Kneeboarding questions.

[Dyna]

Just picked up a kneeboard today & have a few questions since im a complete rookie at this. How exactly do you get started in the water? I know I hook the ski handle behind the hook on the front of the board so my arms dont take the brunt of the acceleration, but is there any special body positions or anything that will help get this thing up out of the water?<br /><br />Im 42 & besides jetskis & towing tubes have absolutely no experience with this sort of thing.<br /><br />Thanks.

 

[tommays]

Re: Kneeboarding questions.

i am 49.5 and got a real bad back and not much of a left arm from a bad accident<br /><br /> and i like the kneeboard the best i dont get the tug on my back like when i stand on a wakeboard<br /><br />i dont hook the handle i just lay flat on the board and hold the front of the board and the handle at the same time with both hands<br /><br />it does require that the boat driver keeps the speed down at this point maybe 10 to 12 MPH <br /><br />once we get steady i just pull myself up in one steady even motion both knees at the same time or you your going to fall over<br /><br />i find its inportant to have the knee strap adjusted correctly before i start because its hard to hold on with one hand and tighten it<br /><br />after that its side-slide and wake turn time and your a lot closer to the water so the face plants hurt a LOT less <br /><br /><br />tommays

 

[PAkev]

Re: Kneeboarding questions.

Unlike watersking you have a little more going on with a kneeboard. In addition to holding onto the rope, you also have to position yourself on the board while getting on plane. It is a good idea to have a boat driver that also knows how to kneeboard if possible because they can understand the timing involved with the mechanics and therefore execute the most appropriate speed to get up.<br /><br />I've seen some folks crunch the handle between their legs and behind their knees and then take it out to grab with their hands when up and going. However, I believe this can be dangerous for a beginner because if your balance becomes compromised while getting up you will probably get drug through the water for a while before your driver can realize things are going wrong and make a decision to abort the mission..... aside from the possibly of not having another fathers day gift to open.<br /><br />As far as the mechanics I will do my best to explain what works for me:<br /><br />Unless, you are going off a beach or dock, starting from a dead stop is almost impossible so for water starts, it is usually best if the boat is in gear at a fairly slow speed while the rider begins to get positioned. I usually hang onto the rope handle while getting one knee up in the strap and positioning the board straight ahead and at a 45 degree angle from the waterline. At this point the the driver knows my position is being aquired and accellerates as I pull the other knee in on the way up. Like waterskiing, the start usuallally involves the most effort and you can become too tired before you can even get up. So if you don't get it after two or three tries, give someone else a turn while you regain some energy. <br /><br />Have fun

 

[snapperbait]

Re: Kneeboarding questions.

And if all else fails, try a beach start... Starting out all strapped in from a beach in a couple inches of water.. This method does require a a good boat driver who can manage a smooth but firm pull... So if the driver is a novice at pulling skiers, I would not advise it..<br /><br />While trying a "beach start" I would highly advise you do NOT use the tow hook on the board to hold the rope handle... You could really get worked over... Hold the rope handle in your hands... The pull on your arms is not as strong as you might think.. <br /><br />few more tips.<br /><br />When readying for take-off in deep water, losen the strap and hold the strap in your hands along with the rope handle... This will help keep the strap from getting away from you.. As you work your way up on the board and get in position (one fluid motion), pull the handle in toward your lower chest, that way the rope handle will be in position right over your legs, then just drop the strap over your legs.. When you have your balance let go with your right hand and pull the strap tight.. Try the deep water start on land a few times too.. seems goofy, i know, but it helps..<br /><br />Don't let the rope handle get out in front of you.. Keep the handle close... Arms always bent, never straight out in front of you.... That's the key to good balance..<br /><br />To side slide, pull the handle toward your hip leaning slightly to the opposite side..<br /><br />And, like Pakev says, when your tired, give it a rest....<br /><br />Remember... You gotta love to crash.... (an insane fool told me that once)<br /><br />Good luck, Dyna..

 

[jamesgreen]

Re: Kneeboarding questions.

They gave you some pretty good advice just remeber to be patient you won't get it the first time. I always deep water start laying on the board with my elbows on the front of the pad and the strap out in front of me out of the way. Once the borad gets on top of the water use one motion to get your knees under you keep your arms bent. The best thing to do is get off your computer and on the water! Good Luck<br />Let us know how you did.

 

[Dyna]

Re: Kneeboarding questions.

Thanks for the advice, will definitely try pretty much all of the suggestions this coming holiday weekend.

 

[sangerwaker]

Re: Kneeboarding questions.

Depending on the board you have, it IS possible to remain strapped in and do a deepwater start. The trick is to try to place your chin on the tip of the board. Not the most comfortable position, but on a newer style "thin" board, this is very possible.<br /><br />Very good advice from all above. As said, it's a learning thing. Don't get discouraged if you don't get it right away. It takes time and can be done.

