newb here...

lowlife_slim · Ollie Joined: 15 Sep 2010 Posts: 55 City: Houston

first of all let me say thank you for having a forum devoted specifically to wakeskating. i am just getting into the sport, i have a lot to learn and this is a great resource.

i'm 6'2" about 180lbs. i have skated pretty much my whole life, and done a little kneeboarding back in the day. i recently got up on a wakeskate, first time i ever tried standing on anything in the water, and i'm hooked. i love the way it relates to skateboarding.

i'm looking into boards, i have a friend who works for a distributor and can get me a 30% discount, so my options are limited to what they sell. looked at a few Liquid Force entry level boards, and am kind of set on getting a Byerly. either the Blend or the Revival 42"

according to sizing charts i need a 42", would a 41" just not work well? i am not so much interested in big wake to wake tricks, but would like a good spinning or flipping board. the bi-level seems more solid and stable, but the Revival i assume would flip better.

i read through a lot of threads and got some scattered input, so i am assuming it's all just particular preference. just wondering if anyone would see a problem starting out on a bi-level, and if a 41" will pose problems for my size. thanks...

mergeleft3 · Backside 180 Joined: 31 Aug 2004 Posts: 673 City: Orlando

You will be fine with that size board.

knox · Kickflip Joined: 14 Jun 2007 Posts: 4693 City: Gainesville

Welcome to wakeskating.com Very Happy

I'm 6'3" 150 pounds, and I have a lot of difficulty riding a board as big as a 42". Personally I like anywhere around 39" to 40", so you'll definitely be fine with a 41". I would not recommend a bi-level, especially as your first board. ESPECIALLY the Blend. I can't speak too much for it because I haven't ridden it, but I've ridden last years model and I didn't like the shape at all, as well as its heavy weight. I haven't ridden the Revival, but in my opinion it is a lot easier to progress on a concave deck than a bi-level.

Hope this helps, cheers!

lowlife_slim · Ollie Joined: 15 Sep 2010 Posts: 55 City: Houston

that's exactly the kind of feedback i am looking for, thanks guys. in the sizing specs i read, the weight was the concern in the skate size. so yall think a 40-41" board at 180lbs is okay?

the other board i was interested in was the Byerly Heritage 40", the Indian graphic skate. it doesnt have any channels, but comes standard with 2 blunt fins. i plan on riding fins, the board i got up on didnt have any and was pretty squirrely. anybody care to explain their preferences on boards with channels?

my other option outside of the Liquid Force lineup is the Hyperlite Catalyst 42". it seems to be setup for big air wake to wake tricks as well, anybody ride one of these?

honestbaagel · Ollie Joined: 05 Aug 2010 Posts: 67 City: Huntington

I'm 6'3" 160, my buddy is 6'1" 190, we both ride a byerly 42, no issues with size.

I would recommend starting on a flatter board until you get comfortable moving your feet around the deck. I feel like the concaveness on the byerly makes the footing a bit awkward in the beggining

Steven M · Posted: Sep 15, 2010 2:52 pm Post subject:

lowlife_slim, 41 will be fine. I'm 6' 1 or 2ish, 180lbs with a size 13 shoe and ride a 38in board. I started off on a 44 and gradually shifted.

The channels just help with the board tracking in the water.

honestbaagel · Ollie Joined: 05 Aug 2010 Posts: 67 City: Huntington

Are all wakeskaters over 6 foot, jeez this might as well be the big and tall forum Smash

POPTART · 360 flip Joined: 24 Jul 2007 Posts: 7621

knox · Kickflip Joined: 14 Jun 2007 Posts: 4693 City: Gainesville

lowlife_slim · Ollie Joined: 15 Sep 2010 Posts: 55 City: Houston

haha, big and tall. yeah, i wear a size 13 shoe as well, on skateboards this effects my deck selection big time.

so that Herritage 40" with blunt fins should do me right huh? it's not crazy concaved. i dont want to end up with a big ass boat of a board, but i also dont want some crazy ass flipper i cant control.

how fast do you guys normally pull behind a boat? my buddy has a Malibu, but has no experience pulling skaters. wedge down?

honestbaagel · Ollie Joined: 05 Aug 2010 Posts: 67 City: Huntington

POPTART, you got me, lanky as eff

lowlife_slim, anyboat I've rode behind doesnt have accurate spedometer, usually gage speed my RPM maybe 1 or 2 hundred rpm slower then a wakeboard, have got to keep the boat on plane though

Steven M · Posted: Sep 15, 2010 3:24 pm Post subject:

lowlife_slim, do you know what model he has?

For your first time out skating, somewhere between 19-23mph would be a good area to start and just go from there with the speed till you find what you like. No need to drop the wedge till you start needing.

lowlife_slim · Ollie Joined: 15 Sep 2010 Posts: 55 City: Houston

so a bit slower than a wakeboard... gotcha. any need to know tips?

lowlife_slim · Ollie Joined: 15 Sep 2010 Posts: 55 City: Houston

it' a Response...

Steven M · Posted: Sep 15, 2010 3:41 pm Post subject:

lowlife_slim, ride around regular and switch when you are first starting out, get a good feel for the board before you try and throw shuvs and bigspins.

jcoffey · Backside 180 Joined: 24 May 2008 Posts: 1339

aww a ton of incredible riders were just in Baytown, right near Houston 2 weekends ago. keep an eye out on blastwakeskatemag.com for an article about it. too bad you didnt post here a couple weeks ago, it would have been an excellent way to get introduced to the sport.

also im 6' and 190lbs and ride a 40" so definitely all preference. Smash

fastgreens · Kickflip Joined: 29 Dec 2007 Posts: 3563 City: baytown

lowlife_slim, where do you ride? cedar bayou is the wakeskate haven for the houston area.

lowlife_slim · Ollie Joined: 15 Sep 2010 Posts: 55 City: Houston

my boat pull is in Bay City, TX in the Colorado. i got another buddy with a boat on the San Bernard. those are the only 2 places i have ridden so far. literally just getting into it.

fastgreens · Kickflip Joined: 29 Dec 2007 Posts: 3563 City: baytown

lowlife_slim, welcome to wakeskating!

Evan71 · Posted: Sep 15, 2010 9:37 pm Post subject:

6'2 and i ride a 40.4!

And bi-levels arent for every on there a different creature for sure.

I have ridden the revival its a super fun concave board, i think id recomend that over the bi level although i have not ridden the bi level.