Learning to wakeboard is difficult. The truth is that it gets easier the more time you do it, though. The more time you spend on your board, the better you will be, and the more fun you will have riding.
Here are the best wakeboards for beginners or anyone still learning to ride. As a beginner, there are wakeboards and packages specifically designed to help reduce your learning curve and make sure you have fun from the moment you step on your wakeboard. The best detail of them all is that they are relatively inexpensive.
So let’s get right to it.
The best wakeboards for beginners 2023
- Best Under $300: Liquid Force Trip Wakeboard 2023
- Best Under $200: O’Brien System Wakeboard 2023
- Best Wakeboard and Bindings for Beginners: Ronix Vault 2023 Board With District Bindings
- Best Under $400 (With Bindings): Hyperlite State 2.0 Wakeboard With Remix Bindings 2023
- Best Wakeboards for Women Under $500 (With Bindings): Ronix Krush Wakeboard With Halo Bindings 2023
Best Under $300
Liquid Force Trip Wakeboard 2023
This wakeboard has been around for 23 years, and there is a good reason for it. It is perfect for beginners just learning to ride. The wakeboard’s shape makes for softer landings, stable, easy rides, and add will still give you an extra boost off the wake.
The shape of the board is an Aggressive Continuous Rocker. A typical continuous rocker is a smooth continuous curve throughout the length of the wakeboard. This particular rocker line has a slightly steeper angle than the regular, continuous rocker board profile. The benefit is that you get the easy-to-ride, catch-free benefits of the continuous rocker while offering more of an angle to give you an extra boost into the wake.
The Liquid Force Trip wakeboard will last you for years. These wakeboards are made with a PU foam core. This material is responsive, lightweight, and insanely durable.
The wakeboard’s base has two different concave shapes worked into it, so water is funneled from the nose through the tail. The benefit here is that it reduces friction while riding, improving the stability and floating properties of the board. An added benefit of the wakeboard’s concave is that it disperses water when you land, making for more comfortable, softer landings.
A key feature that makes the Force beginner-friendly is its variable lifted edge. The Force has a sharper edge in its nose and tail. This helps the wakeboard’s edge cut into the water with less friction, so you will gain speed. Through the center (the belly) of the board, the edge is more rounded and smooth. This makes the wakeboard less catchy and stable. It is an easy deck to ride.
The Liquid Force Trip has four molded-in fiberglass fins and two center fins that can be removed. The removable fins give these wakeboards and added level of stability and make it easier to steer the wakeboard. As you progress, you can remove them, and you will find that the wakeboard is easier to transition and edge into the wake.
If you are looking for the best boat wakeboard under $300, get the Liquid Force Trip.
Pros
- Easy to ride boat board
- Additional Pop from the Aggressive Continuous Rocker Shape
- Two removable fins / four molded in fins – offer an added level of grip
Cons
- Missing some of the tech features from some more expensive wakeboards.
Sizes: 130cm, 135cm, 139cm. 144cm
| Board Size | Rider Weight |
|---|---|
| 130 cm | 60lbs – 130lbs |
| 135 cm | 100lbs – 170lbs |
| 139 cm | 140lbs – 220lbs |
| 144 cm | 170lbs – 240lbs |
Mount Pattern: M6
Fins: 6
Editor’s Rating: 
Best Under $200
O’Brien System Wakeboard 2023
The O’Brien System is an affordable wakeboard that still has the exceptional quality a beginner needs. This wakeboard is perfect for the beginner who isn’t quite sure they want to dive into the sport, and they need something to learn on without breaking the bank. This is that wakeboard. While it doesn’t have some of the more high-tech carbon fiber features more advanced riders look for in a wakeboard, it has everything you need as a beginner. This deck has the continuous rocker wakeboard profile. This means the curvature of the board is consistent throughout the length of the deck. You will notice it when you look at the side of the wakeboard. It looks like one consistent curve. That is also how this wakeboard rides. It is consistent and predictable. There are no harsh angles or sharp edges that will take some time to get used to riding. The core of the wakeboard was made with Obrien’s Feather Core. Obrien used a specialty Polyurethane (PU) foam to keep the board light. The lighter board makes it easier to maneuver while riding and learning spin tricks in the air. The base of the wakeboard has grab rail channels. This helps the wakeboard float, reduces friction while riding, and it makes it easier to grab your board in the air. The O’Brien System also has two removable center fins. As you are just learning, you will want the stability that these fins offer. Once you get more used to wakeboarding, you may opt to remove them and have an easier time connecting your turns. As you edge more sharply into the wake. If you are looking for a cheap, entry level wakeboard, get the O’Brien System.
Pros
- Its price. This is usually priced lower than $199.99.
