Welcome back, aspiring boaters! I hope that everyone stays safe during these times with the COVID-19 virus. You may want to go boating or go out like you’re used to, but please stay inside and stay safe!
This week we’ll continue the series on water sports with kneeboarding. For this water sport, as with all of them, you need a life jacket and spotter as required legally (click here for a refresher of boating laws). It is also important for drivers to be aware of the lake and other boats, as well as how the person they’re towing is doing.
checklist
- Kneeboard suitable for your skill and size (see Kneeboard Review for tips)
- Kneeboarding rope with attached handle
- Boat capable of going about 20 MPH
Unique to these boards is the velcro thigh strap that keeps you secure when in motion. There are lots of various features and types of boards, so it’s important to do your research! No-stretch ropes are best, but if you want to share ropes across your water sports, you can use a low-stretch rope for kneeboarding, plus water skiing and wakeboarding at beginner levels.
how to kneeboard
For first timers and young children, it may help to simulate the following process on land before trying it in the water
- Find a safe spot for your deep water spot and make sure the thigh strap is plenty loose. Get into the water and lay on the board on your stomach, like on a bodyboard. You should be facing the boat with the top sticking out of the water at an angle.
- Hold the handle with both hands, but keep your elbows on the board where your knees will go later. Or, if you have a hook on your board, you can keep the handle on it (a hook makes the next step easier, but isn’t necessary). Once you’re ready, signal to your driver to start gradually.
- Once the board flattens out on top of the water, slowly tuck your knees up underneath your torso and thigh strap while keeping your weight back (so you don’t fall forward). Straighten up your back and arms, still keeping the latter slightly bent out in front of you gripping the handle.
- When you’re balanced, take one hand off the handle and secure the strap over your thighs. If you have the handle hook, after doing this you can take it off and grip it regularly.
- Take as much time as you need. Once you’re done, you can signal your driver to accelerate fully (see list below).
- To steer, you can angle your shoulders, lean, and shift your weight in the direction you want to go. With practice, you can successfully cut across the wakes and even do tricks.
- Like with other towable water sports, you can just let go of the rope to stop and sink down into the water; your boat can turn and pick you up. It’s best to signal before doing so.
Rave Sports offers the below guide to kneeboarding speeds, organized by weight.
- Less than 50 pounds: 5-8 mph
- 50 – 100 pounds: 8-12 mph
- 100 – 150 pounds: 12-16 mph
- 150 or more pounds: 16-20 mph
This is only a guide, however; you can find a speed that is most comfortable to you and communicate such with your driver. Remember if you’re falling, let go of the rope. You may think you can save yourself, but especially if you’re just a beginner, holding on will only do more damage.
Start your research now and you can try out kneeboarding for yourself this summer! Comment below with questions or what water sport you would like to read about next. Have fun and be safe!
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Advice for the Aspiring Boater 
Let go of the rope if you don’t want to face plant! 🙂
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