How to Choose the Best Wakeboard Binding Setup

Man carving turn on wakeboarding view from water
Thomas Barwick / Getty Images

Correct placement of your bindings/boots on your wakeboard is important for maintaining comfort and safety while riding. This setup determines your stance, or how you stand on the wakeboard. There are different stances that work best for beginner, intermediate, and advanced riders.

Before securing your bindings/boots, you must first determine which foot will ride forward, or in front, on your wakeboard. If you don't already know, you can do several tests to figure out whether you are regular- or goofy-footed.

Wakeboards and binding plates (the plates on which the boots rest) come with multiple pre-drilled holes that allow you to easily change the angle and position of the bindings on the board. The angles at which the bindings are placed on the board are referred to using degrees, just like in geometry.

The width at which the bindings should be spaced can be determined by jumping up in the air and allowing your feet to land naturally on the ground. Measure the distance between your feet and use this to set your bindings. It is usually shoulder width apart.

Get in the practice of making sure that your bindings are snug and secure before you hit the water. Taking this extra step can help prevent injuries.

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Beginner - Recreational Stance

Beginner Wakeboarding Binding Set-Up

This stance is good for learning deepwater starts, forward riding, turning and carving, along with basic jumps and hops. The rear binding needs to go fairly far back on the board so that most of the rider's weight presses on the rear fin, making the board easier to control and navigate.

Back Binding - Zero degrees at the backmost position on the board.

Front Binding - Pointing towards the front of the board at a 15- to 27-degree angle (two to three holes from the center of the binding plate). Place at a natural distance from the rear binding.

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Intermediate - Advanced Stance

Intermediate Wakeboarding Binding Set-Up

Once you've had your share of time on the water and your skills have improved, you can begin moving the bindings forward a little bit. Tricks tend to be easier with the bindings closer to the center of the board. A centered stance aids in spins, riding backward (fakie), surface tricks, and more. As you become a more advanced rider, you will be able to reduce the angle of the front foot binding.

Back Binding - Zero to nine degrees, and one hole from the back.

Front Binding - Approximately 18 degrees, and about four to five holes back.

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Advanced - Expert Stance

Advanced / Expert Wakeboarding Binding

Once you get to the point that you are comfortable riding forward and backward, it is time to try riding in a more neutral stance, slightly back from the center of the board. This stance most resembles your stance while standing on land, with the feet angled slightly outward, somewhat like a duck's stance. This positioning gives you the freedom to do the same tricks going in either direction.

Back Binding - Nine degrees, and about three holes from the back.

Front Binding - Nine degrees, and about four holes from the front.