first on Wakeboarding Mag.