There are a few crucial items needed when trying to get out on the water and ride.  First off the rope stretch is an important component of wakeboarding.  When wakeboarding you want to choose a non-stretch rope, if a rope has stretch it has the ability to recoil while the wake boarder is in the air, therefore lessons the chance of gaining the desired height you are trying to reach.  A rope with stretch is typically made for waterskiing because it’s more forgiving and helps pull you back and forth around the slalom course.  Using a stiffer rope allows you more control and gives you the opportunity to maneuver smoothly on the water.  Another important part of wakeboarding is using the correct towrope length.  The rope length has a lot to do with how well you will perform behind the boat.  A good length to start with is about 45-50 feet when learning how to wakeboard.  You want to pick a rope length which makes you feel comfortable in jumping and clearing the wake.  If you encounter problems with clearing the wake, try shortening the rope for an easier ride and also gives you a narrower section of the wake to pass.  As your skill level and experience increases, move to a longer rope length from 50-60 feet away.  At this point you will be able to make bigger cuts in the water and catch way bigger air.  Boat speed then comes into play; a faster boat can accommodate a longer rope.  For example, if you are riding too much in the wash of the wake you should consider either increasing the boat speed or shortening the rope length.  The majority of the time it’s a trial and error situation, just have to feel it out for yourself most of the time.