- Easy to ride
- Two removable center fins
Cons
- It doesn’t have the additional pop features more expensive decks have. (You won’t need them when just starting out.)
Sizes: 125cm, 135cm, 140cm
| Board Size | Rider Weight |
|---|---|
| 125 cm | 60lbs – 150 lbs |
| 135 cm | 120lbs – 200 lbs |
| 140 cm | 170lbs – 230lbs |
Mount Pattern: M6
Fins: 2
Editor’s Rating: 
Best Wakeboard With Bindings Package for Beginners
Ronix Vault 2023 Wakeboard With District Bindings
When you are just beginning to wakeboard, you are going to need a wakeboard and bindings. This is a package with both. The bundle includes the Ronix Vault Wakeboard with the Ronix District Bindings. The whole package is on sale for $450 right now. At that price, it is a steal. If you’re looking for the best wakeboards for beginners and need bindings to, this is the package to go with. The Ronix Vault is the perfect wakeboard for beginners to learn on because it has features making it easy to ride, and it will give you an extra boost of air off the wake. That extra boost will make it easier for you to learn air tricks. This wakeboard is a 3-stage rocker profile that means the nose and the tail curve upward while the belly of the board is flatter. The shape of the wakeboard is where your extra air will come from. As this wakeboard hits the wake, the sharp angle of the nose or tail will launch you. The Ronix Vault is ridiculously simple to carve with. It has an asymmetrical rail line that makes edging toe side and heel side easier. These wakeboards are light and durable. The core of the Vault is built with PU foam, just like most of the other wakeboards on this list. Ronix includes a six-month warranty, so if your wakeboard gives you any trouble, just contact them, and they will replace it. The base of the wakeboard has two fiberglass fins. That fin setup is perfect for beginners because it offers enough stability without adding a lot of friction (so your arms will thank you). The Ronix District bindings this package comes with are also very beginner-friendly. The bindings come in various size ranges, so if your foot is smaller than a men’s 11, you will get the smaller size. If your foot is larger than an 11, get the larger one. The District bindings are comfortable while still offering the stability a beginner wakeboarder needs. These have an open-toe design with added j-bars that will comfortably hold your heel in place. The liner of the boot has a comfortable 3d molded memory foam tongue. The entire binding is comfortable, and it will last you for years to come. If you are looking for the best wakeboard package for the money, this is the one I recommend that you buy.
Pros
- An inexpensive package of a wakeboard with bindings that’s perfect for beginners learning to ride.
- Designed to launch you / added pop
- Easy to ride / learn heel side and toe side turns quicker
- Two fin design
- 3 stage rocker profile
Cons
- The fins aren’t removable.
Sizes: 134cm, 139cm, 144cm
Mount Pattern: M6
Fins: 2
Editor’s Rating: 
Note: This package is selling out online. Here is another package with last year’s board. At this price, it is an incredible deal.
Best Beginner Wakeboard Package (With Bindings) Under $400
Hyperlite State 2.0 Wakeboard With Remix Bindings 2023
The Hyperlite State 2.0 Wakeboard is also on our Best Wakeboards for 2023 list. This is the whole package I recommend for beginners. It comes with the State 2.0 board and the Hyperlite Remix bindings. With this, you get a wakeboard and bindings for less than $400, and that is an epically good deal. The State 2.0 is another easy-to-ride asymmetrical wakeboard. There is a lot of tech features built into these wakeboards specifically to help you have fun learning to ride. The rocker profile of the wakeboard is an abrupt continuous rocker. It has all of the easy-to-ride properties of one continuous rocker line, with a slightly sharper angle to help launch you into the air. Check out an overview video of the 2023 Hyperlite State 2.0 here. The Hyperlite State 2.0 has four molded-in fins and two that are removable. As you are just learning, you will want to leave the two center fins in. They give you a level of stability that will make the board easier to ride. As you progress, you can experiment with removing the fins. Once the fins are out, you will have less friction in the water, which will let you go faster. Think of it as the ability to keep training wheels on your bike. The State 2.0 is an easy wakeboard to learn air tricks with. This board has a unique channel design that makes landing on it easier and softer on your knees. The board is durable and lightweight. Hyperlite combines foam and traditionally woven fiberglass to make you a board that will maintain its level of pop year after year. For this package, we recommend going with the Hyperlite Remix Wakeboard Bindings. These are open-toe bindings that you can share with your whole crew. What makes these bindings beginner-friendly is that they are comfortable. They are 3d molded, include a soft EVA foam, and are designed to reduce abrasions some other bindings would give you. When you use a comfortable binding, you will be able to ride more. When you ride more, you will get better. If you are learning to ride, looking to progress quickly, and want to keep your entire board set up under $400, go with the Hyperlite State 2.0 and Remix Bindings. This package has one of the best wakeboards for beginners along with the right set of bindings to keep you progressing.
