All About Knee Boarding

Do you live by the “have board, will travel” mantra? If you’ve tried just about every board in the book and are looking for a new way to experience the water, try knee boarding!

This towed sport is fun for all ages of water sports lovers—but depending on the boarder, can be as simple or as exhilarating as you make it.

In today’s blog, we’re learning all about knee boarding—how it started, how to do it, and tips for enjoying your best ride yet.

A postmodern pastime

Knee boarding first came onto the scene in the 1950s, a few decades after its predecessor—water skiing—first became a water sport hit. Once people got the hang of standing on boards towed behind a boat, they tried a knees-down position that offered a new kind of ride.

The sport caught on among water lovers as a hit among water sport newbies, as well as seasoned water skiers who wanted a new way to experience the water. Of course, knee board equipment wasn’t readily available just yet. People used makeshift boards fashioned out of plywood discs, as well as surfboards, before a better model more suited to knee boarding (the Knee Ski) was invented in 1972.

Why we love it

Why should knee boarding be on your springtime bucket list? For starters, it simply gives you an excuse to hit the water—and in an all new way! As you knee board, you’ll notice a different perspective and a change in your ride experience, since you can focus more on skimming and bouncing the water and less on maintaining a careful balance.

Knee boarding is also a natural place to start for water sport beginners. That isn’t to say it’s always easy—especially apt adventurers can perform flips and amazing displays of speed on their knee board—but the sport does lend itself to simpler rides when you want them. You can even start out with your board on dry land in a version known as tourist knee boarding.

Vortex’s tips for a smooth ride

Whether you’ve never gone knee boarding before, or are interested in perfecting your skills, we have a few tips that should make your next ride your best one yet!

Start lying down on your stomach so that you can maintain your balance as you slowly sit up and get used to the knee boarding position.

Agree on a set of hand signals to use with those maneuvering the boat—many you might already know from water skiing and other sports. If not, they’re very straightforward! Put your thumbs up for faster speeds and flash an “a-okay” sign to signal when you’re good to go or are happy with a set speed or direction. If you fall, don’t worry—that’s part of the fun! Just give the boat ahead a thumbs up to let them know that you’re okay and ready to get back on.

When using a strap, you don’t need to hold onto the rope. One of the biggest thrills in knee boarding lies in your ability to stay secure on the board, hands-free, since your legs will be attached to the board. Once you get the hang of this balancing act, you’ll feel freer than ever on the water—throw your hands up like you’re riding a roller coaster and enjoy the ride!

Ready to start your knee boarding adventure? A board, your Vortex, and some on-the-water enthusiasm is all you’ll need for a great first strip.