How To Get Up On A Wake Board

This is probably the most difficult part of wake boarding. At least for me, getting up on the wake board was the most difficult part. I had never set foot on water skis so the initial learning process was gratifying for me. You don’t need a professional trainer to learn to do this. In fact, to be perfectly honest, I learned from watching many “you tube” videos on the internet. I’m going to save you from having to watch those videos. Once you’ve learned, it s like riding a bike. You won’t forget!

Equipment Check

It’s a good idea to become familiar with your board, rope, and vest. Always check your board and rope for any defects or damage. You want to get into the habit of doing this to ensure your safety as well as the safety of your guests who might also use your equipment.

The Land Practice: Get Familiar

Put your vest on, sit down, and grab the rope handle as if you are in the water. With both feet tight and snug in your board, pull your knees in together and wrap your arms round your legs while holding the handle of the rope. This is easier to do when you’re in the water but you want to try this on land first to get use to the position. This is how to get up on a wake board. Are your bindings tight? You could almost start rocking at this point because your knees are bent and pulled tight to your chest. You almost look like a “ball”. This is the starting position you will want to duplicate once you are in the water.

Get ready: Water Start

By now you should have practiced your position on land and you are now familiar with the steps in how to get up on a wake board. Now get in the water with your vest and board attached and your rope in hand. The first step you are going to do is tuck yourself into a small ball with your arms around your knees grasping the tow line handle with your board perpendicular to the back of the boat. Once the boat begins to pull you, keep your arms extended, do not pull on the rope, and let the boat pull you up.

As you come up out of the water, remember to keep your toes up and your heels down. As the board reaches the plane, allow the board to naturally turn in a vertical position. The direction in which the board turns will come natural and depend upon which foot is your lead foot. Do not try to stand up too early or you will hit the water face first! Once you feel the board has reached its plane, it will begin to feel smooth, turn your front hip to the handle to get into a straight riding position. That’s how to get up on a wakeboard. Congratulations, you have completed your first lesson. Now go riding!