2014 Slingshot Skim Bender Wakesurf Review

Posted by Jason Craveiro on June 26, 2014

Estimated 2 minute read

Our Buyer John has been in the watersports industry for over 15 years. He's seen wakesurfing pick up steam over the last decade to become the fastest growing aspect of our sport. Here's his review of the 2014 Slingshot Skim Bender Wakesurf Board.

"Recently we took some of the Slingshot Wakesurf Board's out at Prineville Reservoir in Central Oregon. One of the boards I had been excited to try was the Slingshot Skim Bender. I really enjoy the skim style boards and I don't think they get enough credit in the industry. The board I used was the 56" version. I am 5'10" and 155 lbs. and was riding behind a moderately weighted 2004 Malibu Wakesetter VLX. I could have easily ridden the 52", but I wasn't sure what the wake would be like, so I opted for the bigger board.
The board was easy to keep under your feet for a deep water start and rose out of the water super easy. It was also easy to get up with your feet resting on the top of the board as well if you can't deep water start.

Now keep in mind that this was my first set of the year. What I noticed immediately was how fast this board is. I could get way back in the wake and instantly generate speed to the platform. I also noticed that if I was aggressive on my edging and carving the board wanted to stuff the nose in the water.I shifted my weight back and as I warmed up this went away. I did wipe out a few times if I didn't concentrate on keeping my weight back.

Because this board generated so much speed I could stall out on the top of the wake frontside and backside and easily get back in the wave. I could also carve out to the trough and back which you can't do on a lot of boards unless the wake is huge. I rode the board as a tri fin and would have liked the single fin set up, but I like a board that feels loose on the water, so I can rely on the edges. You can ride it as a tri, dual or single fin.

My overall opinion on the board was that it was fantastic. This board was confidence inspiring because of the speed it generated and definitely made me push my abilities. It put a smile on my face and everyone else that rode it. If I was Slingshot I would add some rocker in the nose for 2015, and some smaller fin options, but I will keep you posted as I will definitely ride this board again and behind a heavily weighted boat."