Beginner Wakeboards
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 New Competition Zone Red Junior CZ Beginner Wakeboard 743011 Dual Fin  US $229.99
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Is your child ready for a kids wakeboard?
But how do you fit a wakeboard to a child? Does size matter? And what about wakeboard boots? This article will discuss answers to these questions so your son or daughter can have a great time on the water.
Kids Wakeboards Are Designed with Smaller Riders In Mind
Of course, you'll want to start with your kids' safety foremost.
If you're starting your child in wakeboarding, you'll want to make sure that he can swim and is comfortable in the water. Children have been as young as 2 or 3 when they started wakeboarding, but you'll want to make sure they're ready for it.
A life vest is imperative. Make sure that it fits snugly.
Kids wakeboards are typically square-ended, since this offers more stability in the water. After your child masters this board, then you can move up to a board that is shaped more like a skateboard, which is tipped at both ends instead of square.
Wakeboards are made of plastic or fiberglass. The plastic boards are much cheaper, but they are not designed for long years of service and may break before long.
A fiberglass board will cost more money initially, but if your family includes more than one child, or if you have friends with children who like to wakeboard, then you may want to go with the fiberglass board for longevity.
A kids wakeboard is typically about 120 cm in length. Adult wakeboards are generally sized by weight, not height, but kids wakeboards are fairly standardized unless you have a very large or very small child.
Kids Wakeboard Boots
These are more important than the wakeboard itself.
After all, if your child's feet hurt in his wakeboard boots, then he won't enjoy getting up on the board.
Wakeboard boots are generally sized in a group. For example, size M may include kids sizes 4 - 8. This will be noted on the boots, usually in this manner: M (4 - 8).
Wakeboard boots come in open-toe and closed-toe designs. Open-toe boots allow more breathing room for toes and can allow use from multiple boarders, since they aren't so size-specific.
Closed-toe boots will give the boarder greater ability to do maneuvers and tricks, since they fit the foot more snugly.
However, since kids grow really fast, you may want to consider an open-toe boot to allow for changing shoe sizes. Once your children are proficient at wakeboarding, then you can consider whether you want to upgrade board and boots.
Wakeboard Boots Have a "Break-In" Period
There is a "break-in" period with new boots. They will initially be snug, which is okay as long as they are not too tight to begin with.
Some people will buy lubricant specially designed for wakeboard boots. This is a good idea since it can make the boots more flexible and thus more comfortable early on. Lubricant can also make the boots easier to put on in the beginning until they break-in.
Don't use soap as lubricant replacement! It can cause your boots to crack.
Boot fit is important since your child's feet will be doing a lot of things on his kids wakeboard. There's more to wakeboarding than just stance! If your child wants to try tricks, then his boots need to allow his feet and ankles to make small adjustments without chafing or other pain.
New boots can be flexible or on the stiffer side. This is personal preference. Just be aware that they will continue to develop more flex during the break-in period.
Wakeboard Bindings
Kids wakeboards, as well as adults boards, come with several holes in order to determine the most comfortable stance to attach bindings. Many people start with the holes one in from the ends, but this again is personal preference.
One retailer suggests to have someone give your child a gentle push from behind to see which foot he steps forward with to prevent falling. Do this a few times. Whichever foot he places forward should be the foot that goes in the front of his kids wakeboard.
A wider stance is better for the beginner to allow for greater control and stability. As your child progresses, the stance can be changed since the holes on the wakeboard allow for small adjustments.
For an adult or kids wakeboard, the stance will not be parallel but with feet slightly angled outward. If your child says that he feels pain or pressure on the outside of his feet or on his knees, then you'll probably need to angle the bindings outward more.
If your child is ready to get out on the water, then a kids wakeboard may be a great idea for your family's trips to the lake!
Olivia loves home and family, and has been writing about her experiences for more than 25 years. To enjoy more of her material, please see Kids Wakeboards and Wakeboard Gloves.
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