Recommended wakeskate?

[dfoster]

A friend of mine is an old skater.... yes we are old.

But now that I have taught him to wakeboard and surf, he is started to ask about wakeskating.

He can still do good skate tricks on dry land and was wondering what wakeskate he should buy.

Anybody have recommendations?

I was going to say just a cheap $99 Hyperlite something, but he wants to make sure that after one season he won't need to upgrade. We aren't that crazy on the boards, but he wants a skate where he can at least progress to a kick flips and shove-its, etc.

What do folks recommend? Anybody have a used board they want to sell?

[s_kelley2000]

Hey Doug,

How big is your buddy? His weight will help determine what length skate to get. If he wants to progress I would definitely recommend spending a little more on a board with a contoured top as opposed to an entry level board with a flat top. I have a basic CWB wood board with a flat top and grip tape that I never liked very much but t was the only thing available when I snapped my Cassette in half while on vacation. I also have a LF Faction that is a wood skate with a contoured foam top. I like this board a lot since it is poppy like my old Cassette, the contour helps a lot with control and I don't have to worry about the dreaded grip tape rash when taking the skate to the legs. The major con to this board is that it is light and it is easier for it to get away from you when trying shove-its and kick flips. My buddy is a good skater and has a harder time doing tricks on my board then he does on his board which is a LF Hampson. He Hampson is a true wood concave board with a grip tape top that is quite a bit heavier since there are more layers of wood than mine. You and your buddy are welcome to borrow both of mine in the spring if you want to give them a try. If he likes the CWB I would probably let it go cheaply.

[dfoster]

Well, I am about 185 and my buddy closer to 200, although for both of us, those numbers seem to keep getting a bit larger every year.

I like the idea of a foam top as I don't really want to go invest in skate shoes, etc. Do you think shoes are needed? They don't cost much, but I have enough weird stuff sitting around that I "tried out" and if any friends who want to try they won't have shoes.

I may take you up on the offer to try out the board. Maybe we can invite you out and get some tips.

Doug

[s_kelley2000]

I still wear skate shoes with my foam top but they are not needed as much as they are with a grip tape top. They do help with grip and one of the few times I rode without shoes I caught the board weird and banged my foot up pretty good. But I agree that wet skate shoes hanging around in the boat/garage are less than desired.

I am in the same weight range as you guys. The foam top board is a 42" so it's on the smaller side and little less stable as I have put on weight. If I was buying again I'd probably grab a 44" or so.

I'd be happy to go out with you guys once the ice thaws and give you some skating tips and let you use my gear. I'd love to check out your homemade NSS as well.