Wakeboards with 3-stage rockers feature two distinct bend points and three distinct planes on the bottom of the board. They’re distinct from continuous rocker wakeboards in that they respond with more bucking/explosive/vertical pop, while the pop offered by continuous rocker wakeboards can be characterized as more “horizontal” than “vertical.” Read on to discover our picks for the top 3-stage rocker wakeboards for 2019.
Liquid Force 2019 Remedy
How does Harley Clifford win almost every contest he enters? Years of practice and dedication, of course, along with a little help from the Remedy. With an aggressive 3-stage rocker and triple concave flowing into the venture quad channels, this board will take you and your riding straight up. Read More >
Well we did it again…we survived another fun filled weekend at the Nautique Masters at Callaway Garden with industry friends, Athletes, and family! We were pretty sure the rain would keep us down, but thankfully we only got hit with rain once or twice for a short amount of time. Robin Lake went off with the best crowd cheering on the most elite athletes in the world!
Cheers to all that competed this year and we can’t wait to be back next year! Congrats to Reed, Meagan, and Harley on their wins! Stars on the water, warriors in the sun! Big thanks go out to all the Nautique crew who put on this event and our Hyperlite support from Ebev and Mike!
What do you do when Hyperlite wants you to take a few days off work, come down to Florida, and attend this years Shreducation? YOU GO!
We packed up the truck early and ripped out of ATL around 5:00 AM for a quick stop in Valdosta to slap hi fives with the homies at Valdosta Wake Compound. If you get a chance to swing through, make sure you’ve got your board with you because this place needs to be on your bucket list!
We landed in Orlando around 2:00 PM and were able to squeeze in a little round of golf on the front 9 with Jeff Langley and Marc Rossiter. Thanks for the laughs, fellas. We look forward to a full round of golf with you guys soon!
Fast forward to 5:00 PM and we pull into Orlando Watersports Complex, the hub of pretty much all cable riding in Orlando. Talk about being BLOWN OUT! White caps everywhere, but it wasn’t enough to keep folks from ripping!
Day 1
Hyperlite kicked things off with cable riding and a little “meet and greet” for everyone to get to know who was attending Shreducation.
After a powwow about what was to come over the next few days, we were able to crack some cold ones and chow down on some tasty pizza. Much needed after being on the road and getting some laps in at O-Dub.
Day 2
We got to have a nice surf session with other retailers in our territory testing the ’’18 surf lineup, as well as Hyperlite’s Varial surf shapes! Later on that afternoon we sat in on a product clinic from Hyperlite’s Brand Manager Tom Curtin and Varial’s Brand Manager Parker Borneman. Thank you guys so much for going through the line with us, it’s hard to pick a favorite!
Day 3
We packed up early and headed South towards Satellite Beach and paid a visit to the mad scientist’s workshop. He’s the man behind several iconic board shapes from Hyperlite/Byerly: Scott “Butch” Bouchard.
We got to witness what goes into laying up a wakeboard from start to finish. Believe it or not, that shiny wakeboard under your feet has SO MUCH going on under the graphic. We’re thankful for the passion Butch and the other shapers put into what we get to ride. Mad respect, homies!
Biggest take-away we got from Hyperlite’s Shreducation 2018: FUN.
They are a brand focused on fun and trying to put a board under your feet that compliments your riding style and push you to be a better rider.
We’re looking forward to continuing to do big things with Hyperlite! Stay tuned for something really unique starting in May!
Noah has taken the momentum of the Varial Project and added his own twist to create a new shape! Introducing the all new Hyperlite Varial Riot Wakesurfer, built using the most advanced materials and construction processes available. This new series features a wider tail profile for added speed and drive. With the fastest rocker line in the collection, the Riot is designed for big airs and a responsive ride. All Varial shapes are handmade in Ventura, California, using aerospace grade materials and processes, yielding the finest wakesurfers available.
Watch and listen to Noah describe his new wakesurfer.
What’s the most important part of your wakeboard set up you ask? The bindings.
Wakeboard bindings have come a long way since the inception of our sport. From sandal models to closed toe models and everything in between. Along the way we’ve seen all kinds of closure systems and we wanted to break down what is going to be available for the 2018 season and help you choose the best style of binding for your riding needs!
