Wakesurfing is one of the best ways to enjoy the water. It is a fun activity that can help you stay fit and give you an unmatched surfing experience. Moreover, it is relatively easy to try and enjoy even for those who don’t have any previous watersports experience.
Interested in trying this hobby out? You need a wakesurf board first to be able to do so. Choosing the right wakesurf board can be overwhelming, not only for beginners but even for experienced riders. Wakesurf boards come in a wide variety of shapes, sizes, and styles, so choosing one can be somewhat confusing for many people.
You obviously don’t want to buy just any board. The right wakesurf board is one that is appropriate for your surfing experience. If you’re a beginner, you’ll want a board with a large enough area to keep you afloat. Experienced riders, on the other hand, typically look for a smaller and lighter board so that they can perform tricks better. Check out the top 15 best wakesurf boards below.
Driftsun Throwdown Wakesurf Board
This surf style wakesurf board is ideal for beginner and intermediate riders. It has a quad fin setup and a dual concave base for a fast and responsive ride. The fins are also adjustable and can be changed as you progress with your skills. The low rail also provides maximum stability. It has a weight capacity of 250 pounds.
Measuring 4 feet by 8 inches long and 20 inches wide, this board has a thickness of 1.5 inches. This board is made from EPS core and natural wood stringer and is hand-finished with epoxy. This is one of the best wakesurf boards in terms of versatility and quality. You’ll definitely get your money’s worth with this one.
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Driftsun Fifty-50 Wakesurf Board
This skim style board from Driftsun is also ideal for beginners and intermediate riders. It measures 4 feet 9 inches long with a width of 21.5 inches and a thickness of 1 inch. Made from custom shaped EPS core and natural wood stringer, this board has a full carbon fiber wrap as well as reinforced carbon fiber rails.
It has a three-fin thruster setup that can help riders build up their confidence. The fins can also be interchanged if you want to customize the board. The board has a flat bottom base, providing a fast and responsive ride while its sharp rail makes it very stable. This is a well-designed and constructed board that can give you an enjoyable ride at a reasonable price.
Hyperlite Speedster Wakesurf 5.2
As the name suggests, this board is fast. It is therefore not the best choice if you are a beginner. Designed mainly for intermediate and experienced riders, the Speedster has a dual concave base that enables it to respond quickly and accelerate fast. This is the type of board that you can turn to if you want to perform tricks.
The board measures 5 feet 2 inches long. It is made with compression-molded Biolite 3 foam core that gives it superior durability. Its dual concave base design, on the other hand, enables it to accelerate quickly. This board has a rider capacity of 120 pounds or more, depending on the size you choose.
It also has a rolled edge design, meaning it is more forgiving in the waters. You can practice your moves and tricks with this board without having to fear completely falling off from it.
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Ronix Hex Shell Skate Skimmer
This is a skim style board that’s lightweight and easy to maneuver. This thin board is designed by skater Reed Hansen. Measuring 4 feet 9 inches long, it comes in a stylish orange color. This board features a fiberglass, symmetric 2.5-inch fin. It also has machined EVA concave pad, plus arch support and extra tail kick.
Its thin concave body is designed to help users ride the rails better. On the other hand, its lightweight design gives it more maneuverability, which comes in handy when performing tricks.
AIRHEAD PFISH Wakesurf Board
This is one of the more popular skim style surfboards available today because of its construction, design, and price. It’s highly recommended for beginners and advanced surfers alike. With dimensions of 49 x 21 x 7/8 inches, it features two fins and can hold up riders who weigh up to 175 pounds. While it does have a limited capacity, it can easily glide over the water and give you a wild ride.
It features a full shape and fishtail setup making it forgiving to beginners. Experienced riders, too, will love how stable this board is. The stability should give them the confidence to test their limits and try extreme tricks. The grooved EVA deck also makes it easier for the rider’s feet to grip the board.
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Ronix 2018 Koal Classic Fish Wakesurf Board
Another skim style wakesurf board, this Ronix board is fondly called ‘the fun board.’ It’s a board designed for riders looking to have a fun time. It is recommended for both beginners and experienced riders. It is also very stable thanks to its wide nose design, making it a good choice for those who are trying to build up their confidence. The faster rockerline of the board, meanwhile, allows it to soar through water and increase the thrill for experienced riders.
Available in three different lengths, this board has an EVA core with concave pads for superior arch support. It also has an extra tall tail kick, which allows it to carve through waters. This is a good choice for riders of any skill level.
Ronix Honey Comb Powertail
This is a high-end wakesurf board from Ronix that has a mid-range thickness for superior balance and stability. The name comes from its core, which keeps it light and strong. It also has a wide tail that enables it to increase its airtime over large waves.
This board comes with a thrusted set of fins, which are interchangeable. It has machined EVA core concave pads with an extra tall tail kick and arch support. It also features the manufacturer’s patented toolless Fin-S 2 system. Available in two sizes—4 feet 11 inches and 4 feet 5 inches—this board can support users looking for a thrilling ride.
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Slingshot Sports 2018 Gnarwhal Wakesurfer
This wakesurf board is appropriate for experienced riders. It has a large surface area, making it ideal for heavy surfers, while its snubbed nose and fat tail adds more control whenever it hits a wave.
It is available in two sizes—4 feet 6 inches and 4 feet 10 inches. Its fin can be adjusted from 2 to 4 depending on the needs of the rider. Switching the fins is easy with the board’s click-in and out, tool-free system.
Ronix Koal Classic Longboard Wakesurf Board
This longboard wakesurf board from Ronix has that old-school vibe to it. With one fiberglass fin and a thick platform, this wakesurf board can give you reliable performance in the water. The thick platform is combined with a full rail for a peaceful and fast ride.
