For years we've been meaning to put together a gift buying guide for the holidays and we've finally gotten around to it. It just seems like a good way to help our readers find something unique and useful for fellow wakeboarders on their shopping list. Another, possibly more important, use is for our readers to leave a copy of this article sitting around the house or office as a subtle hint to potential gift-givers. It's the kind of hint that says, "Steer clear of the gloves and trick skis and get me something I can really use to improve my wakeboarding game."
To make things as simple as possible, we've broken down the gift ideas into five price ranges and provided links to assist in purchasing these items online. So get the holiday spirit flowin' and start purchasing some goodies...
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Gifts Priced Under $50
This is probably going to be the most popular category due to the small bite on your wallet, so we're going to throw all kinds of stuff at you. Probably the first item that comes to mind when buying a gift is some kind of clothing. You shouldn't have any problem finding a cool t-shirt or some boardshorts. BuyWake has got a slew of goodies to choose from in their Dressing Room. And don't forget to outfit your loved ones in our own WakeWorld Gear, especially our hoodies ($25) and long-sleeve tees ($17) for the cold holiday weather.
You might also think about the safety of those you're buying for by picking up a Capix Wake Cap helmet ($34.95) to protect their noggin. Getting them to read their wakeboarding instruction manual will also keep them safe. A copy of Wake Physics ($39.95) will ensure that they're doing everything correctly. Not only that, but it will fit in a stocking! Another great stocking stuffer (although you might have to roll it up) is the Sidewayz 2004 calendar ($11.95).
Of course, the most obvious low-dollar item would be wakeboarding DVD's. Check out the latest feature films such as Blacklist ($27.95) and Delta Sessions ($22.95), or the most extensive instructionals, such as Higher Education ($29.99) or Detention ($37.95). For the wakeskater on your list, Sfumato ($24.95) will quench their thirst for bindingless riding footage, while Snap ($29.99) will teach them everything they need to know about riding a wakeskate. If these don't work for you, Boardflix has got an extensive selection of wakeboarding and wakeskating DVD's that should fit what you're looking for.
For the wakeboarder with a boat, your choices expand even further. No boat is complete without an Anchor Buddy ($25.99) to keep it in place. Every boat owner needs a Hex Machine ($13.99) in his or her glove box so that they can quickly adjust boards, bindings and whatnot. To keep expensive equipment like cameras and camcorders dry, check out the line of affordable waterproof cases available from Dry Pak starting at only $16.99. Now they'll be able to take pics from the water without damaging their camera.
Gifts Priced Between $50 and $100
This is a good price range for the wakeskater on your list because most of their gear will fall into this category. Set them up with one of Hyperlite's affordable Scape wakeskates ($99.95) and their own pair of Bling Wakeskate Shoes ($79.99) from 3Thirteen. Add a Straightline Squid/Ultra Lite Handle and Spectra Rope Combo ($89.99) and they'll have everything but the boat.
To help wakeskaters and wakeboarders get their groove on while off the water, pick up an Indo Balance Board ($94.99) so that they can practice their moves in the comfort of their own home. Speaking of homes, every board needs one when it's not in the board racks or under its owner's feet, so consider giving a Liquid Force Weekender ($79.99) or Hyperlite Padded ($99.95) board bag. If they can't bag it, then maybe they're looking for a Phat Rack ($69.95) so that they can hang it on the wall with up to seven other boards.
For the boat owner, help them sink that bad boy with some Coverless V-Drive 500 lb. sacks ($75.00) from LetsGoRide.com. Once sunk, dress it up with some touches that only the classiest vessels will don. Start with some license numbers ($89.00 for two sets) from Domed Numbers that stand out from the hull both physically and aesthetically. Finally, replace those standard plastic cup holders with machined aluminum anodized Orbs ($80.00 for a set of four) from Aero Design.
Gifts Priced Between $100 and $250
Alright, we're entering the triple digits, so now we're talking about some people you must really care about. Start out by making sure they show up to the dock on time with a Spoon Metal Michi Tabi watch ($185.00). Once they arrive, make sure they're safe by outfitting them in a quality USCG approved vest like the O’Neill Reactor ($100.00).
With the growing popularity of wakesurfing and wakeskating, you might pick them up the very affordable Liquid Force Skimskate ($199.99) or a Cassette 4 Trac ($199.99). Believe it or not, you can even get them a wakeboard in this price range such as the Liquid Force DLX ($229.95) or the O'Brien Suspect ($249.99). Top that off with some low-priced bindings like the Liquid Force Alpha ($199.95).
To keep all these boards off the floor of the boat a chrome Pitchfork Board Rack ($199.99) would come in handy. Now that the floor is clear, help them cover it with 1,200 lbs. of ballast with the enormous
Launch Pad Sofa ($149.99). Hang a Hyperlite Carbon Handle ($139.95) from the tower and you'll have created memories the likes of which they will never forget.
Gifts Priced Between $250 and $20,000
It must be love. Nobody ventures into this gift-giving price range without some genuine feelings for the giftee. Keep that in mind if you receive one of these gifts because we all know that more money equals more love! Now that the poetry is out of the way, let's talk gifts. The incredibly obvious gift items in this price range are wakeboards. But there are so many to choose from. We recommend starting with the WakeWorld Board Wizard to get your options narrowed down. Then you can pull the trigger on crazy new designs like the Hyperlite Byerly ($404.99), the Gator Boards Ricky Gonzalez ($359.99) or the Hyperlite Temet ($405.95).
If you really want to make an impression, go with the whole enchilada and get them a board and binding package such as the
CWB Pure with CWB Torq bindings ($399.99) or the Hyperlite Motive with Split bindings ($419.95).
If the object of your affection is already happily hitched to a wakeboard, maybe a wakesurf board like the Inland Surfer Green Room ($390.00) is what they're looking for. As the weather gets colder, every boarder will need a way to keep warm. The O'Neil Throttle Neoprene Drysuit ($379.99) would be the perfect solution.
If there's a boat in the picture, your options expand that much more. Give a monster gift with the affordable and functional Monster Tower ($995.00). Deck out the tower with a set of wakeboard racks such as the innovative new Nvert Strapless Racks ($289.95 each) or the aluminum Flite Racks ($255.95 each). Finish off the tower with some great looking speakers like the Fluid Concepts Rock Stars ($499.00 per pair) and some lights like Roswell Wake Air's Piaa Lighting.
And what self-respecting boat owner wouldn't want a fully-automatic, under-floor water ballast system to quickly and easily push their swimstep under the water's surface? So hook them up with the Rival Industries Ballast System ($1,095.00).
Here's a great idea. Buy the gift of summer. That's right. Pick up an all-expense-paid, week-long trip to Josh Sanders Wakeboard School ($1,000 AUS plus airfare) in Australia where summer is just getting under way.
Gifts Priced Over $20,000
Well, you've apparently already bought them a ring, so why not get them a boat too! You can get in at the entry level with a Moomba Mobius LSV ($30,995 base) or go to the top of the line with a Nautique Super Air 210. Either way, when you're spending that much money, I doubt you're getting your ideas from this gift guide!
Clearance Items
Don't forget that this is a great time of year to find reduced prices on 2003 gear that shops are trying to get rid of so they can order 2004 gear. Closeout sales are a goldmine for the thrifty shopper, so visit the following closeout centers and see if you can find some deals.
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