A Few Wakeboard Ques

[Inliner]

I currently ski on two wakeboards. My primary one is an O'brien 133 and it seems to ski well, but the bindings suck. I am a show skier as well as a slalom skier and have found that I really like the cinch-type bindings now being used on competition slalom skis. I currently use an HO Venom on my KD Evolution. I am thinking about something along that lines for my wakeboard. What is a good binding without spending $400 for new bindings? How easy are they to get out of compared to the older bindings (I literally have to jump out of them after resoaping them on the swim platform) on my other wakeboard?

Also, I assume that wakeboard length is the same as ski length, but am not 100% sure so I am looking for input here. I would assume that the longer the wakeboard, the more air it will catch on the pop. This would make the 133 a good learning board but not so good as the boarder advances. Is this a correct assumption or are there other factors I need to know? I launched it for a wake-to-wake yesterday with no problem behind an Outback on a 60 foot line, so I know it catches air with no problem. I just need this input as I decide what my plans are regarding this area. I have been having problems with my left elbow from over-skiing the slalom course most likely and will use this during the times I have to stay off the slalom ski to give it a chance to heal.

I stand corrected. I discovered something about this board that I had no idea of. It is an O'Brien Swindle 133, which means it is an advanced riders board with a 139 length. That explains a lot about this board. Now I know why it popped so easily off the wake yesterday. Apparently this is a very good board that simply needs bindings.

[noneya]

Well a 133 is about right for a small person, around 120 lbs, I am around 150 and ride a 139 and am about to step up to a 142. You get more air with a bigger board, but when you start trying spins and inverts it has more mass so harder to rotate. A larger board is also obviously easier to get up on. Not sure why the 133 is really 139, havent heard that before. For bindings there are alot of good ones around $200, the main thing is to demo, they all have different things that some people like and some dont. For example most of the Hyperlite bindings have soft rubber on the ankle area. Makes it easier to get in/out and lets the foot move more. My Liquid Force EXOs, have very stiff rubber there, doesnt allow the ankle to move. I like that but a lot of people dont. Most board shops let you demo and apply the rental fee to your purchase, I highly recommend that. Here is a link to an on-line shop with very reasonable prices

http://www.cheapwakeboards.com/

Here is a "try before you buy" store:

http://www.trinityboardshop.com/

Oh yeah, obviously I like the LF Exos, I used to ride Hyperlite 30/60's and Byerlys. My buddy really likes his LF transits, I have heard mixed reviews on the Alphas

Good luck and DEMO!

[Inliner]

I have to admit, I am a little confused about the designation. I assumed that a Swindle 133 is a 133. Not in this case. I think now that I have taken a good look at it (it was destined to be my wife's trick board for WSDA tournaments originally so I never really looked that closely at it) it may be a blem. It is labeled at the front (for me, a goofy footer) as a 139, but at the rear as a 133. I meaured it and it is a true 139, so that pretty much explains everything that happened on it yesterday.

I haven't experimented with rotational tricks on it, but as soon as I do, I will see how it performs compared to the 142 I was using previously. So far I do like this board better. I am getting much better pop and the pull-up is effortless. I see no difference whatsoever coming up out of the water on it. It feels exactly the same as the 142. Its high point seems to be the turning and response. It is quick and effortless. I have heard a few folks claim a lack of stability on this board, but I have had no such issues. It launches and lands beautifully and turns and straight-ahead skiing gives me no hassle at all.

I did have to spend several sets tweaking the bindings to get them comfy. Once that was done, everything else was easy. While on this subject, I have heard people say bindings should be either toed out or in. I found on this board that the toe-out or toe-in caused me ankle pain. I adjusted the bindings to a toe pointed slightly forward on both and they are as comfortable as they can be. Jump landings are smooth and I found no issues with either toe-side or heel-side turns and jumps. Is this something normal, kind of a personal body thing or could this cause problems down the road?

[suvlako]

I have tried most of hyperlite bindings and just got a pair of era's. They are pretty awesome. They cinch in the back and have strap in front for heal hold down. Nice and cushy also. That's my two cents.

[Inliner]

I made a couple of changes to the board today. First I removed the original velcro style bindings and replaced them with an O'Brien System. That quickly resolved the ankle pain. I tried to do a wake slide Tuesday and did a face plant courtesy of fins that were WAY too long. So I removed the 2.25" fins and replaced them with a set of 1.25" Shapiros.

Then I took it out on the lake tonight. It took me a few butt busters to get used to the new fins. But as time on the water wore on, I became pretty good at making the board work. Once my confidence climbed, I then went after the wake slide again. This time I nailed a 20 foot plus wake slide. The shorter fins definitely did their thing. Now I think this board is ready for wakeboarding. Now it is time to put it to work!