Wakesurfing is a less known water sport but an incredibly rewarding one. Wakeboarding combines water-skiing with surfboarding to give you the ultimate summer experience. Similar to wakeboarding this sport is done behind your boat using the wake provided from your boat. Unlike wakeboarding though there is no rope to harness you to the boat and so you are free to move through the waters on your own. As different boats create different wakes it is important to get the best wakesurf boards to fully appreciate this summer activity.
Here we review the top ten wakesurf boards on today’s market to help make your shopping trip a breeze.
OUR TOP PICK
Hyperlite Shim
- Stand Out Features - Why We Love It
- Rocker and short profile optimize speed, control, and maneuverability
- Non-separable layered fiberglass deck for style and durability
- Pintail design for better wave control and hold
- Single concave base contour for serious top end speed and enhanced acceleration
- Mellow tail channels for even better speed and stability
- Non-slip machined EVA deck traction
Skill level: Intermediate/advanced
Board style: Hybrid
Material: Fiberglass, wood
Fins: 3
Size & dimensions (LxW): 3’9” (45”x19.75”)/ 4’7” (55”x21”)/5’3” (63”x21.5”)
Volume: 11.2L to 18.2L
Rider weight capacity: 140lbs. -240 lbs.
EDITORS CHOICE
Liquid Force TC Skim
- Stand Out Features - Why We Love It
- Great for backward and sideways riding
- Smaller and lighter profile for improved responsiveness
- High traction EVA surf deck pad
- Squash tail design for quick release and quick, sharp turns
- Wider tail for enhanced flexibility
- Single fin setup for easy skim performance
Skill level: Advanced/expert
Board style: Skim
Material: Foam
Fins: 1
Size & dimensions (LxW): Unavailable
Volume: Unavailable
Rider weight capacity: 180lbs. -210 lbs.
BEST VALUE
Ronix Koal Classic Fish
- Stand Out Features - Why We Love It
- Liquid lava high temp resin construction resists extreme heat
- Air vents inserted in EVA tail wedge for improved circulation
- Standard thickness enhances water speed and buoyancy
- Full rails for a consistent and stable feel
- Built-in arch support
- Dual EVA front and rear pad with concave and extra tall tail kick
Skill level: Intermediate/advanced
Board style: Surf
Material: Foam
Fins: 3
Size & dimensions (LxW): 4’6” (20.6” W)/ 5’0” (21.6” W)/5’6” (21.6” W)
Volume: 16.8L to 21.6L
Rider weight capacity: 175 lbs. -160+ lbs.
- Stand Out Features - Why We Love It
- Standard thickness boosts water speed and buoyancy
- Full/soft rails provide smooth and predictable arcs for a classic feel
- A large single fin facilitates easy curves and turns
- Fin-S system allows for quick and simple fin setup
- Spring Lock fin system technology with a 2-stage enhancement for a lightweight and secure fit
- Integrated machine concave pads with arch support and extra tall tail kick
Skill level: Beginner/ intermediate
Board style: Surf
Material: Foam
Fins: 1
Size & dimensions (LxW): 4’10” (58”x21.5”)/ 5’4” (64”x21.5”)
Volume: 21.5L
Rider weight capacity: 125+ lbs.
- Stand Out Features - Why We Love It
- Budget friendly
- Rocker design promotes speed and fluidity with minimal drag
- V bottom tunnel hull for a smooth and mellow ride
- Forging 6-degree edge bevel for gentle turns and continuous rocker
- BioLite 3 core lightweight and durable construction
- ABS molded-in fins for optimal durability
Skill level: Beginner/intermediate
Board style: Wake
Material: Fiberglass, foam
Fins: 6
Size & dimensions (LxW): Unavailable
Volume: Unavailable
Rider weight capacity: 80bs. -230 lbs.
How To Choose A Wakesurf Board – Buying Guide
Wakesurfing is a fun sport that all age groups enjoy. There are quite a few aspects of a wakesurf board you should understand when determining the right one for you. Wakesurf boards have many features that can make them better in certain situations than others.
Tail
The tail of your board will affect not only how it rides but also your balance when on the water. There are a few different styles to choose from (up to 8 if you include all of them).
Pin Tail
As the name suggests, this tail type is the narrowest of the bunch making it an ideal choice for riders heading into bigger waves. The small tail dips lower into the water giving you an ideal low center of gravity. This helps you to get a lot of grip in the water making it a popular choice. The low dip in the water does make it hard to take on smaller waves though.
Square Tail
The square tail is built for speed. Sitting high up out of the water you can expect to have a harder time getting your footing and keeping traction. The pick up on this tail design is excellent allowing you to hit top speeds fast.
