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Short answer: All six boards here are beginner-to-intermediate boards. Any of them will take you from your first time up through to jumping the wake, so pick on feel. If you want stable, predictable and great value, we'd point you at KD or Connelly, either the KD Renegade or the Connelly Pure, with the KD Maverick as the step up for a bit more pop. If you want an asymmetrical shape that helps you progress on your toe-side, go for the Ronix Vault or Hyperlite State 2.0. If you want a continuous rocker with predictable pop, the Liquid Force Trip is the one. Size by weight with our wakeboard size finder, and if you're between sizes, go longer.
Can't decide? Ride one first. Our Demo Program hires beginner-to-intermediate boards for $100 for 5 days. Buy within 4 weeks and we refund up to four hire fees off the price.
Reuben runs through all six boards in this guide and who each one suits. 4 minutes 23 seconds.
The picks at a glance
| Package | What stands out | Board sizes | Boot sizes |
|---|---|---|---|
| KD Renegade + Unix | Good value, stable and predictable | 136, 140, 145 cm | 5–8, 8–11, 11–14 |
| KD Maverick + Riot | Good value, a bit more pop | 137, 141 cm | 5–8, 9–13 |
| Connelly Pure + Optima | Good value, stable and predictable | 131, 136, 141 cm | 1–4, 5–8, 9–13 |
| Ronix Vault + Divide | Asymmetrical, helps toe-side progression | 135, 140, 145 cm | 5–8.5, 7.5–11.5, 10.5–14.5 |
| Hyperlite State 2.0 + Remix | Asymmetrical, helps toe-side progression | 130, 135, 140, 145 cm | 4–8, 7.5–10.5, 10–14 |
| Liquid Force Trip + Index | Continuous rocker, predictable pop and responsive | 130, 135, 139, 144, 150 cm | 5–8, 8–12, 12–15 |
New to rocker lines, fins and asymmetrical shapes? Reuben explains them all in The Breakdown: picking the perfect wakeboard.
Good value, stable and predictable
KD Renegade with Unix boots
KD packages are fantastic value for money. The Renegade's hybrid rocker blends three-stage and continuous, and it has a compression-molded shape with molded fins in the tip and tail, plus a removable centre fin that works like a training wheel while you're learning. Take it out once you're comfortable edging. KD's True-Angled fins help the board lock in as you load your toes, so both your regular and switch sides feel natural. Off the wake, the pop is easy to time as you start going for airs.
The Unix boot is open-toe, with a free-flex tongue that opens wide for getting in and out.
From the shop floor: KD is great value for money without sacrificing quality.
Board: 136, 140, 145 cm · Boots: 5–8, 8–11, 11–14
KD Maverick with Riot boots
The Maverick is KD's step up from the Renegade for riders pushing into intermediate. It has a slightly more aggressive rail, so it edges in a little harder, and a bigger rocker for more pop and lift off the wake. The machined core gives quick response underfoot, and thinned flutes at each end help it release cleanly off the wake. Top Seam Technology rails use overlapping fibreglass along the edges to stand up to harder landings. It works behind most boats, for smooth carving or more aggressive riding.
The Riot boots have lycra lining at the heel and toe for easy entry and a single lace that wraps snugly without pinching.
From the shop floor: KD is great value for money without sacrificing quality.
Board: 137, 141 cm · Boots: 5–8, 9–13
Connelly Pure with Optima boots
The Pure has a subtle three-stage rocker and a slightly wider tip and tail, which adds a bit of lift. A full-length spine gives soft landings and a big centre fin keeps it stable. Connelly also builds it to cope with different riding styles and water conditions. It comes in 131, 136 and 141 cm. Check Connelly's size chart on the product page, because heavier riders need the longer board for more surface area.
The Optima boots have lycra-lined heel and toe panels for easy entry and a single lace.
From the shop floor: Connelly boards are very stable.
Board: 131, 136, 141 cm · Boots: 1–4, 5–8, 9–13
Asymmetrical shapes to help you progress
Ronix Vault with Divide boots
The Vault is one of our most popular beginner-to-intermediate boards. Its asymmetrical design sits the toe-side rail deeper in the water, with longer fins and sharper rails, so you get control you don't typically have on a toe-side rail. The heel-side has vertical sidewalls and shorter fins, which frees it up and makes it a little looser. That's fine, because most riders already have better control on their heel-side. It combines that with a three-stage rocker and a big centre fin.
Ronix rates the Divide boot 4/10 for flex, so it's soft and forgiving. AutoLock lacing makes it quick to adjust between sets.
