Here is a quick look at some of the boards you should keep your eyes on as you get ready to brave the cold of winter while jonesing for spring to come.

Ronix – RXT

Sizes: 136, 140, 144
Rocker: Continuous
MSRP: $800
www.ronixwake.com

The latest pro model from Massi Piffaretti and the minds at Ronix, the RXT is a sight to behold. And be held. Seriously, you won’t believe this board when you pick it up, it is one of the lightest boards we’ve ever felt. This is thanks to Ronix’s all-new “Black Out Technology” construction, which features a bunch of stuff that has literally been blacked out of their catalog. Needless to say, it’s a board you’re going to want to check out.

Ronix – Parks

Sizes: 134, 139, 144
Rocker: Continuous
MSRP: $410
www.ronixwake.com

For the first time in over a decade (or maybe ever), Parks Bonifay has a pro model with continuous rocker. Parks went into the design of this board looking to create something anybody could hop on and be comfortable with. The aggressive continuous rocker keeps it poppy yet predictable. The most unique feature though is the bottom. Can you say “phasers?” Ronix leaned on some golf ball tech to redesign this dimpled riding surface, which will give the board lift and help keep it loose, lively, and fun.

O’Brien – The Fix

Sizes: 142, 146, 150, 154
Rocker: Continuous (progressive)
MSRP: NA
www.obrien.com

The Fix is Max Van Helvoort’s pro model board, and it is O’Brien’s first foray into the “plus-sized” board world, with a 150 and 154cm available. This is also the flexiest board in O’Brien’s lineup, ensuring you a loose, playful feel in the park, whether you’re buttering around corners, pressing into rails, or launching off kickers.

O’Brien – Valhalla D.O.C. Edition

Sizes: 133, 138, 143
Rocker: Continuous (progressive)
MSRP: NA
www.obrien.com

The Valhalla is a classic shape that has been part of the O’Brien lineup for years (and for good reason, it’s a tried and true wake ripper). For 2019 they reached out to this year’s Reader’s Poll winner David O’Caoimh looking to do something special. David has become globally popular through his YouTube channel and ability to make wakeboarding fun and relatable to the masses. With that in mind, David reached out to his followers to have them design the graphic. Thus, the D.O.C. Valhalla was born.

Liquid Force – Rhythm

Sizes: 140, 145
Rocker: Aggressive continuous
MSRP: $550
www.liquidforce.com

Behold the first pro model of Guenther Oka. With a full wood core and aggressive continuous rocker, the Rhythm is suited for just how Guenther likes to ride in the park: a little bit of everything. Whether you’re charging into a kicker, landing big transfers, pressing or rails, or even throwing the occasional air trick, the Rhythm will help you do it comfortably.

Liquid Force – Rhyme

Sizes: 139, 144
Rocker: 3-stage
MSRP: $530
www.liquidforce.com

As you know, Guenther shreds just as hard behind the boat as he does in the park, so Liquid Force saw it fit to add to his pro model quiver and created the Rhyme. Don’t think of this as a stiffer version of the Rhythm, either, it’s an entirely different board all together. The Rhyme is a 3-stage rocker with molded in fins and a unique sidecut that is designed to help it stay on edge and hold speed (thus offsetting the drag that can come along with 3-stage designs). While it is an all-wood core like the Rhythm, it is much stiffer and designed for going big, just how Guenther likes it.

Slingshot – Bishop “YKWTFGO”

Sizes: 146 Rocker: 3-stage MSRP: $549 www.slingshotsports.com

Blake Bishop shreds parks unlike anybody else, which is why Slingshot decided to make him a pro model for 2019. The Bishop is based off of Dylan Miller’s popular Solo board, but built entirely for the park. This means a little flexier and no fins, so you’re getting a board that you can press the snot out of, carve like a go-kart, and launch off of kickers. Welcome to Blake’s world.

Slingshot – Contrast

Sizes: 134, 138, 142
Rocker: 3-stage
MSRP: $449
www.slingshotsports.com

Are you a lady who likes shredding both boat and cable? Then the Slingshot Contrast might be the one board you’re looking for. With a stiffer mid-section and softer tip and tail, the Contrast provides the pop you want off the wake and the flex you need for pressing out on the rails. The Fusion sidewalls and Ballistic base allow it to take a beating and keep cruising day in and day out.

Connelly – Standard

Sizes: 139, 143
Rocker: Continuous
MSRP: $400
www.connellywake.com

Despite his crazy skills on a wakeboard, Josh Twelker is a pretty simple guy when it comes down to it. So it only makes sense that his board is simple too. With a smooth continuous rocker, and hybrid spine, the Standard provides all the speed and pop Josh needs for blasting off the wake, with the benefit of smooth landings. To customize tracking and release preferences, the fins can be adjusted forward or back to suit your style.

Connelly – Reverb / Steel Lafferty LTD Edition

Sizes: 136, 141
Rocker: Subtle 3-stage
MSRP: $400
www.connellywake.com

The limited edition Reverb made for Steel Lafferty is available now and is built on one of Connelly’s most successful and popular shapes ever. And if you’ve seen Steel’s riding since he got on this shape, you know it’s good. With a subtle 3-stage rocker, it has solid kick, while a full center channel and spine help increase control and provide for soft landings.

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Ronix One ATR

Classic and classy! Danny Harf is my main squeeze. Jealous?

Jobe Concord

I’m laid-back and über-flexible. Love spending time all over the park!

Liquid Force Noodle

Yes, that’s sidecut. You’re curious. I’m like a snowboard without the sweaty underlayers.

