Wakeskates are a hybrid of two types of boards---skateboards and wakeboards---used to ride atop the water when pulled by a motorized boat. These wakeskates are slightly larger than a skateboard and typically made of wood. Some also come with fins on the underside of the board, which makes it easier to steer the board in the water and make sharp turns. Most wakeskates are symmetrical to perform equally on both sides of the board. While the board itself is relatively simple, there are a few attributes that you will need to make decisions on in order to choose the right board.
Step 1
Choose the shape of your wakeskate deck. This can be either flat or concave. Flat boards are typically the recommended type of wakeskate if you are a beginner. They feature rounded edges that are less sensitive to movement and make it easier to stay on the board. If you're looking for a high-performance board, you'll want a concave board that's slightly rounded instead of flat and features sharp edges. These boards can react much quicker and cleaner in the water, but they are also harder to stay atop. Most flat boards are made of wood, but if you want a concave board, you can choose between wood and compression molding, which is lighter than wood.
Step 2
Decide between a deck surface of either grip tape or foam. Grip tape is most commonly used by individuals using footwear---wakeskating shoes hold onto the board easily and provide more stability with grip tape. If you plan to go barefoot, though, you will want foam, which will let your feet conform to and grip the board.
Step 3
Determine the best size of your wakeskate. Typical wakeskate sizes range from 39 to 46 inches in length. These can correspond to your body size or according to the tricks you want to pull off---for a better trick board, go with a longer size. If going according to weight, choose a board between 39 and 41 inches if you are under 150 pounds, 42 or 43 inches for individuals between 150 and 180, and 44 and up for weights above 180 pounds.
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