 

[dorelse]

Re: Kneeboarding questions.

It took me more than a few tries to learn the 'belly' starts. It is all about balance. <br /><br />Once you get it, you'll never look back. The best way that I learned was watching someone else do it first, so I could see what I needed to do, and then try to duplicate his motions. They were also able to give me advice on what I was doing wrong.<br /><br />Most of all though was practice. My board is a beginner one (OBrien Orbit) and I'm pretty sure it won't allow a 'strapped in' deepwater start. Its too boyant. I may have to get a new one to try it.<br /><br />I really do like them better than wakeboarding & waterskiing...but that's just for me.

 

[tomatolord]

Re: Kneeboarding questions.

One thing they left out<br /><br />The driver of the boat has to be very aware of the different speeds needed to get going.<br /><br />1st speed - slow enough so you are not on plane - the issue being that once you get up on plane you cannot pull yourself onto the board. So you need to be plough through the water in order to use that tension on the rope to pull you onto the board.<br /><br />2nd speed - once you have pulled yourself up on the board you then need to get the board on plane but not too fast as the boarder needs to get the strap around themselves.<br /><br />3 - boarding speed - once the strap is around your knnews this is the speed you want to actually knee board at.<br /><br />My brother was a complete idiot and still is when it comes to driving the boat - we did it with nods of the head to go to the next speed up. the issue being your hands are tied up holding on and moving the strap around.<br /><br />We do the following<br /><br />Adjust the strap to your size position<br />Lay down on the board<br />Have the triangle of the tow handle over the nose of the board so you are pulled straight and not at an agle<br />get up to speed 1<br />Pull yourself up on the board into a kneeling position<br />get up to speed 2<br />adjust strap around knees<br />get up to speed 3<br /><br />One of the key things is to not fight it or you will tire quickly.

 

[dorelse]

Re: Kneeboarding questions.

My wife keeps the boat in forward 'idle' speed so I can get situated properly before giving her the nod to go for it. <br /><br />Then she just gives it hell (or me hell I'm not sure yet! ;-)<br /><br />You'll get it, after a few tries.

 

[vonway]

Re: Kneeboarding questions.

i too have been considering wake board vs knee board... sounds like the knee board is less shock to the body. Is it less difficult to perform on a knee board? MMMM maybe ill get a knee board to start.

 

[tommays]

Re: Kneeboarding questions.

its way easery when you turn on a wake board and catch and edge it really slaps the cr@@ out of your face because it stops on a dime and you keep going <br /><br />on a knee board you just kind of roll over and only slap it a littel<br /><br /><br />tommays

 

[sangerwaker]

Re: Kneeboarding questions.

Unless you are jumping the wake and do a nose dive and hang on for a milisecond too long.....<br /><br />Hyperextending the lower back can hurt like you know what!!!

 

[QC]

Re: Kneeboarding questions.

Originally posted by sangerwaker:<br /> Unless you are jumping the wake and do a nose dive and hang on for a milisecond too long.....<br /><br />Hyperextending the lower back can hurt like you know what!!!

I have done just that and it is no fun. I wish it hadn't happened as I was having a lot of fun on a kneeboard until that. Now I am very tentative, oh and old. Well, not old like JB old, but now I mostly just tow kids around . . .

 

[snapperbait]

Re: Kneeboarding questions.

Unless you are jumping the wake and do a nose dive and hang on for a milisecond too long.....<br /><br />Hyperextending the lower back can hurt like you know what!!!

And the concussion that goes along with it is'nt any fun either... I know... Twice...

That headache lasts a loooong time too..<br />

 

[artburr]

Re: Kneeboarding questions.

Question: I have a 16 ft. Alumacraft bass boat with a 40 hp Nissan that goes about 27 mph flat out. My grandson has used a kneeboard on another boat and wants me to get one. Do I have enough power?

 

[artburr]

Re: Kneeboarding questions.

This is a test to see if avitar is diplayed.

 

[PAkev]

Re: Kneeboarding questions.

Don't know the size of your grandson but I would guess the 40hp may take a while to get up out of the hole with your towing resistance. Also remember the spotter (more weight) in your boat will keep the boat pushing more water before planing out. <br /><br />I think it is possible but there will probably come a day when you will have to tell the grandson he is too big.

 

[tommays]

Re: Kneeboarding questions.

a kneeboard is real easy to get going compared to any other type of skiing<br /><br />we used to ski on a sheet of wood with a 5.5 johnson on a 12ft wood boat and my dad was not a small boat driver<br /><br />tommays

 

[tomatolord]

Re: Kneeboarding questions.

No problem I have 14.5 foot fiberglass with a 40 suzuki and that works fine<br /><br />Going all out is not the real issue for a kneeboarder imho - having a wake is what makes it fun <br /><br />going 47mph is just fast and you wont have a wake to jump.