Best wakeboards for women in 2011

Wakeboarding is one of the most addictive summer sports. I didn't discover how much fun wakeboards could be until a few years ago, when I was spending time with the outdoor adventure club at my college. The club's resident wakeboarder was shocked to hear that I'd never been wakeboarding in my life. Since then, I have gone wakeboarding several times each summer. I don't have my own wakeboard yet, so I've been using rental wakeboards. A lot of rental shops lack boards built specifically for women, making the sport difficult for short women to learn.

I've found the following wakeboards acceptable for women:

1. Liquid Force Trip

I tried out the 2011 Liquid Force Trip just a month ago and absolutely loved it! The wakeboard is definitely meant for advanced athletes, but I enjoyed the challenge it presented. The design gave the Liquid Force Trip an aggressive feel and a high-arching pop. With three different lengths, the Trip works for women of many sizes. Buy the Liquid Force Trip for $259 on the Evo website.

2. Liquid Force Jett

Okay, I might be a little biased towards Liquid Force wakeboards. One of my friends owns a Liquid Force Jett, and I end up mooching it whenever I get the chance. This board is s specifically designed for women. It is an edgier wakeboard, best suited for advanced boarders.

The Liquid Force Jett features a Double Concave V Wave and a winged rail shape. The side slots give the board extra bite and allows for a super speedy release. Like the Liquid Force Trip, you can find the Jett at Evo for $359.

3. O'Brien Siren

Created with the beginner in mind, the O'Brien Siren is predictable enough to put a newbie at ease. This was one of the first wakeboards that I rented, and it gave me the perfect opportunity to learn the basics of wakeboarding. The Siren is listed at $205 on the O'Brien website.

4. Kwik Tek Checks

I'm not sure whether the rhyming name was intentional or not, but I love saying "Kwik Tek Checks." Linguistic appeal aside, this wakeboard is best for smaller athletes looking for a smooth ride. The board's rounded ends and beveled edges allows for easy transitions. Kwik Tek Wakeboards are sold everywhere from specialty wakeboarding shops to Sears. If you buy this wakeboard from the Kwik Tek website, it'll only cost you $190.

5. CWB Women's Lotus

At only $130 on Amazon, the CWB Women's Lotus is quite a steal. Designed for teens and women under 140 pounds, the Lotus has by far the most girly design I've ever seen in a wakeboard. That being said, the Lotus is surprisingly fierce for a beginner to intermediate women's wakeboard. It features a quick continuous rocker that gives a nice pop while you're practicing wakeboarding tricks.

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