New Wakeskater Board Question

Phatcamaro · Faceplant Joined: 15 Jul 2012 Posts: 2 City: Pottsboro

New to wake skating not Wakeboarding, knee, etc. just purchased a board and it has the rubber top (not grip tape). Will this prevent me from learning tricks and to be able to Ollie? I know grip tape on a skateboard helps to Ollie didn't know if it's needed in wake skating or if you use the water to pop you up.

Thanks,

electricsnow · cassette Joined: 14 Sep 2003 Posts: 10751 City: Jefferton

You'll be fine. The rubber grip is something that makes the board more versatile, as in people who don't have shoes could still ride it (though I wouldn't do that because of the fins). It's also a more forgiving material.

GnarShredd · Backside 180 Joined: 24 Jan 2009 Posts: 1529 City: Seattle

Phatcamaro, Nope, they serve the same purpose (provide grip to the board for your feet) but just feel a bit different from one another. Some people like foam, most people like grip. You're more likely to see griptape on skates since it more mimics the feel of skateboarding but foam definitely won't hold you back from learning and you may actually like it more personally.

w@kelife · Ollie Joined: 07 May 2012 Posts: 91 City: Tavernier

Ive never ridden one with rubber top but i feel like if you wear shoes you would slip a bit with the wet rubber on rubber.

Phatcamaro · Faceplant Joined: 15 Jul 2012 Posts: 2 City: Pottsboro

What did you mean by "you would t b/c of the the fins"?

Zero. · Posted: Jul 16, 2012 6:22 pm Post subject:

electricsnow · cassette Joined: 14 Sep 2003 Posts: 10751 City: Jefferton

You can slice your foot on the fin. A long time ago I saw a photo of someone who had a sliced foot and they were riding a sponge, which was a soft crappy board by liquid force that was made to look safe.

No matter what, I personally would wear shoes, but that's just me.

GnarShredd · Backside 180 Joined: 24 Jan 2009 Posts: 1529 City: Seattle

Zero., Same for me. I thought foam top decks were way too sticky for my liking.

With that said, Phatcamaro, you may like it yourself. If you have an opportunity to try boards out before you buy one do it but overall, foam won't hold you back vs. grip in the beginning.

GOLD!en · Backside 180 Joined: 05 Feb 2007 Posts: 505 City: Edwards

Foam is so sticky! But at least it doesn't take skin off the entire side of your leg when you fall...

texasT · Posted: Jul 17, 2012 9:57 am Post subject:

my first deck was a hyperlite scape and it had a foam top. i didnt use it much since it split the first season on the water but i do remember the rubber being sticky. i did like riding barefoot tho. sometimes its just fun to be barefoot.

really want one of those carpet top collectives. look fun as hell

frankycouplepuphs · Backside 180 Joined: 04 Aug 2006 Posts: 542 City: Decatur

If a bunch of new kids are going to be messing around with it, foam is probably best. I found that everyone will not have shoes/same size feet etc. I know that there are plenty of chicks that skate, and are very legit, but every girl/lady/woman/granny/female/human I ever pulled always went barefoot on foam rather than wearing shoes. They were not into wakeskating, just casual riders that wanted to see what the whole skateboarding on the water thing was all about.

My first skate was a hyperlite catalyst with the foam that had raised channels on it. It locked my feet on like I was strapped in.......to the point that my feet would ache because I could not wiggle them aroung much to find a comfortable position. A lot of this may have to do with the fact that I'm not any good. With griptape I have always been able to move my feet around no problem, while still having a good grip to the board.

My $.02