How to Wake Jump on a Kneeboard

Use the wake as a jump and landing ramp to catch air on your kneeboard. Master the simple wake jump before moving on to more-advanced aerial tricks.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

Things You’ll Need:

• Safety Flags
• Sunscreen
• Kneeboards
• Life Vests
• Ski Boats
• Water Ski Ropes

1. Ride outside the wake and hold the handle in the baseball bat grip.
2. Make a hard cut toward the wake, gathering as much speed as possible before hitting it.
3. Stop cutting right before you reach the wake - your momentum will carry you the rest of the way. Lean back slightly as the board hits the wake.
4. Keep the handle close to your waist as the slope of the wake launches you into the air.
5. Make sure the front of your board is slightly higher than the tail while you're in the air. Keep your torso upright and your chin up, as if you were balancing something on your head.
6. Pull evenly on the handle while you're in the air, and keep your position stable.
7. Spot your landing on the opposite wake.
8. Land on the downside of the opposite wake, keeping the nose of your board up. Keep the handle close to your waist for the landing. This will help you absorb the bounce of landing.

Tips & Warnings

• If you nose-dive your landing, your weight is too far forward on your takeoff. Stay upright and lean back.
• If you have trouble clearing the wake, pull harder against the boat as you cut, or make a wider cut. Either way, you need to get more speed on the approach.
• Always wear a life vest and observe proper boating safety practices when kneeboarding.
• Be careful not to attempt jumps until you're confident with your steering and riding ability.