Since binding attaches the wakeboard to the rider, it is imperative that the wakeboard binging is very comfortable and snug. Having your wakeboard binding set up on your board is necessary to maintain and enjoy comfort while wakeboard riding. How a wakeboard rider stands up on a board is what we call a stance. There are many varieties of stances that work best with the different types of wakeboard riders.
The quality and type of binding material will really be a big factor in assuring the comfort that the rider will experience when using the wakeboard. A wakeboard binding should ideally be curved in order to support your body arch and accommodate your feet and toes. There are many wakeboard binding components such as overlay and underlay, hardware, footbed, baseplate, and adjustment. These factors should be considered when you buy a wakeboard binding.
The overlay component provides firm support on the wakeboard rider’s feet by holding the toes and heel snugly together and pushing the heel towards the washboard. The overlay of a wakeboard binding is made out of thick material for enough support, yet still allows for some movement and stretching. The underlay, on the other hand, is the material found between the overlay and the top portion of the feet. The underlay prevents any areas that bind or pinch the rider’s feet.
The footbed is the cushy wakeboard binding part that helps in supporting the foot’s bottom, absorbing the shock and securing the rider’s foot. Footbed holds the heel of the feet a bit higher than the ball in order to relieve or lessen the pressure on the rider’s knees and ankles. Many footbeds of wakeboard binding have ridges under their arch and toes to support and maximize leverage of the edge of the toeside.
The hardware component of the wakeboard binding helps in keeping the binding materials together and supporting the side of the foot. The hardware should likewise support the rider’s foot by having a curved shape. The hardware component likewise has bolts that hold firmly the binding to the wakeboard. On the other hand, the baseplate component is found between the wakeboard and binding, and can be adjusted to allow different stance positions. The baseplate comes with a number of holes that are drilled in order to allow for easy changing of the position and angle of the wakeboard binding. The baseplate should be sturdy and stiff, while flex should be minimal in order to maximize the control. It should also be adjustable to the wakeboard rider’s stance.
A wakeboard binding can be adjusted if you tighten the straps and ties. If the wakeboard bindings are really difficult to adjust, putting lubricants on the bindings such as binding lube or even just a liquid soap can really make adjustment easier. Another method of adjusting the wakeboard bindings is by taking the boots apart and then loosen or tighten the overlay. Be aware however that the boot is very hard to reassemble.
Author: Dr. Mark Clayson
Airhead Heart Attack Wakeboard w/ Vise Binding
Metamar Onset Wakeboard Binding
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