The world of watersports has grown tremendously in recent years. The types of activities are becoming more and more varied, such as wakeskating, a sport similar to wakeboarding, but performed with no bindings. All you need is water, a boat and the right gear, and you're ready to go. Whether your style is kneeboarding, wakeboarding, wakeskating, or just plain waterskiing, there's something on this list for you. So be sure to take a look and see what can make your time spent in the wake even better.

Bindings

Liquid Force Element
Liquid Force improved their most supportive variable size boot, the Element ($219.99, www.liquidforce.com) by adding the F.A.S.T. system, which gives it response and stance options when you're wakeboarding. The new C3 foot bed is canted for proper alignment, cupped for hold and contoured for arch support, giving its rider a comfortable and shock-free ride. The Element also features a padded inner cuff for leg-friendly support and a Lycra heel piece to keep your feet comfortable. The adult model fits both men and women. The Element also comes in kids' sizes.


CWB Mobe
You can't wakeboard without a good pair of bindings, so why not try the best-selling wakeboard boot of all time? CWB has improved upon its successful pro hardware design to create the Mobe ($169.99, www.ridecwb.com). The new DTCS (dual tooth clamp system), a soft footbed, gorilla grip on the heal, and a rubber front toe make it the ultimate learner's boot with a tremendous amount of support. It's also great for intermediate riders. The Mobe is available in a women's version as well.

 

Clothing

Body Glove Vapor Short
The new innovation in water-repellent boardshort technology is Body Glove's Vapor Short ($65, www.bodyglove.com). Utilizing the Vapor-Applied Fabric Technology, the shorts shed water for minimal absorption. Since the water-repellent finish is infused into the fabric's fibers, washing and drying the shorts recharges the water-repellent function. This fabric construction also uses mechanical-stretch fibers, which don't break down or retain water like Lycra can.


Helly Hanson Versa Rashguard
When you're engaged in a watersports activity, you don't want wet, irritated skin to distract you. Helly Hansen's Versa Rashguard top ($70, www.hellyhansen.com) employs its LIFA Versa technology on the interior, which moves moisture away from the skin to keep you dry and warm. Polyester in the exterior is elasticized for easy movement. A high neck reduces rash, while exterior seams help avoid chafing to the skin.

 

Gloves

O'B rien's X-Grip Pro 3/4 gloves
You can't enjoy watersports if your hands are achy and worn. O'Brien's X-Grip Pro 3/4 gloves ($49.99, www.obrien.com) will keep your mind off your hands and on the fun you're having. The "3/4" in the name is for the 3/4 finger cut, which gives your hands more freedom. The super-strength palm gives you an enhanced grip, while the neoprene backhand gives you a comfortable fit. The fingers are pre-curved, preventing fatigue, and the wide wrist strap holds the glove securely on your hand. Sizes range from extra-small to extra-extra-large, so you can make sure to get the right sized glove for your hands. In addition, a backhand cinch adjusts for a custom fit.

 

Handles & Ropes

CWB Flake Mainline
Proline has created a series of coated mainlines to match their innovative handles. The 80-foot Flake Mainline ($109, www.ridecwb.com) is an extra 5 feet longer than the normal mainlines, for riders who need extra length to do their tricks. This ultra-thin, four-section Dyneema cable line has a protective coating that increases the integrity and life of the rope, while giving you zero tangles and allowing the rope to slide easily through your hands and the water. The silver-colored mainline is also interwoven with a metallic ribbon, which gives a reflective appearance in the water on sunny days, so there's no chance you'll run over the rope with the boat.

Proline Delta and Militia
Proline has entered the world of carbon handles with their ultra-light Delta and Militia handles ($129.99, www.ridecwb.com), made to improve your riding even further. They both measure 17 inches, and feature an innovative handle shape that actually fits to the shape of your back, which helps make passing the handle easier. Those who make difficult handle pass tricks will like how the grip of the handle actually continues around the sides. The Delta and Militia also feature a replaceable grip that can be used to either customize the thickness of the handle or replace a worn one.

 

Kneeboards

Black Magic Kneeboard
The Black Magic kneeboard ($179.99, www.obrien.com) is the ultimate family kneeboard. With a soft contoured kneepad, three-inch padded strap, and retractable fins, the Black Magic is stable and big enough for the whole family. It also has the Aquatic hook, now standard on all of O'Brien's rotomolded kneeboards for 2006, which ensures an easy start and saves your arms for the ride, making kneeboarding easy to learn for those who are just beginning.

