The 2015 season is getting underway, but some of you might still be looking for a new shred stick. With that in mind we’ve decided to offer up the 2015 Alliance Wake Board Test from the Gear Guide issue here online. Each day for the next ten days or so we will post the results from a different brand. If that’s too confusing, we’ll be going in alphabetical order… Here is the introduction to how the Board Test works and who this year’s testers were. Enjoy all the info about to come, and hopefully it helps with a decision you may make down the road.

Welcome to the 2015 edition of the Alliance Wake Board Test. Since 2010 we’ve dedicated a lot of time and energy into giving you board reviews that you can legitimately use to help you in the purchase of a new wakeboard. This year is no different, and with one of our most accomplished groups of test riders ever, we’re confident this year’s rendition of the Board Test is the best yet.

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Each manufacturer that chose to participate in the 2015 Board Test was allowed to submit up to four boards, provided that the board was a new or heavily redesigned shape, or that it had not been tested in last year’s test. With that we gathered 20 brand new boards, four willing test riders, and hit the park and the wake to put each board through its paces. Read on to find out which boards got the “Alliance Approved” stamp, as well as which board could best suit you and your riding for 2015.

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Thanks to OWC for providing the space to test boards in the park and to Josh Palma for towing the guys with his X-Star for the boat testing.

THE TESTERS

Cody Hesse

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Cody has made some noise in the pro scene the past couple years and might just be one of the most well-rounded riders nobody knows much about yet. That will change soon, especially as he begins to drop some video clips this year. More known for his park skills, Cody is an equally capable boat rider who rides with a ton of style.

Age: 21
Height: 5’8”
Weight: 140lbs
Everyday board: Byerly Felix

Favorite Cable Boards
1. Byerly Felix
2. Slingshot Terrain
3. Liquid Force Tao

Favorite Boat Boards
1. Byerly Felix
2. Byerly Buck
3. Slingshot Blue Pill

 

Gunner Daft

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Gunner is a regular in the up-and-coming crew of next generation shredders. Originally from Oklahoma, Gunner made the move to Orlando a couple years ago and his riding has progressed at an insane pace. He rides with a style all his own – generally preferring a board with simple layup and base.

Age: 18
Height: 5’6”
Weight: 135lbs
Everyday board: O’Brien Bruce

Favorite Cable Boards
1. Slingshot Terrain
2. Byerly Felix
3. Slingshot Whip

Favorite Boat Boards
1. CWB The Standard
2. Byerly Felix
3. Slingshot Blue Pill

 

Pierce Homsey

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Pierce is a name you might recognize from his time competing in the Jr. Men’s division of the PWT – he was definitely one of the most well-rounded riders in his age group. These days Pierce still rides as much as possible with guys like Daniel Powers, but he also has a full time job as a private pilot.

Age: 21
Height: 5’9”
Weight: 185lbs
Everyday board: Ronix One

Favorite Cable Boards
1. Slingshot Terrain
2. Slingshot Whip
3. Byerly Felix

Favorite Boat Boards
1. CWB The Standard
2. Slingshot Blue Pill
3. Byerly Buck

 

Marc Kroon

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Straight out of the Netherlands comes Marc Kroon, who has been competing as a wakeboarder since he was just eight. After finishing school Marc moved to Orlando to pursue riding as a pro full time. He’s gifted behind the boat as well as at the cable park, and knows how different boards handle different environments.

Age: 19
Height: 5’6”
Weight: 143lbs
Everyday board: Hyperlite Franchise

Favorite cable boards
1. Liquid Force Tao
2. Slingshot Terrain
3. Byerly Felix

Favorite Boat Boards
1. Liquid Force RDX
2. Byerly Buck
3. Hyperlite Kruz

THE RATING SYSTEM

Our rating system was set up on a scale of 1-5, but pay attention because in some cases a score of 1 does not necessarily mean “bad.”

 

Boat:
On the water:
Speed (1=Pig, 5=Rocket)
Turning (1=Won’t turn, 5=Slaysher)
Edging (1=Slippery, 5=Locked in)
Tracking (1=Loose, 5=Locked in)
Landing (1=Brick, 5=Feather)
 

Off the wake:
Pop (1=Stuck to water, 5=Superpop)
Release (1=Slides off, 5=Releases late)

In the air:
Swing weight (1=Heavy, 5=Feather weight)

Cable:
On the water:
Speed (1=Pig, 5=Rocket)
Turning (1=Won’t turn, 5=Slaysher)
Edging (1=Slippery, 5=Locked in)
Tracking (1=Loose, 5=Locked in)
Ollie (1=Stuck to water, 5=Pogostick)
Landing (1=Brick, 5=Feather)

On obstacles:
Sliding speed (1=Sticky, 5=Dragster)
Maneuverability (1=Catchy, 5=Free)
Pressability (1=Rock solid, 5=Full court press)