From the shop floor: Ronix is great for progression, and the boots are very comfy.
Board: 135, 140, 145 cm · Boots: 5–8.5, 7.5–11.5, 10.5–14.5
Hyperlite State 2.0 with Remix boots
The State is a rock-solid beginner shape with clearly different toe-side and heel-side rails. That asymmetry helps you progress on your toe-side and become a better all-round rider. The State 2.0 shortens the toe-side edge so you need less rail pressure on your approach and take-off, and adds toe-side footbed risers for leverage. A longer heel-side edge keeps it stable and fast. Full-length channels through the base keep it tracking straight, and the molded-in fin is thinner than before for an easier release off the wake.
The Remix boot has a relaxed fit that suits most foot shapes.
From the shop floor: Hyperlite gives you an asymmetrical shape, but with deep channels for stability and control.
Board: 130, 135, 140, 145 cm · Boots: 4–8, 7.5–10.5, 10–14
Continuous rocker for predictable pop
Liquid Force Trip with Index boots
The Trip's continuous rocker makes take-offs easy and gives predictable, responsive pop off the wake. A quad concave base and cupped molded outside fins hold an edge consistently, keep it smooth off the wake and soften your landings. It runs a shallow removable centre fin. Pull it as soon as you're comfortable edging the board. With five lengths from 130 to 150 cm, it has the widest size range in this guide.
The Index boots use Impact EVA cushioning for landings. Dual laces let you set the heel and toe tension separately.
From the shop floor: The continuous rocker gives you predictable pop and good responsiveness.
Board: 130, 135, 139, 144, 150 cm · Boots: 5–8, 8–12, 12–15
Boat boards stay on the boat. Every board in this guide is a boat board. Cable park obstacles are a different job, and impact damage on a boat board at a cable park isn't covered by warranty.
Shopping for a younger rider? See our Buyers Guide: Best Kids Wakeboards. For women's boards, see our Buyers Guide: Best Womens Wakeboards.
Getting the size right
The mistake we see most often is a board that's too big or too small. Get the length right before you choose between boards.
Weight is the main driver of wakeboard length, and height nudges you up if your stance needs more board under it. Our wakeboard size finder gives you a range in a few seconds. Between sizes? Go longer. A longer board is more stable and lands softer. A shorter board is lighter and easier to spin.
Each manufacturer also publishes its own size chart, and it's on every product page. Check it before you buy. For boots, use the wakeboard boot size guide.
FAQ
Which of these wakeboards is best for a beginner?
All of them. Every board here suits beginner to intermediate riders. If you want a stable, predictable, good-value board, look at the KD Renegade or Connelly Pure, or the KD Maverick for a bit more pop. For help progressing on your toe-side, the Ronix Vault or Hyperlite State 2.0. For predictable pop from a continuous rocker, the Liquid Force Trip.
What size wakeboard should a beginner get?
Size by weight first, then check your height. If you fall between two sizes, go longer, because a longer board is more stable, lands softer and forgives mistakes. The wakeboard size finder gives you a range, and each product page carries the manufacturer's chart.
What does an asymmetrical wakeboard do?
It shapes the toe-side and heel-side edges differently. The toe-side rail sits deeper in the water for more control, which helps most riders because toe-side is usually the harder edge. The heel-side is freed up a little.
Should I take the centre fin out?
Yes, as soon as you're comfortable edging the board. The centre fin makes it easier while you're learning because it keeps the board tracking straight. Once you can hold an edge on both your toe-side and heel-side, it's time to take it out.
Can I use a boat wakeboard at a cable park?
No. Boat boards aren't built for cable park obstacles, and impact damage from a cable park isn't covered by warranty.
Can I try a wakeboard before I buy it?
Yes. Our Demo Program hires beginner-to-intermediate boards for $100 for 5 days. Buy within 4 weeks and we refund up to four hire fees off the price.
Related guides
- Wakeboard size finder
- Wakeboard boot size guide
- Buyers Guide: Best Kids Wakeboards
- Buyers Guide: Best Womens Wakeboards
- The Breakdown: picking the perfect wakeboard
- The Breakdown: Wakeboard ropes and handles
- How to get up on a wakeboard behind a boat (Learning with Les)
- How to set up your wakeboard
- How to put on your bindings properly
- Buyers Guide: Best Life Jackets
Shop the gear
Waterskiers World. Australia's dedicated towed water sports retailer, family-run for over 20 years from our Brisbane store and online. Not sure which board suits you? Get in touch and talk to someone who rides.