Looking for the Best Skim Style Wakesurf Boards?
Choosing the right gear is rarely a simple task, and the same challenge applies to picking skim-style wakesurf boards.
Skim-style boards are generally shorter and broader compared to other wakesurf types. This shape gives them greater speed and responsiveness, making them perfect for pulling off tricks and sharp maneuvers on the wake.
The Benefits of Skim Wakesurf Boards
Skim-style wakesurf boards get their name from traditional beach skimboards, reflecting a similar shape and design philosophy.
These boards tend to be shorter, wider, and quicker than typical wakesurf boards. While beginners can still use them comfortably, skim-style boards truly excel for riders aiming to perform advanced tricks and maneuvers.
If catching air off the wake is your goal, a skim-style board is an excellent choice. Their playful, highly responsive feel makes them especially popular with younger riders and anyone seeking a more thrilling, dynamic surfing experience.
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The Liquid Force TC Skim is back after a few seasons away and continues to be a top pick for experienced riders. Its hard rails run all the way to the tail, offering sharper, more precise control when carving through turns.
This board comes with a single 1.5" fin and is built with a lightweight EPS core, reinforced with a carbon tail wrap and LF carbon center tape for extra strength and rigidity.
Engineered for a light, playful feel, the TC Skim makes catching air off the wake effortless. Its squash tail design also provides smoother, more controlled landings for tricks.
For advanced wakesurfers eager to push boundaries, launch off the wake, and master technical maneuvers, the Liquid Force TC Skim is a standout choice to elevate your lineup.
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The Hyperlite Hi-Fi is designed to elevate your wakesurfing experience. With its sleek pintail profile and eye-catching graphics, this board is ideal for intermediate to advanced riders.
Built in a skim-style shape, the Hi-Fi is fast, responsive, and easy to spin, making it perfect for playful tricks and maneuvers. Its Durashell Construction ensures it can handle heavy use, so durability is never a concern.
Advanced riders will love the pintail design, which allows for smooth transitions between regular and switch stances. The low-profile rear fins are fully customizable, you can ride with one, two, or all three depending on your style. Beginners will likely find that using all three fins provides the best tracking and stability.
The board also comes with a full EVA traction pad featuring a central arch bar, giving you a reliable reference point for balance and control.
For anyone looking for a playful yet high-performance skim-style wakesurf board, the Hyperlite Hi-Fi is an outstanding option.
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If you want a skim-style board designed for tricks, big airs, and taking your skills to the next level, the Phase Five MVP is a perfect option.
A key feature is its full-deck EVA traction pad. Whether you’re launching off a wake or landing, you’ll always have solid grip since there’s no exposed fiberglass. Kickpads at both the nose and tail give extra control during advanced moves and help prevent slipping at the edges.
The MVP stands out among Phase Five boards thanks to its rail-wrapped channels, giving riders a secure grip when performing tricks or catching air above the wake.
With its wide outline and thicker core, the board provides extra float and a forgiving ride, making it easier for less experienced riders to enjoy as well.
For anyone searching for a high-performance skim-style board that’s capable of expert-level maneuvers while remaining family-friendly, the Phase Five MVP is an outstanding choice.
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The Lib Tech Manna Tee is an excellent option if you need a wakesurf board that can support a larger rider. For the best performance, go with the bigger 5'4" size, which provides more volume and buoyancy, making it easier to stay afloat and ride smoothly.
Riders should ideally weigh at least 160 lbs to handle the 5'4" Manna Tee effectively, as smaller weights may find it a bit harder to maneuver.
Lib Tech, a company known for producing top-notch boards across snowboarding, surfing, and wakesurfing, has designed the Manna Tee with user-friendliness in mind. The concave nose adds lift, while the softly rolled-in edges prevent the nose from catching, making it easier to glide, pick up speed, and even let go of the rope when ready.
This board shines even if your boat doesn’t create the perfect wake. Its design allows it to float riders of various sizes in smaller wake pockets, making it versatile and forgiving.
