Wakeboarding is increasing in popularity as an exciting, full-of-tricky-maneuvers surface water sport – and not just for the guys – for the girls as well – a fact quickly realized by wakeboard clothing, boards, footwear, accessory products, and so on.
In fact it seems that every board manufacturer now has a “female-gender” board. The Hyperlite Divine is a recognized, durable board for girls of all skill levels. The Liquid force Diva is an exuberant board for the females and O’Brien has their all-girl board suitably named, the Vixen – a slightly bigger board that lends more on-water balance – ideal for the slightly bigger frames. Just to name a few.
Keep an eye out for female-specific bindings, too – like the Liquid Force Minx. The female-specific bindings are helpful because guy’s feet are quite different from the ladies – something long-recognized by footwear manufacturers.
A good pair of board-shorts, a rash-guard and a good ladies-own lifejacket is essential waer. A ladies vest is characteristically shorter than a guys vest. Always try on the vest first before buying is the rule – to see how it shapes up to the female form.
Then there is the rope and handle. Here’s where you should invest in a wakeboard- specific rope. Do not buy ski-ropes. Ski ropes have far too much stretch built into them. As specified in other articles here, we must keep the slack out of the tow-rope line in order to pop the wake well. Line tension is everything so buy wakeboard specific tow-rope and handle. Go for comfort grip!
Now rope length is a personal preference! For beginners – girls best keep it under 20m. Go longer when you have more experience and confidence under your belt! It’ll be easier on you, initially. This is true of any beginner – regardless of gender!
When the pro-girls hit the water – such like three of wakeboarding’s top women: Melissa Marquardt, Cheryl Newton and Gretchen Hammarberg – it’s truly inspirational. Their abilities are obvious and a joy to watch. Melissa performs comfortable heelside and toeside 540’s, while Cheryl is treading a wrapped roll to blind – and Gretchen assimilates whirlybirds into her ride. It’s wakeboarding at it’s unisex best!
Guys, the girls have their own grace and style and they’re a lot of fun to be with and to watch. Be kind to them and make room always – for the girls!
