Performance Ski & Surf // Photo: Anthony Monaco

Source: wakeboardingmag.com

Yeah, we know. You’ve got options. But there are some rules about buying new gear that you should follow, and some common misconceptions you should avoid. If used correctly, these should put you in your best ride ever.

Wakeboards

Do your homework. Pick three wakeboards that you think may fit your ability and style. From there, your local shop can help narrow down the search. Remember, you get what you pay for. In no way are we saying you have to buy the most expensive board on the market. Buying a wakeboard that fits you perfectly is the key and will show when you hit the water. A board and boots that fit your entire posse are nice to have, but if you’re looking for high performance, get a board that fits you specifically. Your friends will just have to deal with it or go out and get their own, which is what we recommend. You don’t all go to the skate park or mountain and share the same board, right?

Common misconception: Three-stage wakeboards get more pop than continuous-rocker boards. If you think you’re not getting enough pop out of your board because it’s continuous, it’s not the board — it’s you. Sorry, but it’s the truth. Three-stage and continuous both have their advantages. Pros have been riding both for years. Your wake and the way you ride decide which one you need.

Wakeboard Boots

Boots are a huge part of wakeboarding and have probably improved more than any other product in the last 10 years. Don’t get set on any type until you try them, though. Nobody’s feet are alike, so take some time and wear them around the shop.

Common misconception: My open-toe wakeboard boots are fine. Try out a pair of closed-toe wakeboard boots on the water, then go back and try open-toes. You’ll be amazed. If you prefer open-toe boots, make sure the support goes all the way over your toes.

Wakeskates

Decks have come a long way now and your options are way broader than they used to be. Grip tape versus foam tops and wood versus composite construction will be debated forever. If you come from a skateboard background, you will most likely prefer grip and wood.

Common misconception: Wood doesn’t hold up. The type of riding will determine how long your board holds up. Hitting rails will break down any board in a matter of time. Wood just provides a different feel from composite construction.

Graphics

Although these usually don’t affect how the board rides, they do add steeze, so when you’re having an off day you’ll at least look good.

Drinking at the boat show

We’ve always agreed this can provide a great time, but when you head to your local show this winter take it seriously until you get your hands on some goods. OK, that doesn’t sound like any fun. So maybe just stick to beer, not booze.

Words: Silas Thurman and James Balzer Photo: Anthony Monaco

After a little bribing we finally got Ken Gremillion to agree to be a part of the 2010 Featured Rider Series. Ken is from Monroe, Louisiana (the original home of Louisiana Spring Fling),  he is married with 3 awesome children. Ken has been super supportive of Louisiana Wakeboarding and wakeboarding in general, thank you Ken for all of your positive support and feedback, we really appreciate it.  Ken has been in the wake scene for some time now and definitely witnessed the growth and development, if you ever catch up with Ken i’m sure he can elaborate more on this subject! Check out Kens interview below.

Name: Ken Gremillion

Age: 36 years old (5/3/73)

Location: Monroe, Louisiana near the Ouachita River

Board setup: CWB Faction with Faction bindings

Sponsors: LouisianaWakeboarding.com and Swamp Sports, a division of B&L Marine
(not offically, but I like to plug LWC and Swamp Sports every chance I get)

Rope Length and boat speed: 70’ at 23mph

At what age did you get into wakeboarding? We didn’t actually use numbers back then. We just laid rocks out on the ground to signify how many summers we had been through. I think I had been through about 20-22 summers.

How did you get into wakeboarding? Oh, God, where do I begin? My dad forced me into waterskiing when I was about 10 or 11. By age 12, I was a skier; my own slalom, ski gloves, etc. Around age 14 I got hooked on kneeboarding (shove the comments, it was once considered cool). Sometime during my late teens, my kneeboard buddies and I rented a “skurfer” from Gus Campbell Watersports. We hated it and claimed that crap would never catch on. A couple of years later, I bought a used HO “Hyper-Lite” Wake Series Skurfer just for the hell of it, been hooked ever since.

Do you remember your first board setup? If so, what was it? Ha, as I’ve already said, it was an HO “Hyper-Lite” Wake Series Skurfer; 1991 model to be exact. I’m pretty sure that model is credited as being THE first compression molded “wakeboard”. It had fixed straps that could be fixed for left foot forward or right foot forward. The directional board came with 3 huge ass fins on the tail, no fins on the tip. I found that by removing the 3 fins and putting a smaller fin in the middle made the board more forgiving. I eventually drilled a hole near the tip and placed a front fin. It sucked by today’s standards, but provided me with many hours of enjoyment, and countless hours of pain.

What exactly do you like about wakeboarding? It’s one thing that the whole family can enjoy, and it’s good exercise.

Favorite place to ride? Well, that’s got to be the absolute best place to ride on the face of the Earth, the Ouachita River.

Favorite boat? Why? I really like my Moomba LSV, but it’s hard to say any one boat is my favorite. I guess I’ve never found a boat that I would call my favorite.

Cable wakeboarding is getting popular, what are your thoughts onparks? Do you prefer cable or boat? I’ve never ridden cables. Guess I might would if given the chance and my wife’s not around. After my ass had a misunderstanding with a slider a few years ago, she has banned me from hitting any slider, kicker, funbox, or other hard obstacles. With obstacles being out, cables would kinda be pointless.

Best Wakeboarder? That’s a tough question. You could mean best right now, best ever, most innovative……. Hmmm, of course, Parks is phenomenal, and is likely one of the best if not the best so far. I know I’ll have several people disagree with that, but regardless of how you view the dude, he’s got skill.

Favorite Wakeboarder? Finally, and easy question to answer…….Doryn is my favorite wakeboarder. With Gerry Nunn running her a distant second. Gerry is one of those guys who has been in the sport for ages, and never really stood out. I pick Gerry due to his willingness to openly display his love for Jesus.

So, are you like one of those “Jesus Freaks” or something? Yeah. I’ve really found comfort in seeking Him over the past couple of years.

Favorite people to ride with? Over the years, I’ve had the opportunity to ride with several pro wakeboarders including Sean O’Brien, Shaun Murray, Gerry Nunn, Andrew Adkinson, and others. That was fun, and all the guys I mentioned are cool to hang out with. However, my favorite people to ride with are Doryn and all the people who call me their friend.

What is your best result in you wakeboard career? If you haven’t competed, what is your best trick accomplishment? I placed first in the intermediate division a few times when the Southworths were organizing competitions in Louisiana. As far as tricks go, it seems that when I was younger, every time I would begin to step up my riding, I would be plagued by some type of injury that would knock me back down. Now, I just say screw it, a new trick just isn’t worth the pain my body goes through when I take a hard fall.

Craziest thing you’ve ever done on a wakeboard? I ollied a gator in Moon Lake once. Well not once, actually several times until the gator got pissed and left.

What, if any, legacy would you like to leave to future wakeboarders if given the opportunity? Wakeboarding is not about competition. It’s not about how big you go, how difficult of trick you can land, nor what kind of boat or board you ride. Wakeboarding is about having fun and enjoying yourself. Never push yourself nor others too far. When wakeboarding ceases to be fun and becomes work, what’s the point?