To slingshot or not to slingshot ... That is the question.

[Clibka]

So I asked a couple questions over at wakeworld but I thought I would ask from people that ride approximately the same wake as me. I want a new board and am leaning toward a flex (knee saver, a little more fun to butter round) I'm thinking slingshot reflex, I've heard it's fast yet still poppy. Anyone have experience?

[OKWAKEBDR]

I'm riding the Whip and I love it. Also, anything in the Ballistic Series (Kine, Newton, Hooke) is going to be really great behind the boat, and still pretty good at the park also. Depending on your riding style - if you're a full-on balls to the walls charger, the Lyman would be a good choice also. The Ballistic Series boards + the Whip and Lyman are the stiffest in the lineup, but they do still flex. Personally I'd choose any of these before I go to the Reflex, Response, Recoil - if you're a mostly boat rider.

[MrShelley]

100% boat rider here. I switched to a Slingshot Hooke this year. LOVE the board. Great straight up pop that really complements my wake and style of riding. Landings are a LOT softer than my previous boards (Trip, PS3, Harley). Added bonus...Made in America.

[Clibka]

What size u on? What do you weigh? Height? What boat? Glad to hear you love it. I'm really leaning that way.

[Clibka]

I'm riding the Whip and I love it. Also, anything in the Ballistic Series (Kine, Newton, Hooke) is going to be really great behind the boat, and still pretty good at the park also. Depending on your riding style - if you're a full-on balls to the walls charger, the Lyman would be a good choice also. The Ballistic Series boards + the Whip and Lyman are the stiffest in the lineup, but they do still flex. Personally I'd choose any of these before I go to the Reflex, Response, Recoil - if you're a mostly boat rider.

Have u ridden any of the 3 r's? Were they super squishy?

[Miljack]

I'm riding the SS Lyman, and really like this board! Super fast, great pop and good landings. I have also ridden a Company Recruit (flex board) and that is the best landing board I've ever ridden.
I spent two seasons on a CWB Transcend prior to switching and I haven't been back on it since. Just fyi, also have recently ridden the new Marek Nova, didn't really care that much for it, but only one quick set...all boat riding for me, no cable experience.

[Woody_tobius_jr]

I've been riding my Recoil since '09 with the Driver boots,and I'm really happy with it. I will admit that the only other boards I've ridden were made by O'Brien, so I don't have a lot of experience with other brands to compare to. It has nice pop and soft landings too. Only negative thing is the driver boot, 3 sets of laces to tie you in...slow getting in, and hard on the joints when you crash hard.

[MrShelley]

What size u on? What do you weigh? Height? What boat? Glad to hear you love it. I'm really leaning that way.

I'm 5'10", 195#. Riding a Hooke 142 with RAD boots behind my 2005 SANTE with 2500# of ballast. The Hooke really intensifies that straight up pop, or at least it feels that way.

[OKWAKEBDR]

Have u ridden any of the 3 r's? Were they super squishy?

No, they're not "super squishy", but they do flex more than the ballistic boards. The new core they're using in the Ballstic Series and higher end boards is worth the money in my opinion.

[Mikeski]

I have an both old Slingshot flex board and CWB Transcend. The Slingshot is really fun and boots you like crazy but it needs to be loaded just right for it to do it's thing. I loved it when I was riding once a week but I don't ride that much anymore and can't load it consistently. So the CWB Transcend is more forgiving to my poor timing for board loading so I ride it most of the time now.

[98motorsport3]

5'10 195 here also. 99 super air. I ride the kine 141 and love it. They are very good wake to wake boards. Straight up pop that feels like you are booting on a trampoline almost. However if you're like me and have an ankle injury you need to stay clear of landing in the trough. Flats seem ok with speed and setting it down on the tail. To me if I don't set it down on the tail in the flats they actually have a punchier landing than a regular board IMO (this could be and probably is totally ankle related). I love mine though and once I got rope length and speed dialed in to where I could go big and keep it wake to wake it's been the best board I've had.

[98motorsport3]

Update to my previous post, I dusted the cobwebs off my lf witness 140 and went out and rode yesterday with it. Landed three tricks I hadn't landed on the slingshot yet (had tried) and was able to carry speed landing in the flats better on the witness.

[DaveP]

***WARNING - Threadjack***

I'm an old beginner looking for my first and likely last board. 49 years old and 225lbs. Hurts to say that. Anyway, I was thinking the SS Response in 145. What do you guys think? I'm open to other suggestions. Want something fun and easier to learn on. Will likely serve as the "community board" for the adults who want to give it a shot. The kids all have their own boards. Time for dad to jump in. We have a '11 SANTE 210

[Miljack]

***WARNING - Threadjack***

I'm an old beginner looking for my first and likely last board. 49 years old and 225lbs. Hurts to say that. Anyway, I was thinking the SS Response in 145. What do you guys think? I'm open to other suggestions. Want something fun and easier to learn on. Will likely serve as the "community board" for the adults who want to give it a shot. The kids all have their own boards. Time for dad to jump in. We have a '11 SANTE 210

To respond to Dave, if you're really a newbie, just know that the edges on the SS boards are an invite for some SERIOUS front side/back side edge "catches" AKA face plants or headers! The boards are typically looser than standard boards, so if you're not diligent about your upper body position and holding an edge while cruising around, you risk catching an edge.

I love my SS Lyman, super fast, fun to ride, and lands great for me. I have taken both style of falls via the edge catch, and it WILL get your attention!

thread jack off

SS !

[MrShelley]

To respond to Dave, if you're really a newbie, just know that the edges on the SS boards are an invite for some SERIOUS front side/back side edge "catches" AKA face plants or headers! The boards are typically looser than standard boards, so if you're not diligent about your upper body position and holding an edge while cruising around, you risk catching an edge.

I definitely agree with this. The edges on the Slingshot boards are a recipe for pain if you're just learning or have sloppy technique. If I were looking for a "community board", I'd look for something like the Liquid Force PS3. Rounded edges that are very forgiving, tracks solidly, but is still capable of any trick you want to learn. Available up to a 146 as well.