Slingshot Nomad

You know what they say about big boards … BIG fun! Don’t knock it till you’ve tried it!

O’Brien Exclusive

I’m new here, but I’ve got a full spine and I’m not afraid of speed.

CWB The Standard

I might look simple, but I love a mix of basic grabs and tech.

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Allrounders: The Breach & Conflict
The perfect blend between flex and strength: Julian Cohen’s Pro Model the Conflict. It’s a constant performer: stable yet playful due to its three-stage rocker and crossover channels. Dominik Guhrs’ pro model, the Jobe Breach, stands for traction and speed. Combined with flex in tip and tail of this board makes it the perfect blend for a champ.

Railboards: The Pitch & Concord/Armada
The Pitch, Concord, and for the shredettes: the Armada, are the real rail rippers. These boards have a wooden core to ensure maximum flex. Want extra speed and traction? Choose the Pitch. However, the Concord and Armada are the thinnest and flexiest in the range.

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What’s New

Paulownia wood core with Ghost Stringers, sculpted sidewalls, die-cut base

What It Means for You

The all-wood core with Ghost Stringers system provides a balance of flex and responsivity. The die-cut base eliminates the need for a base graphic, which reduces weight. Plus, who doesn’t want their own meme?

The Pro’s Words

Like unicorns humping. – Nick Dorsey

What’s New

Variable flex along the rocker line, Mod Pour foam core, Magic Carpet fiberglass, sintered

What It Means for You

With a thicker and stiffer belly, and thinner and flexier tips, riders are able to rock into presses with ease. Similar to the Kinetik Flexbox 2, but with a larger sweet spot and more affordable price. Nice in the park and nice for your wallet — that’s a solid combo.

The Pro’s Words

State Farm approved. – Jake Pelot

What’s New

Blended core, tip and tail flex, H.I.T. base, tri-tech flat spots

What It Means for You

Built for explosive park riding, the Breach offers a solid mix of stiffness and flexibility for all-around performance, while the strengthened base and tri-tech flat spots help lengthen the board’s lifetime.

The Pro’s Words

Breach is best. – Dominik Gührs

What’s New

New shape featuring larger sizes, triple stringer wood/polyurethane core, FlexTrack binding mount, Liquid Rails sidewall

What It Means for You

The larger sizes allow for much softer landings and bring a new dimension to hitting rails in the park. LF’s FlexTrack bends with the board, meaning more response for you. Not included: Daniel’s insane ability.

The Pro’s Words

Bigger is better. – Daniel Grant

What’s New

O’Brien’s Fusion Core, Flex Technology and Impact Base, refined flex pattern

What It Means for You

The Fusion Core and flex pattern keep it stiff in the middle for a stronger feel off the wake yet soft in the tip and tail for fun in the park. And, of course, you’re always allowed to call your board an S.O.B. …

The Pro’s Words

Durable responsive flex. – Dary Znebel

What’s New

POP 3 Core, thin profile in tip and tail, Triax layup, flat Ti base

What It Means for You

The three poplar stringers in the POP 3 Core provide the flex and snap you want in a park board, while the Ti base means you don’t have to worry about hitting rails and obstacles over and over again. Who says honey badger don’t care?!

The Pro’s Words

Honey Badger cares?!? – Daniel Powers

The post 2017 Board Roundup appeared first on Wakeboarding Mag.

As soon as I pulled the Solo out of the box, I ­realized that Slingshot and Dylan Miller had come up with a board that is definitely unique. The board I tried was a size bigger than the LF Deluxe I normally ride, but it was narrow in comparison, with the inserts placed farther toward the center of the board than what I am used to, allowing for a seriously narrow stance (the Dylan Miller signature). I also have to say that I really liked the narwhal graphic!

On the water, the board was very comfortable to ride. The narrow width made it feel like the larger size was the right-size board, just with extra tip and tail. It has a moderately soft flex throughout but is stiffer in the midsection, so it didn’t ride like a wet noodle. The flex tip is extremely soft, but because of the extra length in tip and tail, it didn’t negatively affect the way the board reacted on the water, and I was able to ollie onto even the highest rails with ease. The channels that run through the middle of the board stop before the tip and tail, so it gave traction while on the water, but it didn’t interfere on the rails at all. There is a gentle concave in the tip and tail that flexed to become flat when on a box-style feature, so it didn’t get in the way and hugged pipe rails nicely, adding extra stability. Although I am normally not a fan of any spine on a cable board, the Solo’s spine was so mellow that it didn’t negatively affect me, even on the pipe rails where it usually would. On the other hand, I also didn’t notice much benefit from the spine on the water or on landings off the kicker, and it landed only slightly better than a flat-bottomed board.

The most noticeable aspect of the Solo is definitely that it was designed to be ridden big with a slightly narrower stance, allowing for a lot of tip and tail. Board slides and lip slides were really fun because you can poke it out a lot and easily get both boots to one side of the rail. Nollies and pokes were so easy to do with just a slight bend of a knee that it was really fun to add these little maneuvers in as I rode around the park. On the other hand, I did find it hard to overcome the extra tip and tail while pressing. Getting into a press was easy, but doing a crazy press was more difficult. It was also more difficult to release for air tricks, although if you’re riding this board, chances are you’re probably not doing it for air tricks.

Overall, the Solo was a fun board to ride around the park, and I enjoyed having that extra tip and tail to play with for a couple of days. The bottom contours, flex pattern and overall design are great for the park and riding features. ­Slingshot has taken Dylan’s style and ­approach to riding and created a solid design that is a super-fun board.

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