Pros
- Easy to ride and turn
- Additional pop
- Durable wakeboard
- Lightweight
- The fins won’t wear down easily
Cons
- Not the fastest board. However, it is great to learn.
Sizes: 130cm, 135cm, 140cm, 145cm
| Board Size | Rider Weight |
|---|---|
| 130 cm | 60lbs – 115lbs |
| 135 cm | 140lbs+ |
| 140cm | 150lbs+ |
| 145cm | 160lbs+ |
Mount Pattern: M6
Fins: 2
Editor’s Rating: 
Best Women’s Beginner Wakeboard With Bindings Package Under $500
Ronix Krush Wakeboard With Halo Bindings 2023
The Ronix Krush Wakeboard is the perfect deck for girls who want to learn how to ride. This is a beginner-friendly board that was designed specifically to make wakeboarding easier to learn. It shares many of the same qualities as the Ronix Vault, so it has the easy-to-ride shape while still giving you that extra boost of air. The entire board package is less than $450, and at that price, it is an incredibly good deal. The Krush has a mellow 3-stage rocker line. This is where the board gets its extra pop from. The 3-stage rocker has a flatter base with an angled nose and tail. As the angled nose hits the wake, you will get launched into the air higher than you will on some other beginner-friendly wakeboards. The entire shape of the board was designed to help you learn to ride and carve with. The Krush has an asymmetrical edge design. The toe side rail is thinner, while the heel side rail is more rounded and full. The result is you will have a ridiculously simple time learning to ride and connect your turns on the Ronix Krush wakeboard. While the Krush shares many similarities with the Ronix Vault, the Krush was built with a flex pattern that is specifically designed for the ladies. That said, guys could ride this board, just like women can ride the Vault. The Krush is made of the same foam core and fiberglass as the Vault, so it is also a durable, lightweight board. The base of the board has two molded-in fiberglass fins. These add the stability new riders need without adding the drag that slows you down. This package comes with the Ronix Halo Bindings. The bindings are a medium flex open toe bindings that are designed to be comfortable and soften your landings. The Halo bindings have the proper support while placing a focus on comfort. If you are a girl looking for a good deal on a beginner-friendly board, go with the Krush wakeboard and Halo binding package. This package has one of the best wakeboards for beginners and the perfect set of bindings for less than $450. Also check out our best women’s wakeboards award list for 2023.
Pros
- An inexpensive bundle of a board with bindings that’s perfect for beginners just learning to ride.
- Designed to launch you / added pop
- One of the easiest to ride wakeboards for beginners / learn heel side and toe side turns quicker
- Two fin design
- Three stage rocker profile
Cons
- The fins aren’t removable.
Sizes: 130cm, 135cm, 140cm
| Board Size | Rider Weight |
|---|---|
| 130 cm | 60lbs – 125lbs |
| 135 cm | 120lbs – 160lbs |
| 140cm | 150lbs – 190lbs |
Mount Pattern: M6
Fins: 2
Editor’s Rating: 
When you are just beginning to learn how to wakeboard, you are going to need the right gear. If you try to learn on faulty equipment or not quite right for your skill level, you won’t stay out on the water for as long. If you ride less, you will not progress, and if you don’t progress, you will probably quit faster.
So the goal is to find the right wakeboard that will keep you having fun. It would be best to have a wakeboard that gets you excited to ride whenever you look at it. When you are just starting, look for boards specifically designed for a beginner to intermediate rider. If you ignore that detail, you could wind up with a wakeboard with some aggressive edges that catch as you turn. Those aggressive edges have their benefit for sending advanced riders flying off the wake. However, they can make learning to ride more challenging than it needs to be. Getting a more aggressive is something you work up to, so you need a perfect wakeboard for beginners. You need one of these.
These are the best wakeboards for beginners in 2023.
- Liquid Force Trip Wakeboard 2023
- O’Brien System Wakeboard 2023
- Ronix Vault 2023 Board With District Bindings
- Hyperlite State 2.0 Wakeboard With Remix Bindings 2023
- Ronix Krush Wakeboard With Halo Bindings 2023
Learn More In Our Other Wakeboard Guides:
- The Best Wakeboards for 2023
- The Beginners FAQ Guide to Wakeboard
- Wakeboard Size Calculator
- Best Wakeboard Boots and Bindings
- Best Wakesurf Boards for 2023 In All Categories
Steve Weber is an avid snowboarder and skateboarder. He has been snowboarding for 26 years, skateboarding for 20, and is always looking for a new board sport to try out. When he is not riding or skating, he runs a marketing agency. Board of the World is Steve’s blog for skateboard and snowboard gear reviews. The blog’s goal is to help people find the right board for them and encourage people to have fun outside.