Hey first time wakeboarder so I need some gear. <BR>I've browsed some forums and sites but I really have no idea where to start. It seems there are mixed reviews all over the place so I'm asking, <BR>what should I get for a beginner? <BR>I've been snowboarding for years and I plan to get out on the water quite a bit so I don't want to just 'try it out.' <BR> <BR>So I need practically everything: board, binding, rope, and jacket. <BR>I don't know if life jackets have a lot of variety but if you have a suggestion for that too I'd appreciate it. <BR> <BR>Thanks for the help <BR> <BR>6'1" 165, 12-13 shoe

i would suggest getting something left over from last year. you'll save a bunch of money when it comes to board &amp; bindings. buy a reputable brand like liquid force, hyperlite, slingshot, ronix, gator, cwb, or oneil. i've seen people get jacked up on walmart boards. i would suggest a uscga approved life jacket, or u could get a non-uscga jacket. the "non" is NOT guaranteed to float u if u get knocked out. you will also want a non-stretch rope (spectra) &amp; handle. try to pick up an instructional video. they help a ton. "the book" is a great one &amp; the new version of "detention" is pretty sweet. <BR> <BR>in the beginning you just need to learn the basics which can be done on any brand of board. try out all of your friends boards &amp; demo any u like from your local pro shops. and if u can, buy from your local pro shop. they're more inclined to give u a good deal &amp; will hook u up when it comes to warranty issues. good luck &amp; welcome to the sport!!

I would suggest maybe getting a cwb Kink or Pure. Both boards are beginner friendly but can also be ridden by advanced riders so you would not necessarily need to upgrade boards for a while. For ropes Straightline and Proline have some pretty affordable packages, but of the two i would choose proline because their warranties and customer service is unmatched. Since you are just a beginner I would suggest just getting a coast guard approved vest because you would enjoy the benefits of floating

If you don't need a board right away, as in, you can borrow or rent, then do that for a while until you know what kind of rider you'll be. Also, make sure you demo the board before you buy. A good pro shop will allow you to do that.It's not all about the graphic, or what brand name is best. As far as vest goes, it has to be super snug when you put it on, but not tight enough so that you can't breathe. It will loosen in the water. Make sure it doesn't ride up, too. Try it out if you can. For now, I would suggest getting a USCG approved wake vest. You can get them pretty cheap. Comp vests are for when you start getting into hardcore tricks, or the Advanced Pond at cable parks. They don't float you. <BR> <BR>Although I agree with buying from small businesses, <a href="http://www.evogear.com" target="_blank">www.evogear.com</a> has the best online prices I've seen. Can't be beat, and I've looked.

6'1" 165, 12-13 shoe <BR> <BR>You should learn how to barefoot! <IMG SRC="http://www.wakeworld.com/MB/Discus/clipart/happy.gif" ALT=":-)" BORDER=0>

True, Dave! 6'1" is tall for a wakeboarder! He'll have to catch some major air to clear his head from the wake!!

I've seen taller wakeboarders before. I'm 6ft and have a size 12 shoe and have no trouble wakeboarding

Hey, thanks for all the info!

same...6', size 12.5 and wakeboard just fine. Height won't be an issue unless you start getting into the 7' range maybe haha.

also, I weigh like 185-190<IMG SRC="http://www.wakeworld.com/MB/Discus/clipart/happy.gif" ALT=":-)" BORDER=0>

Well this should be fun. <BR>I don't live near any shops so I've been browsing the internet. I'm sure I'll be posting more once I have a chance to get on the water later this week. <BR>I did stumble across evogear but it seems there isn't really any info on life jackets so I grabbed a hyperlite to try out. Also got a Gator Legend with hyperlite vario bindings.

Hello Trevor, <BR>Lots of good suggestions here. <BR>For my two cents I would start out with a beginner/intermediate board. I would get something that has a "mellow" ride and is very forgiving on edge. I have seen some beginners go out and buy expensive pro boards with radical/abrupt 3-stage rockers, variable edges, and funky/catchy shaped tips that caused them to spend more time face planting than real riding. Don't fall into that trap. As you progress you can always buy a more advanced board later and keep the beginner model around as a back up and use it to teach others how to ride when you become the "Shez". <BR>I would recommend starting out with a continuous rocker or a subtle 3-stage. CWB makes one of the best beginner boards ever made called the "Sol" <a href="http://www.wakeworld.com/boardguide/getboard7.asp?ProductID=2977" target="_blank">http://www.wakeworld.com/boardguide/getboard7.asp?ProductID=2977</a>. The Sol does not win any prizes in the most pop department but it is easy on deep water starts because it is neutrally buoyant. The Sol is very stable, fun and easy to ride. You can change out the stock fins to smaller P wings or ride it finless for a looser feel as well. Another very mellow board is the Hyperlite Motive, <a href="http://www.wakeworld.com/boardguide/getboard10.asp?ProductID=4815" target="_blank">http://www.wakeworld.com/boardguide/getboard10.asp?ProductID=4815</a>. The Motive is a great all around board, very forgiving and has a mellow ride, a better first board than the Motive would be hard to find. The Liquid Force Trip is also a good choice <a href="http://www.wakeworld.com/boardguide/getboard10.asp?ProductID=4694" target="_blank">http://www.wakeworld.com/boardguide/getboard10.asp?ProductID=4694</a> it is a little more aggressive than the other two but still forgiving and very fun to ride. Something I would not go beginner on, though, is bindings. Spend some jack for some pro model bindings. Your feet need to be comfortable. If you buy cheap bindings expect your feet to hurt, it's that simple. Hurting feet means short rides. Probably one of the most comfortable boots out their is the Ronix 1 boot, although it is not my personal favorite. I prefer the O'Brien Xenon for comfort and flexibility, lots of personal preference in a boot choice. CWB also makes some very comfy bindings I have heard good things about the faction boot <a href="http://www.wakeworld.com/boots/getboot10.asp?ProductID=4653" target="_blank">http://www.wakeworld.com/boots/getboot10.asp?ProductID=4653</a> . If you go with a high end pro binding you most likely will be satisfied, just don't go cheap here. Get a "hinged" CGA life jacket. O'Brien has a special on at a few net sites for about 40 bucks. A hinged jacket gives you much more freedom of movement and you don't feel bunched up like you do with most standard life jackets that were not designed specifically for wakeboarding. <BR>Try to get a "no stretch" line and a good handle. I have had cheap handles break in the middle of a ride and that isn't always pretty. <BR>After writing all this I see you got a Gator Legend and some vario boots. I own an 07 Legend board and I like that board very much, just not sure it would be my first choice for a beginner, but still it is a very good ride, you will probably not be disappointed in the board. Not sure I can say the same thing for the boots though but they will work as starters. <BR>Welcome to the sport, remember, having fun, the love of the ride and hanging out with some of the best people on the water is whats most important. <BR>Be safe, be careful, and share the ride when you can.