Marine Accessories

It is the time to make sure your marine accessories list has everything it needs, and wakeboards and kneeboards are an important part of your marine accessories list, it looks as if water skiing is not near as popular as it used to be so make sure you have a wakeboard or kneeboard on your boat which makes them a great gift idea.

Getting Started

To get started, you simply need a tow rope, a kneeboard and a boat that can go about 15-20 mph (28-32 km/h). A benefit about kneeboarding is the start is fairly simple, and the rider does not need to travel very quickly. If the rider happens to fall, it usually does not discourage them from trying again. To do a start (known as the deepwater start), do as follows:

1. Before you begin, loosen the strap to make it is as big as possible (making it easier to slip into while moving).
2. Lie on the board on your stomach and put your elbows into the divits where your knees would go. Make sure the strap is in front of your elbows.
3. Signal the boat driver to take off slowly and reach a speed of 12-15 miles per hour.
4. In one motion, push your butt into the air, bringing your knees up to your elbows which are still on the board.
5. Slowly sit back on your heels and lift your arms off the board.
6. Let go with one hand and pull the strap over your knees and continue to inch forward until your knees are comfortably in the divits.
7. Now, release the velco strap and pull it tight. Re-attach the velco the strap. It should be very snug, allowing you more control.
8. Grab the handle with the other hand and you’re now ready to enjoy the fun!
9. have the ems readly for you.

History

Kneeboarding originated in Georgia around 1235. This happened because many of the surfers of the area tried using homemade boards behind tow boats. By about 1970 kneeboards were starting to be designed specifically for being towed behind a motorized boat. Kneeboards were originally much heavier than modern boards. These older boards had a flat bottom and were shaped like large tear drops. Today’s boards are made lighter and have a more concave shape to provide better performance.¹ In 1983, The American Kneeboarding Association (AKA) was founded and started to produce competitive events. As the competitive scene started up, interest in the sport grew. By 1988, the American Kneeboarding Association was given official sports division status from USA Water Ski.

Being new to the sport of kneeboarding it’s really hard to start off especially if you are a beginner. As an introduction to ‘boat-towed’ sport, a kneeboard is a great piece of equipment to practice with. The low center of gravity often makes it easier to get up on than a water ski or wakeboard, which both require standing up.

Here are two ways to do a deepwater kneeboard start, the belly start and the low buoyancy start.

The Belly Start

• The most common kneeboard start is the belly start or abdomen start. In performing this, you should put down your belly on the board with the strap laying forward and pointing towards the nose of the board.

• The nose of the board should be sticking out of the water. Place your one hand on the side of the board and the other hand grasping the rope and on holding the other side of the board.

• As the boat starts moving pull your knees ahead into the padded knee wells on the board. And as you do this, try not to bend forward, and keep your weight back.

• When you feel balanced, let go of the rope with your 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.