Its light body enables it to handle all wave sizes with relative ease. Its surfboard-inspired shape not only gives it a distinct look but also makes it very buoyant. It can be used by novice and experienced riders alike.
This board is manufactured from a machined core and then, hand-wrapped in a fiberglass shell. It is then vacuum-bagged to remove unnecessary resin. The result is a light, strong, and stable ride. This board measures 5 feet 4 inches, while the smaller model measures 4 feet 10 inches.
Hyperlite Landlock 2018
This model is highly recommended to novice riders who are looking to improve their skills in the water. It is also a good choice for intermediate riders. It measures 5 feet 9 inches
With a layered glass construction, this board is designed to last for a long time. The rolled edges and concave hull, meanwhile, allow it to provide riders with a smooth and easy ride. The concave deck likewise provides superior grip to its users. It comes with three removable fins; one measures 2.4 inches, while the other two are 1.5 inches.
Driftsun Throwdown Wakesurf Board
This 4 foot 8 inch long surf style board is great for novice and intermediate riders. Experienced riders will also appreciate it for the customized quad fin set up. Made from EPS core with natural wood stringer, it is custom-shaped and hand-finished with epoxy.
The board’s dual concave base makes it very responsive, while its low rail and the rolled edges give it maximum stability. Aside from being stable, it is also relatively easy to use, so this board is ideal for novice and intermediate riders. It is also strong enough to hold riders who weigh up to 250 pounds.
This board can let you carve and cruise easily. It is also forgiving enough for you to hone your skills. Overall, this is a highly versatile, stable, and easy-to-use board.
Phase 5 Prop Wakesurf Board
Lightweight and built well, this wakesurf board from Phase 5 features a single twin fin setup. It has been one of the best-selling models for Phase 5 for more than a decade. Measuring 54 inches long, 20 inches wide, and about an inch thick, the Prop weighs 10 pounds. It is ideal for novice riders, especially those who are shorter than 6’2”. The weight capacity is 190 pounds.
The two-fin setup of this wakesurf board allows users to have complete control. The board is also quick and agile thanks to its carbon lining with aluminum and glass weave.
Hyperlite Broadcast 2018
The Hyperlite Broadcast is a surf style board that measures 4 feet 8 inches long. While this is a relatively short size, it provides a large surface area as it is compression molded. It also has double edge rails, enabling users to grip well, especially when performing stunts.
This board features a swallow tail that serves as a pivot for sharp handling. The tail also adds float for better speed. Its dual concave base, meanwhile, enhances tracking and the stability of the board.
Hyperlite Byerly 2017 Buzz Wakesurf BWF
This board is an attempt to bring the best qualities of surf and skim style boards together. Its shape is crafted by Butch and regarded as one of the best in terms of speed and maneuverability in the line-up of Byerly models. It is ideal for novice and even experienced riders.
Available in two sizes—48 inches and 52 inches—this board is built with durashell technology. The larger board is ideal for novice and intermediate riders while the smaller model is best suited for experienced riders. It also features a tri-fin system that is fully customizable.
Liquid Force Super Tramp Wakesurfer
Rounding out our list is this hybrid style wakesurf board from Liquid Force. It is perfect for trick riding. It comes in three sizes—51, 55, and 59 inches—with a foam core for higher air time.
Designed and endorsed by international wakesurf coach Dominic Lagace, this board is solid yet nimble. The shape features a fuller nose and tail compared with other skims. This shape gives the board the speed, responsiveness, and stability that many riders are looking for.
Because it comes in different sizes, this model gives you plenty of options, depending on your skills and riding experience. Its lightweight design and solid core also make it an ideal board for performing tricks.
Wakesurf Board Styles
Before getting into the best wakesurf boards available, let’s look at the three styles of wakesurf boards: surf, skim, and hybrid. The surf style board is arguably the most popular. It is the best style for beginners because it is stable and able to generate speed much quicker.
The skim style, on the other hand, is typically smaller than a surf style and thus easier to maneuver. This is the type of wakesurf board you’d want to have if you want to perform tricks behind a boat. The hybrid style, as the name suggests, offers the best features of surf and skim style boards.
Other Things to Consider when Shopping for a Wakesurf Board
There are other things you should be looking for when shopping for a wakesurf board. One is the rail or the edges of the board. This can affect the amount of water flowing past the board. Boards with a thinner rail tend to be more responsive and easier to turn, while those with thicker rails require more pressure for turning.
The fin should also be considered when shopping for a wakesurf board. This part of the board affects the quality of the ride. There are four options to choose from. The single fin offers superior stability and control. It’s best for surfing on large waves. The twin fin, on the other hand, offers a fun and exciting ride and is thus best suited for surfing on smaller waves.
The third type of fin is the thruster, or three-finned board. The central fin provides superior control, while the two other fins generate speed. The quad fin, on the other hand, also offers fast riding. It also suited for big waves.
You should also consider the rail of the board as this can affect how the board rides in and out of turns. A thin and sharp rail gives a board more speed. On the other hand, a thick and round rail makes a board more stable. Generally speaking, most surf style boards have a full rail. Skim style boards, meanwhile, have hard rails for easier spins. Blended rails are found on most hybrid style boards and offer more stability to users.
The length of the board can also affect your buying decision. If you are a novice rider, you’d want a long wakesurf board as they are typically slower and more stable. They can also give you more surface area to work on. Meanwhile, shorter boards are best for lighter and advanced riders because they are more agile and maneuverable.