Q. I weigh xx pounds/kilograms and my skill level is xxx. What kind of board do you recommend?
A. There are many brands, models and sizes and shapes out there, the best advice is to try ride as many different boards as possible, size is relative to your weight - check the board manufacturers recommendations for your weight category (try our links page). Remember to always test ride a board before you make your purchase if possible. 75% of board selection comes down to personal preference.

Q. I have some bindings that are very hard to get in to. While I think it's good for them to be tight to stay on during a hard fall, how can make them easier to get on without having to buy a larger size.
A. First, definitely use a binding lube or something else that is water soluble and bio-degradable. Don't use anything with oil that may break down the rubber or not rinse out once you have your feet in. The bindings are designed to be snug. What you do is first dunk the board in the water to get the bindings wet, then squirt a little lube onto the rubber. You can work the soap around in the binding with your hand a bit if you want. It should make your feet slide in pretty easily.
Once your feet are in and you're in the water, shake your feet around a bit to dispel the excess lube. You don't want to slide out as easily as you got in. All bindings will loosen up after some use. They are tightest when they are new.
You know that the bindings are a little too tight if, after wearing them for a while, your feet become numb. If that's the case, you should try loosening up the overlays or have you local shop do it. If they are still too tight, take them back and exchange them for a larger size. One of the great things about most bindings is that they come in a large variety of sizes.
Generally speaking, you don't want your feet coming out except in a pretty hard fall. Similar to snow board bindings (which don't release at all), it's better to be in than out. You especially don't want one foot coming out and the other staying in. That can lead to injuries. If this is happening, it usually means you're putting more weight on one foot than the other. The foot that came out had less weight on it, so try to level your stance a bit.

Q. Has anyone heard of sanding the bottom of wakeboards? If so, what's the reason, less slip?
A. The main area we know of that you might want to sand is where board meets fin. Reason?? The fins really make a difference for improving a boards tracking. With better constructed fins (like graphite instead of plastic), there is less of a chance for air to get trapped and cause the board to loosen in the water - in other words, cavitation is reduced significantly making for a smoother, more stable ride. So sanding the fin's base (or the boards surface) to make a better, air-tight fit against your board, takes away any gap between where the board surface meets the fin where it is likely water can pass through and create unwanted air pockets.

Q. How should I adjust my bindings?
A. Beginners will place the bindings closer to the rear of the board in order to sink the tail fin deeper in the water for better control. As you improve with stability, balance and control, you can move the bindings closer to the center/front of the board making it easier for surface tricks, fakie, and even in landing bigger wake jumps. It really depends on the board and how it responds to you. As for the angle of the plate on the board- it should at least be somewhere comfortable, not pigeon-toed or duck-feet but what feels good for you.

Q. So many boards look the same, I bet they all ride alike.
A. That is definitely not true! Just because two boards look the same does not mean they all perform the same. You can generalize by saying bigger/fatter boards ride one way and smaller/thinner board ride another but within those two generic categories, there are a vast number of differences. For example, a few things to look for in a board might be what kind of pop does it get, does the board hold a nice hard/tight edge, does it land smoothly, is it easy to move around in the air for 180's or 360's, how does it feel riding fakie, what about surface tricks. These are just some things to think about while riding new boards.
Keep in mind, lots of design work and engineering goes into these boards by companies trying to figure out that unique and "perfect" combination for the many different styles and riders out there. With all the new boards available these days, finding one that's right for you is definitely becoming easier. The hard part is narrowing the possibilities down to about three and taking them for a demo ride.

Q. Is there a better board for rougher water?
A. Well, no wakeboard is really "easy" to ride when it's rough - the bigger ones may handle the waves better but we all prefer to do it when it's smoothest and have the most fun when we're not fighting off huge waves. If your in a place where mirror smooth water is rare, you can always try slower boat speeds.