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How to Choose a Wakeskate - Size Chart & Guide


Before wakeboarding, there was wakeskating. Seriously! Wakeskating is somewhere in between wakeboarding and skateboarding. Riders use wood or composite wakeskates and ride behind the boat at a similar distance to wakeboarding. Like a skateboard, you are not attached to your wakeskate. Wakeskate features are similar to wakeboards. Read on to learn more about types of rocker, materials, edges and deck shapes.

Wakeskate Size Chart

Your weight is the main factor in determining the right size wakeskate. General wakeskate length guidelines are located below. Specific sizing charts for all wakeskates are available on their individual product detail pages.

Wakeskate Size (inches)Rider Weight (lbs)Shop by Size
39 - 4190 - 17039,  40,  40.5,  41
42 - 43150 - 20042,  43
44 - 46180+44,  45,  46

Beginner - Intermediate   Intermediate - Advanced   Advanced - Expert

The shorter the wakeskate, the more maneuverable it is. Shorter wakeskates make skateboard-esque flip tricks easier. Longer wakeskates allow you to stay on a plane at slower speeds. If your wakeskate will be used by multiple riders of different sizes you should go with a size based on the largest rider’s weight. You will be better off with a wakeskate that is a little longer versus one that is too short.

Wakeskate Rocker Types

Continuous Rocker (smooth, continuous arch)

A continuous rocker has one smooth, fluid, curved shape. Continuous rockers provide fast, smooth rides and allow you to hook up turns more easily. You can generate a lot of speed on a continuous rocker wakeskate. This speed will shoot you farther out into the flats with a very predictable pop (height) when you hit the wake. Continuous rocker wakeskates are great for carving, especially on those glassy-smooth mornings.

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3-Stage Rocker (angled with a flat spot)

A wakeskate with a 3-stage rocker features three distinct planes on the bottom of the board. A 3-stage rocker causes your wakeskate to respond with more pop (height) when you hit the wake. With more dramatic rocker your wakeskate feels looser or slippery on the water surface. In addition, the shape of the board causes it to plow rather than cut through the water, making it slower. Your fins become less effective and you must rely more on edging the board. Boards with 3-stage rocker have a flat spot which makes the impact of landings intense and gives a slight sluggish feeling after landing.

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Hybrid Rocker (a combination of continuous and 3-stage)

Living somewhere between a continuous and 3-stage rocker, the hybrid rocker features a blend of continuous and three-stage rockers. Some hybrid rockers include: Blended 3-stage, Continuous Hybrid, Progressive, Subtle three-stage Deck Shape Variable Edges Wakeskates with variable edges have rounder rails in the middle and sharper rails on the edges to allow forgiveness on rails and lip tricks, while simultaneously providing sharp edges for cutting into the wake.

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 Wakeskate Deck Shapes

Concave Wakeskate Decks

Concave decks are curved or rounded like the inside of a bowl but to a lesser degree. Concave wakeskates provide you with more pop as well as enhanced control and ability to do skateboard-style tricks.

Bi-Level Wakeskate Decks

As with most things involving the prefix "bi," (bicycles, binoculars, bipeds) a "bi-level" wakeskate consists of two parts. The bottom deck is shaped and constructed in the same way as most regular ol' wakeskates, the difference being that it is attached to a separate, super cool top portion. This top portion, rather than following the curve of the bottom deck, is shaped more like a skateboard deck and the only contact points with the bottom deck are found at the attachment points that hold it all together. The attachments points are placed where the tip and tail start their upward curve from the straighter middle section of the top sheet. What does this design accomplish? The sharper angles and increased flex of the top board produce greater acceleration out of the water during ollies, causing the wakeskate to stick to your feet in a way that much more closely models the feel of skateboarding than do traditional wakeskates.

Wakeskate Materials

Wood

Wood is often used to make wakeskates. Wood wakeskates are glassed over with a marine grade epoxy that gives the wakeskate a lively, more skateboard-esque feel. Wood wakeskates have a shorter lifespan than their composite counterparts because the wood is more affected by the water. It is common that manufacturers do not offer a warranty on wood wakeskates.

Composite

Composite wakeskates give riders more of a wakeboard feel. Composite wakeskates last longer than their wooden counterparts and are noticeably lighter. Composites, for the most part, are more expensive than wood construction.

Fins

Fins help your wakeskate track through the water. Available in a variety of heights and lengths, fins dictate how your wakeskate behaves in the water. Fins that are taller and longer offer a more stable ride but reduce the ability to break the board free for tricks. Beginners will benefit from taller and longer fins. Fins can also be removed to provide a looser ride.

Wakeskate Deck Surface 

Grip Tape vs. Foam

A wakeskate's top surface can either be covered with grip tape similar to a skateboard or a soft, high-traction EVA pad. If you prefer to ride barefoot, go with foam. If you wear shoes wakeskating, the grip tape gives you a stable platform for ultimate control, just like a skateboard.

Wakeskate Shoes, Do You Need Them?

No, you can wear your normal shoes. Are wakeskate shoes awesome? Yes. Why are they so great? Well, wakeskates are heavy and when you start throwing kickflips and pop shuvits, your toes get a little scared. Wakeskate shoes keep your precious tootsies protected from jams and brakes. Specific wakeskate shoes feature high traction soles, quick drying materials and special drainage channels so they don’t became soggy and weighed down like your everyday sneakers do in the water. You need to wear shoes on grip tape wakeskates unless your feet are tougher than nails.

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