How to set up your wakeboard

We get a lot of wakeboards through the store that are set up wrong. Fins on backwards, boots on mismatched inserts, angles that do not match side to side. None of it is hard to fix, and all of it holds your riding back. This matters most if you have bought a board and boot package from us — the board and the boots ship separately, so the setup is yours to do.

Reuben on wakeboard fins, stance width and boot angle — 3 minutes 4 seconds.

Setting the board up, step by step

Flip the board over and check the fins

Turn the board base-up. On the removable centre fins, the pointy, shallow end of the fin should point towards the centre of the board, and the thicker section should point towards the end of the board. Do the same check on the removable side fins.

Make sure the fins are symmetrical

Both ends of the board should mirror each other. A wakeboard is a twin tip and symmetry is what lets you ride switch and keep progressing — an asymmetric fin setup quietly caps what you can do on the board.

Find the inserts and pick your stance width

Flip the board back over. You will see three inserts per boot on the top deck, or four on some boards. That is your stance width adjustment. Taller riders tend to sit on the outside holes, shorter riders on the inside holes, and most people end up in the middle.

Mount both boots on matching inserts

Whichever holes you choose, use the same insert on the left and the right. A symmetrical stance is the starting point for everything else.

Set the boot angle between 9 and 12 degrees out

Angle both boots outwards, somewhere between 9 and 12 degrees. Most boots have a degree locator and degree markings on the baseplate to set this against — though some just have a straight bolt through the baseplate, and different brands use different locator styles, so check what yours has. Whatever you do to the left boot, do to the right boot.

Tighten everything down and check before you ride

Do the bolts up nice and tight, and confirm the fins are on the right way before the board goes in the water.

Two maintenance habits worth having

Getting the board and boots right in the first place

Setup only goes so far if the board itself is the wrong size. Wakeboard length is matched to rider weight — our wakeboard size calculator works it out — and boots are sized separately again, which is what the wakeboard boot size guide is for.

Common questions

Which way do wakeboard fins face?

The pointy, shallow end of the fin points towards the centre of the board, and the thicker section points towards the end. That applies to both the centre fins and the side fins, and both ends of the board should match.

Why do wakeboard fins need to be symmetrical?

Because a wakeboard is a twin tip, ridden in both directions. Keeping the fins symmetrical is what lets you ride switch and keep progressing. Fins mounted backwards on one end are one of the most common setup mistakes we see.

What stance width should I use on a wakeboard?

It follows rider height. Taller riders tend to use the outside insert holes, shorter riders the inside holes, and most people end up in the middle. Whatever you pick, use the same insert on both boots.

What angle should wakeboard boots be set at?

Between 9 and 12 degrees, angled outwards on both feet. Set the left and right the same. Most boots have degree markings and a locator on the baseplate to line this up against.

Do wakeboard packages come with the boots already fitted?

No. On a board and boot package the board and the boots ship separately, so you fit the boots yourself. That is the main reason this guide exists.

How often should I check the bolts on my wakeboard?

Check the bolts on your boots and your fins if you have not ridden for a while, or after a bad crash. Losing bolts mid-session is a terrible way to end a day on the water.

Do I need to clean under my wakeboard boots?

Yes, every now and again. Take the boots off the board and give it a good rinse, making sure there is no debris, silt, dirt or mud packed into the inserts.

How do I know if my wakeboard is the right size?

Wakeboard size is matched to rider weight. Our wakeboard size calculator works it out, and there is a separate boot size guide for the bindings.

Related guides

• Wakeboard size calculator
• Wakeboard boot size guide
• How to shorten your ski or wakeboard rope — the other half of a correct setup.
• Resource Centre — the rest of the how-to and care videos.

Shop the gear

• Wakeboards
• Wakeboard boots
• Wakeboard packages

Not sure your board is set up right? Bring it into the Brisbane store or send us a photo of the base and the top deck — we will tell you what to change.