Kneeboarding is a simple and interesting water sport that anyone can participate in. The basic equipment you’ll need to get started include a kneeboard, tow line, body of water, and motorboat.
To kneeboard, you simply kneel on the board, sit on your heels, fasten yourself to the deck with a strap, and then grasp onto the tow rope as the boat draws you through the water.
Beginners will benefit from the features that come with most kneeboards, which allow them to get started without having to worry about falling off.
Kneeboarding can be a fun activity to try out once you’ve mastered it. It may be a fantastic method to try other towable board water sports like surfing and skiing. Here are the instructions for learning it, as well as suggestions for staying safe.
Kneeboarding Equipment
The first step is to prepare both the equipment and oneself. To execute this sport successfully, you’ll need the appropriate tools and abilities. This also applies to novices and experts in this activity.
You’ll need the following items:
A Tow Rope
The tow line for kneeboarding should be long enough to give the appropriate pull. Non-stretch materials are the best choice for beginners. Stretching ropes might be more difficult as a novice, but with practice, it will get easier. As you improve, you’ll want to move on to low-stretch ropes.
The handle that comes with the ropes should be of the proper thickness and breadth for a secure and comfortable grip.
Kneeboard
You can choose between a recreational and competitive kneeboard. The recreational one is the best option as it is less expensive and readily available for beginners. It’s also more stable, making balance easier.
Kneeboards for recreational use are big and buoyant, making them ideal for keeping you afloat. Some even include fins and an integrated hook, making them great for beginners.
Tow Boat
The towboat you select should be capable of driving at speeds of at least 15 to 20 mph (28 to 32 km/h). You will most likely travel slower than this speed as a novice, but you will eventually reach the speed range above.
Certified Life Vest
Vests are crucial regardless of your experience level. This is since waves are unpredictable, and even expert surfers fall off the board from time to time. It’s a must-have item, especially if you’re a novice swimmer with no prior experience.
Calm water body
The ideal water learning environment is one that is calm and free of problems. Heavy waves and waters with other boaters and watercraft are to be avoided.
How to Start
The first stage is to learn how to get started. You may begin in two postures: on your stomach or kneeling with your legs bound to the board. For most people, the position of resting on their stomach is ideal and simple. It lowers your center of gravity, making starts easier and more secure while minimizing the falling impact.
If you’re starting on boards without built-in hooks and fins, the prone position is the way to go.
Here are the procedures:
- Warm up by performing some easy stretches and breathing while thinking about yourself on the board having a good time.
- Loosen the knee strap and lay it close to your body, but not near your knees.
- Simply float on the board without any activity from the tow boat when you’re in this position. Your feet should dangle in the water at the tail of the kneeboard while you’re doing this.
- When you’re ready, signal your driver to start the boat.
- When the boat begins to pull, position the handle in the hook and push it firmly against the kneeboard’s edges with your elbows resting on top of it.
You may also begin with a watercraft without a hook, particularly when using a kneeboard. Begin from land by sitting on your heels, fastening the board to the strap, obtaining the tow line, signaling your driver, and then slightly leaning back as the boat begins to move.
If there is a hook on the board, you may also hang the handle from it and hold it at both ends.
As a beginner, attempting to balance both the board and handle at the same time might be difficult. Having the hook with the handle on it will assist you in keeping your focus on balancing while you tow the board.
It’s important to double-check the tightness of the tow rope before every movement. This avoids the jacking motion, which has a high occurrence of falling at first.
How to Get Up on a Kneeboard
After you’ve learnt to start up, the next stage is getting up. You can float and balance on your belly while being towed at this point.
The procedures for rising from the prone posture are as follows:
- Slowly bend your knees from the flat position toward your elbows.
- Knees should be tucked in completely, with your shins flat, before sitting down on your heels.
- Over your thighs, cinch the strap.
- Remove the tow rope handle from the hook with your hands and hold it (handle) firmly. Your palms should be facing downwards before you begin. This helps to keep you more comfortable and increases your control.
- Increase the boat’s speed by signaling to your driver.
- As the boat picks up speed, shift your body weight to the board’s rear.
- When you first begin to skate fast, focus on moving in a straight line. After you’ve mastered that, you may learn how to maneuver the boat as it glides.
Types of Boats Used for Kneeboarding
At least part of what makes kneeboarding so popular is that it may be done with almost any type of boat. From bowriders to deck boats, ski and wake boats, cruisers, and everything in between, anything works.
Wake boats are fantastic for experienced riders because of the moves they may perform off big wakes; however, even pontoon boats are appropriate for towing children on a kneeboard, although you’ll want more than a 25-horsepower engine to ensure your passengers can start in deep water.
Obviously, when riders get older and improve, pontoons may fall behind.
Types of Kneeboards
Kneeboards are made of a variety of materials, depending on the intended rider. This influences the materials and designs available.
- Beginner boards are usually roto-molded plastic with bottoms designed to make usage easier for novice riders.
- Compression molded construction is more common in the middle of the road.
- Wood stringers and a CNC-machined foam core and sandwich construction store energy that is released as it flies from the wake.
Over time, ski and wakeboard construction skills have trickled down to kneeboards. There’s a lot of science behind it. There is no such thing as a dedicated kneeboard rack for storage, but you may get wakeboard racks with an extra broad fork that will fit a kneeboard.
Controlling the Speed & Turning
Begin with low speeds as a novice. As you become more experienced, increase the speed. Tell your boat driver what speed you’re comfortable with.
