Wakeboarding is a water sport that allows its practitioners to execute crazy, drowning gravity-defying maneuvers and stunts. It is what some would call the relative of snowboarding, waterskiing, skateboarding and surfing. It has grown to become one of the largest water sports being practiced by lots of water sports enthusiasts around the globe.
Wakeboarding was inspired by surfers who in the 1980s, began to append themselves to the rear of boats with routes. It became a craze that grew in hype and stature, and soon drew its own practitioners. And it was its practitioners that began to design unique boards for wakeboarding. They built their boards with more emphasis on balance and power and speed. As these all helped to create huge waves as it is pushed along by a power boat.
Wakeboarding became one of the world's best recognized extreme sports in the 1990s. It has now grown from its humble status as alternative sports to one that has a cult followership. It now has its own unique gear, professional organizations and bodies, TV coverage and of course, its own competitions.
Tony Finn was the person who created the first wakeboard, known as the Surfer. It was then marked in the year 1985. It looked exactly like a surfboard, with its pointed nose all that round tail feature, and surfboard-esque find. It became quite popular in the watersports family and industry. This hype promoted the owner of HO Sports, a water ski maker, Herb O'Brien to create his own wakeboard known as Hyperlite.
The wakeboard's design is one that allows for easy maneuvering of the board, and this has enticed lots of adrenaline seeking people to the sport. It is really a great sport that risk taking folks love, as a result of its daring nature.
The boards used in making the wakeboards, are now about 5ft longer and 2ft wider at the center. It also has a tail and a blunt nose, a fin or more fins that allows for easy maneuvering. Virtually all wakeboards are built with either fiberglass or graphite. They have features such as bindings that are appended to their boards, in order to keep the wakeboarders feet firmly planed on the board. The twin tip wakeboards are also now in vogue, as they help for easy movement in various directions.
Wakeboards actually have varying performance levels in as much as they might have the same semblance. So it is very important to know how much pop a board can offer, as well as the edge it keeps, and also its ability in landing. Not forgetting its maneuvering capabilities too. As you get to ski / skateboard shop to get your wakeboard, ask the shop attendees to allow you test ride the wakeboard. That way it will be better for you to find the best kind of wakeboard for you. You can generally get your own wakeboard at prices ranging from $ 250 to $ 850.