This topic is highly subjective and based on personal preference, but keep an open mind to new things, as your next pair of bindings might be your favorite pair yet!
Laces:
Here’s your tried and true option, just like momma’s peanut butter and jelly sandwich. You know it’s good, you know you like it, you know it works!
This is probably the most common type of closure found in wakeboard bindings…mainly because so many riders like how lacing up a binding feels. Or…maybe it’s all they’ve ever known.
Just like a pair of running shoes or hiking boots, you can distribute as much pressure as you like from the bridge of foot all the way up your shin depending on how high your bindings come up. Most lace bindings either have a single lace or double lace closure. If you’re considering a couple models, always look for a dual lace closure binding. These will have a lace that secures the bridge of your foot and then another lace that secures the area above your ankle to your shin. Single lace bindings are still good options for riders who are getting into the sport, but dual lace closures are undeniably better for any rider and are going to be way more comfortable.
Here are a couple of examples of lace closure bindings we can get behind this season:
Ronix 2018 One (Flash Man Mint/Black)Liquid Force 2018 4D Riot
Velcro:
Rule number one with Velcro: Do not let anyone tell you Velcro doesn’t work.
Personally, I had a pair of Velcro closure bindings when I started riding. They were the 2001 Hyperlite Split Boots, actually. If you had asked me about Velcro bindings back then, I would have argued that Velcro was a pain in the ass and sucked because you couldn’t continue to ride your bindings after the Velcro wore out. The models out now for 2018 basically feature NASA-grade Velcro…so this is no longer an issue. The type of Velcro brands are using these days has a much better hold and will not wear out like the Velcro I was using over 17 years ago. Even if they do, in most cases replacement straps available to ensure you get the most out of your bindings.
These tend to be the easiest bindings to get in and out of, and who doesn’t like easy? Similar to lace closures, you can dial in the fit of your bindings with a 2-strap or 3-strap closure. Some riders prefer Velcro because they have found a way to get different flexes out of their bindings, depending on how they want to ride that day. It’s really hard to get that out of a lace closure.
By cinching each strap as tight as you can, you end up getting a stiffer feel and tons of ankle support. By only tightening the lower straps and leaving the upper strap a little looser, you can get a more flexible feel and tons of mobility. This is great if you’re the type of rider who likes to tweak out your grabs and add your own personal flavor to the way you throw a trick.
I had the chance to ride a pair of the 4D Hook behind the boat, as well as at the cable park, and I have to say that it’s a win-win in either scenario. I would recommend Velcro to anyone, especially these from Liquid Force!
Boa:
One drawback for lace and Velcro closure bindings is that, during a long set behind the boat or a long session at the cable park, the closures can loosen up and require re-tightening in order to keep riding. The best way to combat having to deal with that mid-session is with a set of Boa closure bindings. Applying this technology from the snowboard industry to wakeboard binding construction has been a game-changer for sure.
One of the most popular bindings we carry featuring Boa would be the Hyperlite 2018 Kruz Boots. Check out the video below to see them in action:
Boa closures will keep your binding as tight as you want until you’re ready to take them off. Super easy to use and backed by a lifetime warranty on the Boa itself, it’s definitely worth the investment.
Gummy Straps:
Oh snap, son! What are those?
These? They’re Gummy Straps!
Slingshot 2018 KTV featuring Gummy Straps
This new closure boasts:
“No more loosening over time, no more Velcro, and no more cumbersome closure systems. Gummy Straps stretch when you fasten them, then squeeze your boots tight as you ride.”
If that statement from Slingshot isn’t enough to pique your interest, then you need to get up and get your feet into a pair of these!
After getting my hands on a pair of KTV bindings, I can say from personal experience that these things are next-level awesome. They honestly have all the pros of laces, Velcro, and Boa all wrapped up into one easy-to-use strap…with no drawbacks at all.
The entire 2018 Slingshot binding lineup, from the Option to the RAD, come with Gummy Straps. They even come with an extra set of alternate colors to mix things up! You can’t knock that!
Conclusion
Each type of closure can and will compliment your riding in different ways. The best thing to do is think about what’s most important to you and where you want to take your riding, and go from there. Comfort certainly plays a big part in your decision, but give your feet the consideration they deserve and let our team help you get dialed for 2018.
