How to Stand Up in the Water on a Wakeboard

Wakeboarding's popularity has led many water skiers to give the extreme sport a try. After you put on your wakeboard, you need to get in the proper position in the water before the boat begins to pull you. Getting out of the water on a wakeboard is different than how you do it on skis.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

1. Sit in the water with your knees bent. Let the board float up so that the bottom of the board faces the boat.
2. Place the rope over the board. Hold onto the rope with both hands over the top of the handle. Keep your arms straight, between your knees. Roll your shoulders back and keep your chest up.
3. Tell the driver that you are ready for the pull. The most common term is "Hit it," but you can use any word that you and the driver have discussed earlier.
4. Maintain your body position as the boat begins to pull you. Resist the temptation to stand up until before your wakeboard is on top of the water.
5. Straighten your legs to stand after the wakeboard has planed on top of the water. Unlike in water skiing, you should lean slightly forward over the board.
6. Rotate your waist so that your lead hip is facing the boat and push the handle down near your lead hip. As a beginning wakeboard rider, your lead foot should be the same as your front foot on a slalom ski or skateboard.

Tips & Warnings

• Never ride a wakeboard or participate in any other water skiing-related activity without wearing Coast Guard approved flotation.