Swallow Tail
The swallow is a happy combination of the square and pintails making it a popular choice amongst riders. Ideal for mild to moderate waves this design is easy to control while still being capable of hitting thrilling speeds.
Squash Tail
Squash tails are the most popular kind of tail design on the market today. These are the most commonly seen as they are able to adapt to a variety of wave conditions. From smaller waves to those with some power, the squash tail design can handle it all. Providing excellent performance and reaching top speeds this wakesurf board is still an easy ride.
Round Tail
For those that frequent a variety of different waters, the round tail design is an optimal choice. Ideal for many different wave conditions this wakesurf board is much like the pintail but features a more spacious surface area. This wider back is ideal for showing off with simple tricks and fun turns.
Diamond Tail
If you have tried and enjoyed the squash tailboard you will likely also enjoy this design. This popular choice is a mix between the pin and the squash tail offering some killer speed in an easy to maneuver design. This makes it an ideal board for those looking to perform some tricks as well as looking for an easier ride. An ideal choice for riders of all skill level this tail design is commonly found on many wakesurf boards.
Half Moon Tail
While this isn’t a commonly seen tail design there are some boards that still feature this look. The half-moon design features minimal board area following the fins. This allows the rider to be able to turn with ease making it a board suitable for those doing tricks in the water. This board is easy to maneuver no matter the wave size.
Bat Tail
This bat tail is not commonly used in wakesurf board designs. This board type has an incredibly wide tail that is very stable on the water. The sharp corners of this design cut through the water making this board easy to maneuver.
Rail
This is arguably the most important part of your board as it controls the amount of water flowing over your board. Beginner riders often opt for a board with a thicker rail as it helps provide added grip. This extra stability comes at a price as your board will be slowed down by water not being able to freely flow over your board. Those with more experience tend to opt for a board with a thinner rail. This allows riders to hit maximum speeds as the water flows over the board with less resistance.
When you are looking for your next wakesurf board you will come across 3 different types of the rail system on boards.
Full Rail
Great for beginners, a full rail design allows you to stand stable on your board giving you a smooth ride. As this board excels at building your confidence on the board, it does fall short in performance being a difficult board to make sharp turns with.
Hard Rail
This is a great design for those with some confidence on their board who are looking to do tricks and stunts. Turning easily on a dime, this rail type has less stability and is a harder ride.
Blended Rail
This is the best option for most wakesurfers as it is the perfect blend of stability and performance. An excellent choice for beginner and intermediate riders, this rail type allows you to keep your balance on the board and ride in a straight line. Additionally, it is able to turn relatively sharply making it ideal for practicing some stunts.
Rocker
You may notice this word from many different other types of watersports that you have tried. The rocker of your board refers to the amount of curve your board has when put on a flat surface. The level of curvature your board has plays a direct role in its performance. If your board has a heavy rocker it will sit low in the water making it more stable and easier to maneuver. Alternatively, if your board doesn’t have a lot of rocker it will sit higher on the water allowing it to hit maximum speeds.
Fins
Just like surfboards, wakesurf boards have different fin configuration. They can come with 1 fin up to as many as 5. Each configuration has a different use and will help you achieve a different goal.
A single fin design will essentially act as a boat’s rudder. This board will guide you and keep it on a straight path. If you didn’t have a fin your board would slide around on the surface of the water. A drawback is that you will not be able to increase your speed as if you were on a multi-fin board.
Many people prefer a two fin board. These give you more control in the water. Just keep in mind that these rigs are meant for smaller waves. Three fin wakesurf boards are the ones most people will be familiar with. They are the most versatile boards and can be used in nearly every wave situation. You will be able to significantly increase your velocity with not much effort due to the additional wing.
If you are looking for a wakesurf board with the most speed possible a four fin setup will be your ideal. This type of board will be able to ride even the biggest waves you can throw at it. We find this to be a close second to the three fin board for overall rideability. If you up the fin count to five your board will see an increase in stability but a decrease in speed. This is due to the added drag and resistance through the water.
Type of Wakesurf Boards
Wakesurf boards will usually fit into three different categories: skimboards, surfboards, and hybrid boards.
Skimboards will be for people who have some experience in the sport. They are predominately used for competitions and tricks. Their sleek bottom makes them one of the more difficult boards to ride no matter what watersport you’re used to.
If you are just getting your feet wet in the sport you will want to start with a surf wakeboard. You will be able to control these boards with little effort with enough balance to advance your skills.
People who are new to the sport but are looking for a challenge should get a hybrid board. They strike a good balance between the difficult skimboard and an easy surf wakeboard. You will be able to balance and control it while even doing some jumps and tricks.
Manufacturer
Unlike other sports, wakesurf companies vary in quality. Some companies have been around for years while newer kids on the block are trying to make a name for themselves. One of the best indications about the quality of their boards is how long they’ve been in business for.
For example, if you are choosing between a company that’s been in business for over a decade versus one that’s new to the game, we strongly suggest the veteran company. They will have the experience and knowledge needed to make great boards. After all, there’s a reason they’ve been in business so long: people keep coming back.
What Is The Best Wakesurf Board For You?
While you may think that choosing a wakesurf board is easy, there are actually a lot of different shapes and styles on the market that you should be aware of before you buy. This will allow you to choose the best one for your needs and thus ensure you don’t have to spend the added money on a new board later.
Board Style
At the top of any wakesurf board guide, you will see that there are three distinct types of boards on the market. The expert skimboard, the go-to surf style board, and the combination hybrid style board.
Skim
This board style is built for the expert rider that enjoys doing tricks in the water. A perfect option for doing spins and catching air, this board style makes even expert riders work giving them a more challenging and fun ride.
Surf
This is a great style for both beginners and advanced riders alike. This board style is similar to that of a regular surfboard and carries a much similar appeal. You will feel like you are out in the ocean catching waves when riding this. Beginner riders will enjoy that this is the easiest board style to learn on. Allowing you to effortlessly ride the surf at top speeds this board gives expert riders the freedom to maneuver the water they are looking for.
Hybrid
This blends the aforementioned board styles in order to offer you a board that meets intermediate to expert riders needs perfectly. A hybrid board blends the high speeds of a surfboard and offers easy maneuverability while still allowing you to push the limits of your latest stunt.
Padding
The standard floatable will come with EVA padding that keeps your ride comfortable. It can get bumpy on the water but having strategically placed padding will make you not even notice. Many companies have done tests to find out where most people’s elbows and knees rest when on the towable. They have added pads to these spots for your comfort and safety.
FAQs
Q: How Do I Clean My Wakesurf Board?
You will want to clean your wakesurf board after every time you have the board in the water. You do not need to do a lot to clean your wakesurf board, and you will be mainly rinsing your board with fresh warm water. This will remove any debris from your board, such as sand and will dissolve any salt which has accumulated in any seams or other places. Once you have rinsed off your board, you should allow it to dry before you put it into storage.
If your board is dirty, then you can use some warm soapy water and a non-abrasive cloth to wash your board down. As you are rinsing or washing your board, you should be checking it for any damage. If you can catch any damaged areas early, then you can repair it before it becomes a bigger problem. A small ding or scratch can be patched instantly with some waterproof tape. Larger gouges and dents will need to be filled with an epoxy resin. Make sure to sand and clean the area before you add tape of epoxy.
Q: Where Do I Store My Wakesurf Board?
To ensure that your wakesurf board is kept free from damage when your board is in transit or storage, you should invest in a high-quality board bag. If you are traveling to your surfing destination, then a good bag will stop your board from becoming damaged as it moves around a car. You can also invest in a rack for your car to store it on as you are traveling.
A rack can be a useful addition to your home for storing your rack. If you have your board stored laying flat or even in its side, then there is less chance of the board becoming damaged. If you do not have a rack, then do not store your board on its end or you risk warping and bending. You should also never store stuff on your rack, or you risk damaging your board.
It is our recommendation that you store your board in a cool dry place, and out of direct sunlight. The UV rays can damage your board. If you do have a board bag, then we recommend always having it in the bag when it is in storage.
Q: What Is The Best Material For A Wakesurf Board?
Most wakesurf boards are made of foam which is covered with epoxy-fiberglass. This makes the boar light and fast, but this type of board can also be fragile. Compression molding is often used in newer boards to give a more durable finish. These boards are still affordable but are more durable than the foam and epoxy fiberglass combination.
Compression-molded boards are usually slower, but this makes them great for beginners who want to get used to maneuvering a board through the water before they build up speed. Hybrid boards offer a softer foam on the top and a slick base. This wakesurf board are comfortable and offer a lot of speed.
Globo Surf Overview
There is a lot of information to consider when looking at the best wakesurf boards. Boards will vary greatly from beginner models to competition and pro boards. There are many categories and variations you should be aware of before making a purchase. By using the information in this guide you will be able to confidently understand every feature available.
When reading through the wakesurf board reviews on our list you will see that they are all made using top quality materials. This is the biggest distinguishing factor between the quality of the boards. Having the best wakesurf boards will ensure that you get the most out of this sport and allow your board to last through the years.
This wakesurf board buyers guide was designed to help you find the perfect board for this summer sport.