need some kneeboarding advice

89sandman · Jul 12, 2012

just picked up a kneeboard and have never done it before. watched a couple of youtube vids but they really didn't get into the basics too much. what i need to know is what speed to go? i have a pole tower for my boat but really don't like to use it because of all the support poles and cable, can i just use the tow ring on the back of my boat to get started? any tips for a first timer? did water ski when i was younger, about 30 years ago, but had a pretty serious motorcycle accident last summer that has left me with a bad left shoulder and don't think it could take the abuse of trying to ski. looks like the kneeboards are pretty easy to get up on. picked up a pro link kidder board cheap and thought i'd give it a try...

86 century · Jul 13, 2012

Re: need some kneeboarding advice

The speed will all depend on the board. You need fast enough to plane the board but not so fast it starts to porous.

Start slow chest on the board as the board planes and becomes stable pull your knees up both at the same time(this is very important if one comes up before the other the board will start to turn on you) strap yourself in and lean back.

Some of my most painfully face plants have been on a knee board.
Good Luck and most of all have fun

dpd2483 · Jul 13, 2012

Re: need some kneeboarding advice

i have kneeboard for 3 years now i like it. i am 50 now about 20 to 30 mph is about right he is right on geting up hold the handel down low in front of you and just have fun go to kneeboard.com forum the help on thare is the best .

spdracr39 · Jul 14, 2012

Re: need some kneeboarding advice

I had trouble getting up the first time until we learned. Get the boat up to 10 mph and wait till the rider gets on his/her knees and gets the strap on. once they are set with rope in hand speed up to riding speed 20-25 depending on comfort level. Also when pulling up to your knees do it as soon as the boat gets you on top of the water and don't try to wiggle up. It needs to be one fluid motion and then make whatever small adjustments to get in position. If you take to long the board will bounce you off before you can get your balance. I found the pull up balance point was with my elbows on the front edge of the pad. Any further forward caused the board to try to dip into the water and sway side to side when I pulled up. I am 6'1 and weigh 215 lbs. Our board is a hydroslide razorback and I love it

As far as the pole goes the ski ring works fine. I have pulled from a tower before and unless you plan on jumping there is no real difference.

FunInDuhSun · Jul 14, 2012

Re: need some kneeboarding advice

I found the easiest launch is from the shore or low dock. Strap yourself in and lean back as the line tightens. The boat operator needs to know how to apply slow but smooth acceleration until you're settled in.

89sandman · Jul 14, 2012

Re: need some kneeboarding advice

thanks for the replies! we did go out today but my buddie went first and got up and going no problem but about half way around the lake he hit another boats wake and ate it pretty good. put a pretty good gash from the front of the board just above his eye so we decided to take it as an omen and stick to the tubes for the rest of the day. will give it a shot next weekend when we go out

anyone wear some kind of helmut??? have seen a couple of vids of the more advanced riders wearing bicycle type helmuts, thinking this may be a good idea!!!

jkust · Jul 14, 2012

Re: need some kneeboarding advice

I'm in my 30's these days and haven't boarded for a number of years but was a hardcore boarder growing up before wakeboards were around. Eventually you'll get good enough where you need no wake what so ever to do a full flip with porpoising. Good luck.

capecodtodd · Jul 16, 2012

Re: need some kneeboarding advice

HI
I have been kneeboarding since the early 90's and it is alot of fun.
To get up 86 Century has good advice. but let me add to it. To start lay on the board and keep that board nose up. Hold the rope handle with one palm up the other down. One time a buddy was out, I took off, the rope broke and the quick loss of tension caused him to hit himself on the nose with the handle so one palm up one down to start. Your elbows are on the board and once the boat gets moving and you and the board get up on plain bring both your legs in one hop til your knees hit your elbows. straighten up, you might have to wiggle forward a inch or 2 to get your knees where they should be on the board then strap in and off you go.
The fun part about kneeboarding is cutting and jumping over the wake so depending on your boat (weight) you will need to cut your pull rope down from the normal 75 feet ski length to maybe 35-40 feet. The speed depends on the person riding. I always liked about 18 mph since a slower speed gave me a better wake to jump but that depends on your boat. Go slower if the rider is new or wants to do something silly like stand up on the kneeboard. Aas long as the board is planing it is OK.
When you get up and strapped in Start your training by turning 90 degrees and holding it. Then go 180 and soon you will be spinning 360's like your'e on glass. Just keep that leading edge up out of the water and you will avoid the face plants. When you get better go outside the wake and do some spins and sharp cuts. We used to run 2 kneeboarders and we would have wars to see if one could knock the other off by cutting sharp and sending a wall of water their way. Fun times. If the water gets too ruff from another boat just get in behind yours and the waves will be lessened.
Another thing like you have already experienced kneeboarding can hurt. When I was expecting a crash or while I was in the middle of one I always put my arm up in front of my face just in case the board did come back at me.
Keep messing around and you will get better and soon you will jumping and spinning and be launching off your moving tube, kneeboarding around then coming back onto the tube or even jumping over it.
Good luck and have a BLAST.
Todd

theBrownskull · Jul 18, 2012

Re: need some kneeboarding advice

I have been knee boarding since 1988 and it is fun. If you plan on trying tricks or jumping the wake get a helmet and good life vest. I broke my 8th rib this June trying to "get some air."

skibrain · Jul 18, 2012

Re: need some kneeboarding advice

When teaching new knee boarders we remove the strap or have them kneel on top of it. You don't need it to get up, you can do a lot of surface turns without it, and WIPEOUTS don't hurt because you're not tied to the board when you catch an edge or bury the nose. The strap can also complicate getting into the right position on the board (scoot forward enough so the front doesn't bounce).

Hold the handle low. Pretend it connects to your body about at your navel. Pulling from your core like this will lessen your wipeouts, surface turns easier, and landings - once you do start jumping - will be more solid.

possum2082 · Jul 21, 2012

Re: need some kneeboarding advice

http://www.aquatichook.com/

great item to get your starts quick and painless. and it keeps it fun for beginners. a lot of newer kneeboards have these built in.

jkust · Jul 22, 2012

Re: need some kneeboarding advice

We generally went 17mph with a sinificantly shortened rope but you can easily locate the sweet spot of your wake. In order to do many of the tricks, you will need to clear both wakes and land on the down slope of the opposite wake. Learning how to 'pop' will allow you to easily clear both wakes. We used to have the wars pulling multiples like mentioned above of course we never had any safety equipment back in the day. The simplest, most basic air 'trick' is to wrap the rope around your body and pull it hard while you are in the air and you do a simplified version of a 360 without passing the rope hand to hand.

sickwilly · Jul 23, 2012