 

Wakeboards

CWB Charger
Smaller-sized wakeboarders need not fret — CWB's Charger ($189.99, www.ridecwb.com) is a mini version of wakeboard excellence. The Charger is only 119 centimeters, and is specifically designed for wakeboarders under 105 pounds. It's the smallest board in CWB's line, but it still has the design characteristics of the higher-performance boards, such as compression molded construction, a high-gloss PBT top, extensive top shaping for strength and reduced weight and molded fins.

Gator Boards Caddy
Gator Boards completely refined its Caddy ($360, www.gatorboards.com), a wakeboard suited for all levels of ability. The True Angle fins lock you in as you increase edge, then become looser as you come off of edge. The new wider tip and tail provide additional surface area and lift off of the wake. An innovative 35-degree edge bevel allows the board to sit deeper in the water when on a neutral edge, while protecting the edges from dings and discoloration. For a faster approach to the wake, Gator Boards added the progressive rocker, which has a larger radius under the feet, with a smaller radius on the tip/tail. Another plus is the artistic paint design, which will make you feel like you're behind the dash of a car.

 

Wakeskate Shoes

Jet Pilot Reflex
Your feet will stay dry when wakeskating if you're wearing Jet Pilot's Reflex shoes ($69, www.jetpilot.com). The breathable mesh drainage system covers 60 percent of the Reflex's upper portion, which keeps water from pooling inside the shoe, resulting in a lighter weight. Jet Pilot has also incorporated an irrigation system with channels that cut into the diamond mesh EVA foot bed, directing water out of the shoe through ports on the side of the EVA midsole, speeding up water drainage when the shoe's in use. Reflex sizes range from 5 to 13.

 

Wakeskates

Drew McGuckin and Tim Kovacich
If you want to buy a wakeskate that you'll be able to ride no matter your skill level, then Gator Boards has two models for you: the Drew McGuckin and the Tim Kovacich ($129 and $139, www.gatorboards.com). Both share three distinct features: a radius-beveled edge, which means a slower, predictable roll when transferring from riding flat to edging; hot laminate construction, which means better bonding; and a vertical rail design, which provides more surface area when edging for additional stability. The Drew McGuckin's unique feature is its parallel tip-to-tip concave, which gives the rider a consistent feel wherever their feet are on the board. The Tim Kovacich features a recessed top deck, which is between a regular concave and a flat deck, so the rider knows where their feet are at all times. Both wakeskates are composed of 13-ply basswood, Gator Board's own mix of natural center grain and natural cross-band grains. Whether you're a beginner, intermediate or advanced wakeskater, you'll benefit from either of Gator Board's innovative wakeskates.

 

Water Skis

Connelly Pilot
Years ago, Connelly created the shaped ski movement, and their skis just keep improving. The Pilot ($330, www.connellyskis.com), a member of the Escape series of slalom skis, shows just how easy it is to use shaped skis. Its wide tip and tail provides more surface area for effortless deep-water starts, while the sidecut design helps the ski turn with little effort while skiing at 28 mph or under. The C.T.S. (Connelly Tracking System) makes your starts stable and straight every time. The unique characteristics in Connelly's skis will prevent strain and stress on your body, so waterskiing will be even more fun and exhilarating.

O'Brien Traditional
You can't go wrong with an original. That's what's so great about O'Brien's set of slalom skis, appropriately named the Traditional ($119.99, www.obrien.com) — they have that traditional shape, "just like dad learned on," as O'Brien says. With fully adjustable pinch-slide bindings, and a length of 68 inches, just about everyone will enjoy skiing on these. The composite construction makes the Traditional skis durable for years to come.

 

Other Stuff

Helly Hansen racing bag
Need a carryall for your watersports gear? Helly Hansen's racing bag ($50, www.hellyhansen.com) is loaded with pockets, panels and compartments so you can store everything you may need to bring aboard the boat, including your bottle, music, sunglasses and more. Separate wet and dry zones have mesh pockets for easy drainage, in case water gets in. Easy access through the U-zip top, along with adjustable shoulder straps, make this trouble-free bag the only thing you'll need to take with you. Available in red or black.

Liquid Force Liquid Tunes
There are lots of MP3 players out there — even ones that are waterproof — however, Liquid Force's Liquid Tunes™ waterproof MP3 player ($199.99 and $249.99, www.liquidforce.com) is the first one built specifically for wakeboarding. It's compact and lightweight, and comes with a special Neoprene armband so it will stay on your arm when you're riding. Liquid Tunes is not only waterproof and completely submersible, but it's also shock-resistant and skip-free, even when you fall in the water. It's compatible with MP3 and other common music formats, and even comes with a USB Cable and waterproof earbuds. Choose between the 256 MB and the 513 MB models.