Water Sports Roundup

Kneeboarding Basics
A 10-Year-Old Tells Us How It's Done

The origins of kneeboarding can be traced back to the 60's, and as in any sport, it has evolved into something far more fun and exhilarating than even the pioneers could have imagined. As a tow sport goes, it falls in between tubing and water-skiing in terms of difficulty. Riders typically sit on their heels rather than the knees, and settle themselves in padded knee wells. Kneeboarding is fairly simple and the boat does not need to travel quickly to produce a thrilling ride. Also, being close to the water tends to build confidence, and if the rider happens to fall, it usually does not discourage them from trying again.

To find out more about kneeboarding, we didn't have to walk down the dock too far to find someone who was willing to give us their take on why you should give it a try. What may surprise you is how young these thrill-seeking participants are. At only 10 years of age, Fitz Curran is already pulling tricks like the pros. To get an introduction to the sport and to find out why it's so cool, we managed to catch Fitz between his homework assignments and asked him a few questions.

TS: What kind of boat does your family have?
FC: Ski Nautique Crossover 211.

TS: How long did it take you to learn how to kneeboard?
FC: I got up on my first try.

TS: What would you tell a beginner if you were teaching them to kneeboard?
FC: I would tell them to start on their stomach and when the boat starts, pull up and make sure the strap is over their knees. It goes around the knees and is attached to the board and holds you. Then lean to turn.

TS: What top three safety tips would you be sure to tell a friend?
FC:
1) Wear your life jacket.
2) Don't jump out of the boat when the engine is running.
3) Hold the line so it doesn't choke you.

TS: Do you have any special hand signals to "talk" to the driver?
FC: Yes. Thumbs up - faster. Thumbs down - slower. Pat head - stop.

TS: If you could tell magazine readers one thing about why you participate in watersports, what would it be?
FC: It's challenging and it is good exercise and it is fun.

Driver Tip: Unlike water-skiing, don't hit it full throttle. Start at a speed of about 10 to 12 miles per hour. This gives the rider a chance to get up and adjust their position on the board. Once the kneeboarder is up with the strap snugly over their knees, wait for their signal and increase speed. An ideal speed is 15 to 20 miles per hour.

Surface 360 - The trick in doing a 360 is to always lean back, opposite the pull of the rope. Slightly rotate to one side to build momentum and then fully rotate in the opposite direction, passing the rope behind your back. If you are spinning to the right, release with your right hand first, spin, grab the rope again behind your back, and then pull yourself through to finish the 360.

Choosing a Kneeboard - There are essentially two types of kneeboards - recreational and competition. Recreational boards have more flotation, are wider, and have rounded edges for smooth turning and good control. Competition boards are for the advanced rider. They have less flotation and are thinner with sharper edges to allow for quicker turning and tricks. (image of kneeboards from West Marine).

Tow Ropes - Kneeboard ropes vary in length, but are generally 60 to 70 feet long. A no-stretch rope made of Spectra(r) is stiffer than your average water-skiing rope, which helps you to get more air and pull yourself through spins and flips.