If you want a wakesurf board that can handle bigger riders while still being accessible to almost anyone, the Lib Tech Manna Tee is a must-have, just grab it before it sells out, as global supply chain issues have made popular boards hard to come by.
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The Hyperlite Landlock Wakesurfer is an ideal choice for family use, offering a forgiving ride that’s easy for beginners while still strong enough for bigger riders to pump and carve with confidence.
With over three decades of experience in performance water sports, Hyperlite brings its expertise to the Landlock, crafting a board that transitions smoothly from side to side. This design helps riders stay balanced on the water rather than sliding out.
Its Monocoque construction adds durability, protecting the board from side impacts and reducing the risk of delamination.
For anyone with an older boat or a smaller wake looking for a reliable, budget-friendly option, the Hyperlite Landlock Wakesurfer is hard to beat.
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You’re going to love the Connelly RIDE Heavy Duty!
With its EPS foam core and large EVA deck pad, this board offers excellent buoyancy and stability for bigger riders. Whether you’re just starting out or are more experienced, the RIDE is a solid option thanks to its fully customizable three-fin setup.
Beginners can use all three fins to channel water and generate extra drive, while advanced riders can opt for two side fins or a single center fin to challenge their skills.
This versatility makes the RIDE perfect for riders of all sizes and skill levels, from a 5-foot teenager to a 6'2", 260 lb adult, making it a great choice for the entire family.
Connelly, a long-standing leader in waterskiing and wakeboarding, has brought decades of expertise to their wakesurf boards, and the RIDE stands out as one of the best all-around boards they offer.
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The Phase Five Doctor is purpose-built for larger riders. Its pronounced nose rocker helps keep the board floating on the wave, while a clean single concave allows for smooth, powerful rides down the line.
The subtle tail kick adds speed, stability, and forgiveness, without sacrificing maneuverability. While the Doctor is currently available in 55", it’s often found in 57" and 59" versions that can support riders up to 275–325 lbs, so it’s worth checking which sizes are in stock.
Phase Five struck a perfect balance with this board, you can surf smaller waves comfortably while still cutting and carving without feeling sluggish.
The quad-fin setup adds versatility, allowing you to move the fins forward or backward, or even remove some to attempt advanced tricks. This adjustability makes the Doctor a board that grows with your skills.
For bigger riders seeking a high-performance wakesurf board, the Phase Five Doctor is an excellent choice.
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The Phase Five Wahoo is a versatile wakesurf board designed for the whole family, including larger riders. Its weight capacity is 200 lbs for the 53" model and 250 lbs for the 56" version.
Featuring a wider nose and tail with a tapered side rail in the center, Phase Five’s “Peanut Rail Outline” places volume exactly where your feet apply pressure. This design delivers stability without compromising speed or agility, while the taper allows for smooth, flowing turns and seamless transitions.
Extra width in the hips and tail provides additional volume, making the board adaptable for riders of varying sizes. It also keeps the board quick and responsive, supporting precise maneuvers and effortless transitions from heel to toe side.
Constructed with an EPS core and reinforced with carbon fiber and Tough Glass, the Wahoo is both strong and durable. For anyone in search of a dependable, high-performance wakesurf board, the Phase Five Wahoo is an exceptional choice.
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Final Thoughts
Wakesurfers are tons of fun. It's not too difficult to find boards that can handle bigger guys, but it's worth it to take the extra time and effort to find the right one.
The boards we listed are some of the best you can get, and it will enable you to get to a new level of fun on your next day at the lake.
Bruce Paulson is the owner of PaddleboardSurf and an avid water sports enthusiast with a lifelong passion for all things aquatic. From stand-up paddleboarding and surfing to boating, kayaking, and canoeing, he thrives on the joy of being on the water. As an advocate for water conservation and environmental stewardship, Bruce shares his adventures and insights through his writing, inspiring others to embrace the beauty and excitement of life on the water.