what i learned about wakeskates this summer.

goride

So since i knew i wasn't gonna be able to get out on the water that much this summer and wouldn't be able to ride consistently i figured id try out as many boards this summer as possible to figure out what i liked the most.

Here's the list:
Catalyst 112
42" byerly legacy
06 byerly
gator pro model
omen
oak team machine
vinyl
41" 484

From what I've been told and read i figured the omen and team machine would be my favorite skates. But to my surprise my two favorite skates were the 484 w/ shank fins, and the vinyl finless, which is couldn't believe myself since everyone likes to put down hyperlite and 484 so much. For my riding style i found that these boards popped the highest, were the most consistent, most forgiving, and just all around fun boards to ride.

But any of you thinking about any of these board need to remember what worked for me may not work for you. For instance, i disliked the omen because i felt like i was being dragged through the water rather than riding with the water (if that makes sense), i couldn't stick a damn thing with the omen. However, my friend drew went from riding most of the boards above to loving the omen, you could visually see a major improvement in his riding due to the board. He could land every shuv and landed his first 3 shuv on that board on his first try.

So to break it down, my opinion is that although a wakeskate wont make the skater, it will however make the skater more comfortable and give him or her more confidence in their riding. So i would suggest to anyone looking to get a new skate to get together with some other skaters and give a session or two in on their boards and find out for yourself what board works the best for you. For me i could tell because as soon as i got on the vinyl and the 484 i felt like I've been riding them for years and i had much more confidence.

The search still isn't over though. The only other skate i want to ride now is a bi-level. But in the mean time I'm gonna stick with the vinyl and keep the 484 as a back up (i paid $50 for it).

Gnarly Dancer 42 · 360 flip Joined: 21 May 2007 Posts: 5121 City: kalamazoo

its crazy how much variety you can have from one board to the next, and how differnt the ride can be.

ive always wanted to ride a bunch of differnt boards, to see what i liked best.

if i had my way, i'd try an integrity, a cassette, a New and a few other boards.

coricluster · Backside 180 Joined: 23 Apr 2007 Posts: 1826 City: berlin

i agree...i used to ride a 116 catalyst...thought i liked it but i didnt. to big. so i switched to the vinyl and i love it. i land way more stuff way more consistently. i rode ravens new ALL BLACK 4 TRAC and i hated it. its to lite. he needs to put 5 pounds of seal on that thing, but i do want to try it after that. my buddy has a karma, i cant ride it like him he likes it finless.... i dont know if i will stick wit the vinyl but i like it for now.

-=AlexXx=- · Posted: Sep 29, 2007 8:19 pm Post subject:

goride, that was a great post. Personal preferance is everything.

deepcove · Posted: Sep 29, 2007 9:13 pm Post subject:

Thats interesting you chose the 484 and Vinyl, I own 9 wakeskates and have tried many over the years and oddly enough my 484 was my skate of choice for years until I got my Vinyl. They both just seem to feel right for my style of riding.

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

integrity is good 4 me. It spins relly nice. i also like sattelyte because there is no toe hang with my size 11 foot.

goride · Posted: Sep 30, 2007 11:15 am Post subject:

i wouldnt mind trying an integrity too.

mck'n'shuvit · Pop Shuvit Joined: 07 Sep 2007 Posts: 200

Does anyone know if integrity is going to update their site soon cause id really like to look into purchasing one soon..or new models for that matter?

tad · 360 flip Joined: 07 May 2006 Posts: 5031

mck'n'shuvit ..... if you want to know the current state of integrity.. read... they are going through some changes.. expect 08'

http://www.wakeskating.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=16151&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=0

mck'n'shuvit · Pop Shuvit Joined: 07 Sep 2007 Posts: 200

thanks TAD, ...That kinda blows cause i need a board bfore i go to the projects in march with some ppl..i was thinkin about a vinyl possibly..I rode on my buddies this summer and enjoyed it but i hear the integ's are awesome for spin tricks

tad · 360 flip Joined: 07 May 2006 Posts: 5031

what are you riding right now? a vinyl is a big change from most boards.. and literally, i mean big. haha.

mck'n'shuvit · Pop Shuvit Joined: 07 Sep 2007 Posts: 200

Its my first time purchasing..i've only rode on my friends boards..THis summer was the first time i started riding

goride · Posted: Sep 30, 2007 12:15 pm Post subject:

to be honest my vinyl weights less than my oak team machine. Which i was surprised since everyone says its a tank. It may be bulk but it doesnt ride like a tank.

skipping rock · Faceplant Joined: 20 Jul 2007 Posts: 18 City: Alexandria

mck'n'shuvit The integs are killer for spin tricks they release out of the water immediatly. gorideI ve got an omen coming in a week. I dont know how much you'll like the integ if you didnt like the omen though materials are a little different but I think they are relatively the same design.
I feel like if your gonna be in this sport better get ready to be a board collector.. AAAAHHHH the neverending search for ones chariot of fire Laughing

goride · Posted: Sep 30, 2007 1:49 pm Post subject:

i think the only person worst than a wakeskater in collecting and trading are people in paintball. There are hardcore gun collectors who have multiple 1K plus guns, people get a gun, use it for a month, then trade it for something new.

PS. does anyone know how much the sst weighs? i tried searching but couldnt find anything.

nick · Posted: Sep 30, 2007 1:53 pm Post subject:

skipping rock · Faceplant Joined: 20 Jul 2007 Posts: 18 City: Alexandria

this lilchris foo man choo

ITS PROCREATION

gUESS i SHOULNT SPEAK UNTIL i RIDE THE ONE i GOT COMIN

The kicks are alot bigger though
Still wont ever replace the nicky t

hOLLA BACK FOOl sAME bAT #

tad · 360 flip Joined: 07 May 2006 Posts: 5031

nate_ · Backside 180 Joined: 11 Dec 2006 Posts: 1226 City: toronto

goride, i used to be big into that dud...i can def relate...paintball is too $$$$