Raptor Darkside Wakeboard
A versatile platform built to grow with your riding
Best for: Riders who want a predictable, stable board that can transition from a beginner-friendly feel to a looser, more advanced ride.
The Darkside is all about versatility. It’s designed to be a stable starting point that doesn't become boring as you get better. Because it combines a smooth, predictable shape with a customizable fin setup, it can be tuned to match your confidence level. It’s one of the best options for families or groups where multiple people - ranging from total novices to confident riders - need to share the same board.
- Adaptable Grip: The board features a removable centre fin that is ideal for beginners. Keeping it in provides maximum stability and tracking while you're learning to hold an edge. Once you’re comfortable, removing it makes the board feel looser and more responsive on the water.
- Forgiving Flow: The shape is engineered for smooth, clean carving. It doesn't have the aggressive 'bite' of a high-end board, which means it’s much more forgiving on your developing skillset.
- Balanced Pop: The Darkside offers a consistent, reliable pop off the wake. It’s not about an explosive, vertical launch; it’s about a predictable and stable jump that allows you to stay composed and focused on your balance in the air.
Our Verdict: The Darkside is a safe bet for anyone who wants a quality board that won't punish them for being new to the sport. It’s light, durable, and offers the ability to change its personality as your skills evolve. If you want one board that can handle the whole boat crew, this is it.
Smooth. Adaptable. Built for Progression.
Step into the Darkside — a wakeboard that’s ready to grow with you.
Whether you’re just starting out or levelling up your skills, the Darkside gives you the perfect balance of support, stability, and freedom to ride your way. It’s forgiving enough for beginners, yet responsive and playful enough to keep more experienced riders stoked.
Learn fast. Ride free. Own your style.
Start strong with the removable centre fin for extra grip and stability while you learn the ropes. Once you’re ready, pull the fin out for a looser, skate-like feel and smoother, freer turns. This board is all about building your confidence and unlocking your flow behind the boat.
Smooth, stable, and quick off the wake — the Darkside is your passport to stylish progression and endless good times.
Why You’ll Love It:
- Perfect for progression – Easy for beginners, fun for experienced riders
- Removable centre fin – Customise your ride from stable to free
- Forgiving ride – Clean carving, soft landings, and smooth starts
- All-day comfort – Designed for long sessions and repeat rides
- Built to last – Durable construction ready for any conditions
Ready to ride the Darkside?
Whether you're learning your first edge or carving up every session, this board has your back (and your feet). Jump on, gear up, and let the good times begin.
Get help
Not sure if this is for you? Get in touch with our team and let us help you find the perfect gear.
When it comes to a choosing a wakeboard, size is crucial. A board that's too small will feel like it's sinking, making you work harder and meaning the boat needs to go faster. A board that's too big can simply be too hard to control.
So how do you choose the right size wakeboard? Read on to find out exactly that, plus some more helpful information to help you better understand wakeboard sizing.
What size wakeboard should I ride?
As a starting point, we recommend using the wakeboard size chart below.
| Rider weight (kg) | 20-35kg | 30-45kg | 40-65kg | 60-80kg | 75-95kg | 90-115kg | 115kg+ |
| Board size (boat) | 115-125cm | 125-130cm | 128-135cm | 133-139cm | 137-142cm | 140-145cm | 144cm+ |
| Board size (cable) | 125-130cm | 130-136cm | 133-139cm | 137-144cm | 142-148cm | 146-152cm | 150cm+ |
Stick to the chart and your shouldn't have any issues at all, but there are some other considerations:
How are wakeboards measured?
Wakeboards are measured in length with the size (e.g. 135) representing the length in centimetres from tip to tail. Each board designed by a manufacturer will come in a range of different sizes, each size often separated by 4-5cm.
When comparing two different model wakeboards, don't get too caught up in a difference of 1-2cm. It's usually those 4-5cm gaps where a more significant difference can be felt on the water.
Don't be afraid to size up
We've kept this chart fairly traditional, but our experience is that going up a size can be beneficial. A bigger board will offer more surface area which helps riders of all levels.
For beginner-intermediate riders, you'll find more surface area provides better stability while more advanced riders find a larger board can provide more pop and enables you to slow the boat down, boosting the wake a little.
It might not be for everyone, but it's something we recommend to just about every customer that we speak to.
Choosing the right size wakeboard for kids
Kids are tricky. Much like buying life jackets, it's uncanny how often you buy something that they outgrow in about 4.3 days.
To that end, we urge you to follow our previous point and size up. You could make an argument to jump two sizes purely from the point of longevity and getting more seasons from your gear.
That approach can trade off some performance in the short term so if you're more focused on progression then stick to a more traditional size, but if you'd rather not buy a new board every season have a look at going up a size or two.
Why are cable boards longer than boat boards?
If you're on the hunt for a cable board, you'll notice the chart above recommends larger boards for cable compared to boat. The primary reason here is speed. Behind a boat, most adults will ride around 22mph, whereas most cables are 3-4mph slower than that.
As you slow down, you need more surface area under your feet to support your weight on top of the water.
Larger boards on cable also provide a little more stability on obstacles and can help keep momentum with heavy landings off kickers and from air tricks.
What next?
When it comes to choosing the right wakeboard for you, size is important but it's not everything. You should also give some consideration to construction, rocker, and riding style.
If you think you've got all the information you need, you can browse our range of wakeboards here. Otherwise, feel free to reach out to our team of experts and we'll help choose the perfect ride!