5 Important Items You Need To Have Before Wakeboarding
Wakeboarding is a fun and exciting water sport that offers riders of all skill levels a fantastic adrenaline rush. When you’re just getting started with wakeboarding, you might have a lot of questions, such as what to wear and how to control the board. First things first, if you want to try your hand at wakeboarding, you must have access to a boat that’s equipped with at least a wakeboard tower and wakeboard mirrors.
You have a few alternatives to choose from when it comes to dressing, but some of these are unquestionably better than others. Most beginner wakeboarders spend more time in the water than on their boards as they learn the sport. We’ve listed some important articles of clothing and protective equipment that you must have when wakeboarding.
FIVE WAKEBOARDING ESSENTIALS YOU MUST HAVE
Wakeboard life jacket
If you are a boat owner or mostly engage in water sports, you might already have a life jacket to ensure your safety. Because you need a personal floatation device according to the activity you engage in, wakeboarding calls for high-quality and more durable life jackets to keep you afloat in case of accidents.
Wakeboard life jackets are made using sturdy yet flexible material, allowing you to move your arms easily as compared to other options, which often restrict your movement. And because wakeboard life jackets have elastic and contoured neoprene material that fits snuggly over your body, it allows for quick movements when you are surfing the wake.
Helmet
You should use a helmet while surfing or wakeboarding, just as you would while on a bicycle. Because wakeboarding is an intense water activity, some stunts can be potentially dangerous, particularly if you accidentally fall into the water.
You should wear watersports or a wakeboard helmet with your wakeboard life jacket to protect your head from potential injuries. You shouldn’t hesitate to spend a few more bucks for a high-quality helmet, which is usually more comfortable to wear and has a hard shell with a thick inner lining.
Wakeboard mirrors
Your wakeboard must have mirrors installed on either side of the tower or windscreen to ensure rider safety because you must be aware of your surroundings. The same holds true for the boater, and mirrors are the perfect option to give you an instant view of the traffic around you. Almost all wakeboard mirrors are adjustable, allowing you to set them at a perfect angle for a better view.
Sunscreen
Taking good care of your skin is crucial in everyday life and is especially important when participating in water sports. Sunlight can harm your skin in many ways, some of which can show up right away, like sunburns, and others may damage your skin’s barrier slowly, causing skin cancer. You should protect your skin’s natural barrier by applying sunscreen with at least 50 SPF (sun protection factors). You can find sunscreens in different forms, ranging from lotions and creams to sprays. They also come in travel sizes that are easy to carry with you anywhere.
Extra screws
There is always a chance that some screws from your wakeboard can get loose and fall out. You must tighten the screws on your equipment before each session, or can change the screws if you know which ones loosen up the most. You can avoid inconveniences or even unpleasant events by keeping at least one of each type of screw in your bag.
SOME TIPS FOR A WONDERFUL WAKEBOARDING EXPERIENCE
- Always put on a life jacket or a personal floatation device (PFD)
- The foot you naturally push forward first is the dominant one and you should place it on the front side of your wakeboard.
- If you are a newbie, avoid trying tricky positions. Novices should practice easy and important positions where the boarder’s weight is on the wakeboard’s tail.
- Extend your rope as you get more proficient with your wakeboard.
- The top speed when following a boat is around 19 miles per hour. Unlike other sports, wakeboarding doesn’t call for speed.
THE BOTTOM LINE
You need a swimsuit, a wakeboard life jacket, and a helmet to be fully ready for wakeboarding. To reduce the risk of accidents, you should also learn sign language and the requirements for wakeboarding safety. Wakeboarding is a really enjoyable sport, but mastering it requires a lot of dedication and practice.