A wakeboarder is towed across the water on a rectangular board with bindings or a rope attached to it. A motorboat, a closed-loop cable system, a winch, or a personal water boat may tow the wakeboard.
Wakeboarding is a part of the Olympic Games in numerous countries.
While wakeboarding has the potential to cause physical harm, there is evidence that these mishaps can be prevented and, in most situations, wakeboarding may help you both physically and mentally.
Common Wakeboarding Injuries
Head
wakeboarding injuries include head and neck lacerations, as well as concussions. The most significant impact is generally on the head when you are immersed in the water. Ear ruptures from a sudden fall and receiving a blow to the head are also typical wakeboarding injuries.
Arm
Wakeskaters are susceptible to such injuries as fractures, strains, sprains, contusions, abrasions, and dislocations.
Back
Wakeboard injuries are common, with fractures, bruises, strains, sprains, lower back pain and rib injuries being the most prevalent.
Injury Statistics
The head and face, arms, back and trunk, and legs are the most frequent injuries suffered by wakeboarders. There are significantly more males than females who participate in wakeboarding, but their types of injuries are comparable.
The most common types of injuries are lacerations, concussions, ankle sprains, spine fractures, and arm dislocations.
The probability of sustaining an injury at any skill level is very similar. However, the types of injuries vary with greater skill and effort to execute twists and turns.
Risk Factors
The current status of wakeboarding risk factors is dismal. The weather, equipment, level of experience, education, and health are all possible wakeboarding accident causes.
Environment
The risks of injuries include bad weather and water conditions, as well as wakeboarding in restricted areas.
Level of Experience
At any level, wakeboarders are prone to injury. novice wakeboarders are most frequently harmed when jumping from the water; pro/advanced and intermediate wakeboarders, on the other hand, are most frequently hurt as a result of falling.
Intermediate wakeboarders have a higher rate of ACL tears than advanced wakeboarders, with novice wakeboarders having the lowest incidence.
Boat Operator Knowledge
The lack of experience, ability, training, or expertise on behalf of the vessel’s operator is a risk factor for wakeboarding injuries. Operators should be made aware of the boat’s required speed and acceleration.
Equipment
Wearing protective equipment, such as a life jacket or personal flotation device, a helmet, and a wet or drysuit, can help you avoid injury.
Wakeboarder Education
If wakeboarders aren’t properly trained in techniques to exit the water, simple hand signals to communicate with the spotter, ways to minimize the tow rope’s force, and the significance of letting go as they fall, they may be at greater risk of harm.
Fitness
Wakeskating demands significant upper body strength in order to maintain balance and posture.
How Can I prevent Injury
When you engage in more physical activity, you can expect some muscle discomfort or joint discomfort. It’s critical to pay attention to your body’s chronic or increasing pain and when to relax. Learn how to prevent Wakeboarding Accidents.
If you don’t have access to a coach or group, speak with your coach or group about the preventative methods listed below and how they might be incorporated into training and policies.
Strength Training and Neuromuscular Training Program
Warm up before wakeboarding to prevent injuries; many wakeboarders shift from passive jobs as boat drivers or spotters to riding without ever exercising.
Strength training on dry land is beneficial since it can be converted to a facility that allows for ‘wakeboarding into form,’ which raises the risk of harm. Other advantages of dry land conditioning include muscle balance correction, damaged muscle and joint regeneration, and reduction of strength loss during the off-season.
Specific Wakeboarding Strength and Conditioning Exercises
Shouldn’t you focus on your posture, balance, and wakeboard stability? Consider learning more about how to integrate these activities into your routine:
Tandem squats and deadlifts will help you achieve greater stability.
Trunk muscles are toned by torso rotations, supine boards, prone boards, and side bridges.
Other popular strength-training exercises include wall slides, sitting rows, and pull-ups.
Sports Injury Prevention Research Centre Neuromuscular Training
Daily activity in a resistance training program, such as a neuromuscular training warm-up program, can reduce the risk of all lower-body injuries by up to 50 percent.
The Sports Injury Prevention Research Center has created a neuromuscular warm-up regimen that may be used to train in a variety of sports. A regular basic warm-up, such as this one, has been linked to a significant reduction in lower-body injuries.
Oslo Sports Trauma Research Centre Neuromuscular Training
Strength training should be avoided if at all possible. The Oslo Sports Trauma Research Center developed exercises that are meant to protect the shoulder and minimize the chance of shoulder and ankle injuries.
Managing Concussion
When wakeboarding, concussions are a frequent occurrence. It is critical to be aware of the symptoms and indicators of a concussion and what to do if you suspect one. The Concussion Awareness Training Tool (CATT) is an online tool that teaches users about how to detect, avoid, and treat a concussion.
Information for parents, teachers and coaches is also included in the handbook to help you identify potential concussions, as well as how to respond if one occurs. The CATT website contains comprehensive Return to School and Return to Sport procedures as well.
Other Considerations
Ensure that the equipment is working properly. Wakeboards should be suited for your weight and height. To decrease the likelihood of numerous skin abrasion, lacerations, and/or contusions, use protective clothing such as a wet or drysuit.
Wear a life jacket and helmet, too. Choosing a tow rope with a plastic or foam covering may also help to minimize the risk of harm. When gathering bindings, caution is advised since wakeboard bindings are firmly secured.
The feet are firmly attached to the board using an uncomfortable release technique that may cause difficulties during the fall. In addition, if these straps are easily worn, one foot may fall out of the strap while the other remains in, resulting in a deadly scenario where the wakeboard is difficult to control.
Education
If you’re new to wakeboarding, take lessons from an experienced instructor. Stay away from tethered bladders and learn about the precautions for safety. Know how to evaluate both water and weather before going in the water, as well as low and high tide dates if necessary.
Sleep, Vigilance and Sports Injury Prevention
Alertness, also known as vigilantness, is required for successful physical activity. Sleep helps your body recover, help you accomplish your objectives, and minimize the chance of injury. Having less than 8 hours of sleep raises your danger by up to 70%.
Sport-related Physicals
While wakeboarding may be a physically demanding pastime, certain health conditions can raise the danger of injury. An annual fitness-related physical examination that guarantees participation in sports can help minimize the incidence of injuries.
KidsHealth’s Sports & Games section offers information on what sports are, why they’re good for you, and where you can participate.