The speed varies based on a rider’s weight and skill level for boat drivers. The higher the weight and skill level, the greater the velocity. For reference, see the following chart.
- 5-8 mph tow speed; less than 50lbs kneeboarder weight
- 8-12 mph tow speed; 50-100lbs weight of kneeboarder
- 12-16 mph tow speed; 100-150lbs kneeboarder weight
- 16-20 mph tow speed; more than 150lbs kneeboarder weight
It’s time to turn or steer when you’re cruising at a reasonable speed.
To turn the kneeboard, simply lean your head and shoulders in the direction you wish to go; usually the direction the boat is traveling.
This will turn the board’s front and allow you to apply pressure to the board’s edge in the direction you want to go. You also need to turn your hip into the direction you want to go in order to make stronger turns.
You’ll figure out how much leaning is required for what speed and degree of turn over time.
The preceding are the fundamentals, and you’ll be able to complete them faster over time. Medium-level kneeboarders, for example, can keep hold of the tow rope with one hand while securing their thighs on the board with the other without falling off.
Hand Signals
These are signals that the kneeboarder and tow boat driver use to communicate various things. Because of the speed and noise of the water, verbal communication may not be possible, so both the kneeboarder and driver should be familiar with them.
They’re as follows:
Speed up
A thumbs up with either hand is the signal for speeding up.
Slow down
The thumbs down signal is used to instruct the tow boat driver to slow down by using either hand.
OK
A ring formed with the index finger and thumb, with the three fingers spread out, is used to indicate that everything (or speed) is okay.
Turn
The turning signal is a one-fingered hand gesture used to indicate that the kneeboarder or tow driver should turn in a particular direction. You raise one finger and make a circle with it, then point in the direction you’re going to turn or want to turn.
Back to the dock
When you pat the top of your head, it indicates that you should return to the dock via the kneeboarder or tow boat crew.
Stop/Cut motor
If you make the slashing motion at your throat while signaling, the tow boat’s driver will come to a halt. An onlooker on the side may also use this sign with the same meaning.
I’m ok
Always clap your hands above your head after a fall to let the driver and witness know you’re OK.
These are typical signals for any water activity, and they should be trained for safety.
Water Skier’s Safety Codes
These are codes that must be followed for safety, regardless of the water activity you participate in.
They’re are follows:
- Always wear a life vest.
- Before you begin, double-check your equipment.
- Don’t give the starting signal until you’re ready.
- Keep your kneeboard at a safe distance from other swimmers, boats, and docks.
- Don’t wrap any part of your body with the handle.
- Avoid kneeboarding near shore or shallow areas.
- To prevent injuries, you should aim to fall either backwards or sideways rather than straight forward.
- Before you do the activities, learn the hand signals above.
- When you fall into the water and other individuals are kneeboarding or skiing around you, raise the board’s side out of the water to indicate to others that you’re there to avoid injuries.
- It is not recommended to kneeboard until you are completely exhausted.
- At night, even the moon or floodlights should not be used.
- Ensure that the motor is switched off before boarding or leaving the tow boat.
- Even if you’re a seasoned kneeboarder, have someone on the sidelines watching you from all angles.
The latest safety rules for scuba diving are outlined in these guidelines, which will ensure that you’re safe at all times while underwater.
FAQs
Is kneeboarding bad for your knees?
Injuries are unusual when done correctly with the appropriate board. In situations where riders perform dangerous tricks and stunts, however, injuries are probable. This is due to the impact of falling on water and bouncing off it.
There’s a chance you’ll accidentally hit other objects while performing the stunts. In addition to the standards above, here are some pointers and suggestions for avoiding discomfort and injuries.
- If you have any issues, do not go to kneeboard.
- Choose a kneeboard that is constructed of the proper materials. The boards may also be fitted with extra comfort fittings if desired.
- Before you start kneeboarding, stretch.
- Maintain great posture or form during the activity: back straight, shoulders slightly slanted backward. Elbows bent and close to the body. Outside of your hips, not quite at your heels, on top of your heels. Your bottom should be directly above your heel.
How do you do kneeboard tricks?
Kneeboarding may be performed in a variety of ways, but most of it is determined by your experience in the activity. Learn the fundamentals first if you’re just getting started.
What is kneeboarding?
Towed water sports are a fantastic way to get kids and adults interested in the water. It necessitates more skill than tubing, but it isn’t as difficult as waterskiing, wakeboarding, or wakesurfing.
How to kneeboard?
Simply move your hands at a rate of approximately once every three or four seconds (while talking). Direct your attention to keeping your weight balanced toward the rear and your arms extended in front of you, but not with locked elbows.
How to do a 360 on a kneeboard?
This is the first of many kneeboarder’s tricks. It’s difficult to describe, but you must keep the kneeboard’s leading edge up and the weight concentrated toward the rear, especially when sideways.
Kneeboards have what’s known as a “rocker” from front to back. It’s essentially a small curvature. However, the board has less rocker from side to side than it does from front to rear. Begin by attempting to kneeboard backwards, then returning to a straight ahead position.
Try to get all the way around, swapping the handle behind your back as you go.
How to flip on a kneeboard?
It helps if you have a decent-sized wake to use as your “ramp.” Begin outside the wake and steer into it, keeping the board straight ahead.
When you’re going fast and maneuvering hard, it’s important to keep control. You’ll need some core strength and speed here, but twist as the board arches up from the wake so that your body is in line with the nose of the board when it comes back around to the water’s surface.
Wipeouts will be a part of your practice, so you’d better get used to it.
