{"id":292,"date":"2021-04-23T09:04:00","date_gmt":"2021-04-23T09:04:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/aquaticglee.com\/?p=292"},"modified":"2023-07-27T03:58:02","modified_gmt":"2023-07-27T03:58:02","slug":"how-to-kneeboard","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/aquaticglee.com\/how-to-kneeboard\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Kneeboard in 4 Basic Steps"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Kneeboarding is a fun and exciting water sport that anyone can learn. The essential items you need to start off include a kneeboard, a tow rope, body of water and motorboat.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

To kneeboard, you basically kneel on the board, sit on your heels, secure yourself to the deck with a strap then grab on to the tow rope as the boat pulls you through the water<\/strong>. Modern kneeboards come with features that allow beginners to start off easily without having to worry about falling off.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Once you get a grip of it, kneeboarding can be a great way to enter other towable board water sports such as surfing and skiing. Following are the steps to learn it plus tips to stay safe.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Preparation<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The first step is to preparing not only the equipment but also yourself. Kneeboarding<\/a> requires the right equipment and skills to pull off properly. This goes for beginners as well as experts in this sport.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You need the following equipment:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A Tow Rope<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The tow rope kneeboarding should be long enough for the right tow. The non-stretch types are the ideal option of starters. As a learner, stretching ropes may present an extra level of difficulty. As you become better at it, you\u2019ll use the low-stretch then progress accordingly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Obcursco
Obcursco tow rope<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

For a comfortable and firm grip, the handle that come with the ropes should be of the right thickness and width<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Further Reading: Best Tow Ropes for Kneeboarding<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Kneeboard<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

You have the choice of a recreational or competitive kneeboard. As a beginner, the recreational one is the best option as it\u2019s cheaper and readily available. It\u2019s also more stable making it easier to balance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Kneeboard
Kneeboard<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Recreational kneeboards thick and buoyant meaning they\u2019ll easily help you stay afloat. Some even come with nice beginner-friendly features including fins and inbuilt hook.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Further Reading: The Best Kneeboards<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tow Boat<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The towboat you pick on should manage speeds of at least 15 to 20 mph (28 to 32 km\/h). As a beginner, you\u2019ll likely go slower than this speed but will eventually catch up to the speed range above.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Certified Life Vest<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Vests are important regardless of your skill level. This is because waves are unpredictable and you\u2019ll often fall off the board no matter how skillful you are. It is an invaluable gear especially if you are newbie with little or no swimming skills<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Calm water body<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The ideal water body, be it a lake or sea, for learning is one that is calm and free of obstacles. Avoid heavy waves and waters that are crowded with other riders and watercraft<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How to Start<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The second step is learning how to start. You can start in two positions, lying on stomach or kneeling while your legs are strapped to the board. The lying position is the best and easiest position for most beginners. It lowers your center of gravity hence making your starts easy and stable while minimizing the falling impact.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

 The kneeling position is ideal if you are starting off land on boards that lack integrated hooks and fins. Following are the steps<\/p>\n\n\n\n

  1. Warm up; do some basic stretches, breath while visualizing yourself on the board having fun.<\/li>
  2. Loosen the knee strap and position it in a way that it is near your torso but far from your knees.<\/li>
  3. Lay on your belly and simply float on the board without any motion from the tow boat. While in this position, your feet should dangle in the water at the tail of the kneeboard.<\/li>
  4. Once you are comfortable in the floating position signal your driver to start the boat.<\/li>
  5. When the boat starts to move, place the handle in the hook and firmly hold unto the sides of the kneeboard with your elbows resting on the kneeboard.<\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n

    You can also start outside water especially with kneeboards without a hook. To start from land simply sit on your heels, secure yourself on the board using the strap, get the tow rope, signal your driver, and then slightly lean back as the boat starts to go.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    If the board has a hook, you can as well attach the handle to it and hold to sides of the board.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    As a starter, holding unto both the board and handle while balancing at the same time can be a bit difficult to pull off. Having the handle on the hook will help you focus on the balancing as the board is towed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Before any movement, ensure the tow rope is tight between you and the tow boat. This prevents the jacking motion that often leads to falling at the start.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \n