The most common kneeboard start is the lay down start. To do this, lay your stomach on the board with the strap lying forward towards the front of the board. The front of the board should be sticking out of the water. Place one hand on the side of the board and the other hand holding the handle as soon as the boat moves and you have got your balance hold the handle with both hands. Straight away bring the handle towards you and down onto the front of the board, your arms should have a 90 deg with your elbows on the board let them take your body weight and pull your knees forward into the padded knee-wells on the board. When you feel you have got your balance, let go of the rope with one hand, and with the other hand pull the strap up over your knees and tighten the strap to where it feels secure. Keep your arms extended and slightly bent. (On your first few attempts don't worry about using the strap) Don't lean to far forward, try to keep your weight back. You do not need to go fast on a kneeboard approx 10mph to 18mph.

That was the hard way, the latest plastic kneeboards come with different types of handle holders, we prefer a holder that will retract to a flat position on the board this eliminates the chance of smashing your face into a fixed handle holder, if you have a bad spill. With a handle holder the hard work is done you simply hook the handle onto the holder, lay on the board holding onto each edge as the boat starts to move forward and you are comfortable bring your knees up into the kneeboard wells put the strap over your knees then when you are ready, reach down and grab the handle out of the holder and your in control. Remember if the board starts bouncing edge forward a little to balance out the board. This handle holder system lets kids as young as 2 years old ride kneeboards as all the pull is on the board and they can be towed along without having to hold the handle until they feel comfortable enough to hold the handle themselves.

Note: when teaching small kids don't use the strap (the strap is mainly for more experience riders doing wake jumps and tricks) as they have trouble releasing the strap and can get caught under the board.

Kneeboard Ropes. Although you can use either slalom handles or wakeboard handles for kneeboarding you can now get kneeboard handles, which have a section on the handle grip cut out with a hardened material to stop damage to the handle from the handle holding mechanisms.

Disclaimer

All information provided is to be used at your own risk and Goldwild Pty. Ltd., trading as The Water Skiers Connection; its directors, employers and agents accept no responsibility for the validity or legitimacy of the supplied information. Goldwild Pty. Ltd., trading as The Water Skiers Connection; its directors, employers and agents will not entertain any claims for damages arising from the use of this information.

This is one of the easiest tricks to learn on a kneeboard, kids will think they are legends and they can learn it very quickly. To start this trick stay directly behind the boat in the calmest part you can find, keep your speed at 15 to 18mph a bit slower for kids. Let go of the handle and hold with one hand, the hand holding the handle should be as far over to that side of the handle. (Eg: right hand holding handle should be as far to the right hand side of the handle) Now the most important part to do this trick, in one movement pull the handle towards the ball of your back, this will start your rotation make sure you keep the handle close to your hips when you pull the handle towards the ball of you back. (Eg: if holding handle with right hand handle will pass by your right hip). Now you are have started your rotation you need to bring your other arm around your lower back and grab the handle. Once you have grab the handle let go with the hand you started the trick with this will then pull you around and you will complete your first 360. Remember to keep leaning away from the boat as you do this trick or you will get pulled over towards the boat, this trick needs to be done in one motion if you hesitate to much you will get stuck half way and get pulled straight again.

Note: when teaching small kids don't use the strap (the strap is mainly for more experience riders doing wake jumps and tricks) as they have trouble releasing the strap and can get caught under the board.

Disclaimer

All information provided is to be used at your own risk and Goldwild Pty. Ltd., trading as The Water Skiers Connection; its directors, employers and agents accept no responsibility for the validity or legitimacy of the supplied information. Goldwild Pty. Ltd., trading as The Water Skiers Connection; its directors, employers and agents will not entertain any claims for damages arising from the use of this information.