Could use any help from you guys. I,m 59 years old and just getting started. I can ride but only like to do surface stuff. Can,t afford to <BR>get very aggressive with any jumping.One of my sons ride a premier 04 141, the other a substance 06 142. I like them both. Want to get my own board.Should I stay with that level of boards or is there any board that would be better for only surface tricks? 5'9 195lbs. <BR>Thanks

if you like those boards but want them more friendly you should look at the ps3. it is almost the same shape as the substance but has a very round center edge which makes it hard to catch your edge and it is very forgiving

Paul, depends on what conditions you get to ride in, IMO. I absolutely love the Hyperlite Roam, and now other companies have their similar rides (Slingshot, LF Press, Ronix Covenant I think). It is finless, which means it is absolutely ideal for surface tricks, but I only really dig riding it when the lake is smooth like butter. Rough water makes it less fun. You can pick up previous years' Roams on eBay for <$150 brand new, so in my opinion, grab one even if you plan on getting another type of board...my guess is you'll ride it 80+% of the time. <BR> <BR>I just did a quick search, Evogear (great shop) has a 2008 blem Roam for $150 w/ free shipping. I'd definitely pick that up, just make sure to get the largest size (144 cm) for your weight. I think you'll love it. <BR> <BR><a href="http://www.evogear.com/wakeboards/hyperlite-roam-wakeboard-blem-2008.aspx?utm_medium=shoppingengine&amp;utm_source =googlebase&amp;CMP=KAC-Froogle" target="_blank">http://www.evogear.com/wakeboards/hyperlite-roam-wakeboard-blem-2008.aspx?utm_medium=shoppingengine&amp;utm_source =googlebase&amp;CMP=KAC-Froogle</a>

Here's a pic of me on my Roam. <BR> <BR> <img src="http://www.wakeworld.com/MB/Discus/messages/65919/618625.jpg" alt="Upload">

i like Loren's suggestion <BR> <BR>besides hyperlite roam, Slingshot, LF Press, Ronix Covenant, there is also the Obrien R5 and Local. <BR> <BR>and...if you want to wait a while and get something from the newest wake company comming out (i am guessing you won't, but i gota throw all options out there) we can include Co. Wake wakeboards too ;)

get one from the list loren and i provided that your sons would like too... of course the board is for YOU, but maybe including them will help narrow it down

Take a look at the Hyperlite Motive. It is a very user friendly beginner to intermediate board.

Jeremy, I rode the Local for a couple hours at a cable park. It was enjoyable, and the fins it had made the 'sliding out' less likely, but for straight surface tricks I like my totally finless Roam.

Thanks for all your suggestions but is a board like the premier or substance going to be as good as your choices or are they designed for more aggressive riding? Thanks

paul, congrats on your new interest. i will be 54 in a couple of weeks and have been riding for five years now. my goal is to ride until a am at least 85. i ride my roam a lot. i have other boards too including an 07 murray that i use to jump the wake on but i am doing less and less of that and riding my roam more and more. you can have a wonderful time sliding around on the roam with little to no risk of injury. it is so relaxing and you can ride it a long time due to the fact that it induces very little drag on the water. really a sweet, fun, safe ride that you can get a great workout while riding without exposing yourself to injury. good luck and show those young ones that we aren't through yet.

I agree Mitch, I love my PS3 <BR> <BR>I might rent some faster boards this weekend to see how they compare

Paul, I would say that the boards you mentioned are designed for wake to wake jumping, not carving around on the surface. Sure, they do it fine, but their purpose is to get big air. The flex boards (Roam, et al) job is to make surface tricks (and rails...although I haven't ridden them) more enjoyable. You can go wake to wake just fine, check out this vid from a couple years back of Josh Storrer riding the Roam (mostly). It'll give you an idea of what a good rider can do on the board (ie its for more than surface tricks if you want it to be) <BR> <BR><a href="http://www.wakepics.com/video/13286/josh-storrer-on-the-roam" target="_blank">http://www.wakepics.com/video/13286/josh-storrer-on-the-roam</a>