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Tubing & Kneeboarding For Beginners

Tubing & Kneeboarding For Beginners

Ready to make a splash and have a great time doing it? Tubing and kneeboarding are perfect water sports for novices, whether you're looking to ride the waves or just hang on for the ride of your life! Tubing delivers an adrenaline-packed thrill as you bounce and glide behind the boat, while you can carve through the water and catch some air with a kneeboard. No experience? No problem! Both tubing and kneeboarding are beginner-friendly and guaranteed to deliver endless fun on the water, and Anaconda has a huge range of water skiing and ski tubes equipment to get you started. Sounds good? Great, let's dive in!



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Safety Considerations For Tubing & Kneeboarding

When you're going ski tubing or kneeboarding, safety is paramount. All riders should wear a properly fitted life jacket or personal flotation device (PFD) for both of these water sports. Boats towing riders should be equipped with a spotter - someone other than the driver who keeps an eye on the person being towed. Riders must also stay a minimum distance from shore, and the boat must not exceed a specific speed limit.

It's important to follow all applicable state and federal regulations to ensure both safety and compliance with the law, so check the local rules before you set out. Also, be aware of the water conditions and scout the area first for hazards, and check the weather forecast so you know exactly what to expect.



Gear & Equipment For Tubing & Kneeboarding

Some of the gear you'll need is the same as what you'd need for any other water sport, but there are a few bits of kit specific to tubing and kneeboarding you'll want as well.

Swimwear

Even though you'll be sitting on your ski tube or kneeboard, you're bound to get soaked, so good swimwear is a must! Choose comfortable, high-quality men's swimwear, women's swimwear and kids' swim and surfwear, and consider adding a rashie, especially if you're going to be lying down on a tube. If the water's going to be cold, you may even want to opt for a wetsuit.


Life Jacket / PFD

You're likely to wind up coming off your ski tube or kneeboard at some point, so a life jacket or personal flotation device (PFD) is a must. Look for one that fits well and gives you plenty of freedom of movement.

Kid wearing a wetsuit & PFD lying on a Body Glove Kneeboard

Sun Protection

As with any outdoor activity, you're going to protect yourself from the sun's harsh rays. Use plenty of sunscreen, and be sure to wear sunglasses and a sun hat - just make sure they're well secured so you don't lose them in the water!


Tow Rope

Without a tow rope to link your ski tube or kneeboard to the boat pulling you, you're just floating! Choose a tow rope that's rated for the number of people you'll be using it to pull, and err on the side of longer - you don't have to use the full length of the rope, but it can be good to have a bit extra.


Boat

Fortunately, just about any type of boat will work for ski tubing or kneeboarding. Obviously, a powerful cabin cruiser is going to outperform a humble tinny when it comes to pulling people, but you can get out and start having fun with almost any watercraft.



Tips For Towing Beginner Tubers & Kneeboarders

  • Choose the right tube or kneeboard: Ski tubes and kneeboards come in a variety of sizes and styles, so pick one that can carry the number of riders you want to tow and suits their riding style, whether that's relaxed or adventurous!
  • Inflate tubes appropriately: Filling tubes till they're firm is a general rule of thumb, but be sure to follow the manufacturer's guidelines.
  • Start slow: Ease the throttle on and keep your speed low, especially if you're towing younger children or first-timers. They'll still have plenty of fun at slower speeds, and you can always take it up a notch as they build their confidence.
  • Avoid wakes: Drive in a gentle curving pattern and try not to make things too bumpy by crossing your own or other boat's wakes, at least until your riders are ready for some extra adrenaline!
  • Use hand signals: Have your riders communicate with simple hand signals: thumbs up for faster, thumbs down for slower and a slash motion across the neck for stop.
2 Kids wearing PFDs lying on a round tow tube


How To Get Started With Ski Tubing

Ski tubing is one of the easiest towed water sports to get into because you're not really controlling the tube's direction, so you mostly just need to hang on and enjoy the ride! That said, there are a few ways you can make doing so easier:

  • Hold the handles: Your tube will have convenient handles in all the right places, and you'll do well to make use of them! Hang on tight and you're much less likely to take a spill on a sharp turn or bumpy wave and wind up in the drink.
  • Stay low: Keeping your centre of gravity lower makes you more stable, so avoid crouching or standing. Keeping yourself planted firmly in the tube will make the ride last longer and be more comfortable.
  • Know your limits: If you're scared, feeling out of your depth or just not having fun anymore, use hand signals to communicate to the boat that you want to go slower or take a break.


How To Get Started On A Kneeboard

Getting Up

  1. Begin by laying on top of the kneeboard.
  2. Put your arms under the kneeboard's strap and hold the tow rope.
  3. Keep your torso forward on the board so you can tuck your knees in.
  4. After the boat starts moving, wait until the kneeboard gets level with the water's surface.
  5. Tuck your knees into position so your shins are flat against the kneeboard.
  6. Tighten the strap across your thighs.
  7. Keep your weight towards the back of the board.

Balancing, Riding & Turning

  1. Keep your knees together and your feet on the board.
  2. Look ahead at the boat to maintain your balance.
  3. Lean back a little to go faster, and lean forward to slow down.
  4. Relax your muscles and don't hold the handle too tightly.
  5. For gentle turns, shift your weight to one side with your knees still bent.
  6. For sharper turns, lean further.
Kid wearing a Body Glove PFD riding a kneeboard


Find Everything You Need To Start Enjoying Water Sports At Anaconda

Now that you know everything you need to get started with ski tubing and kneeboarding, it's time to get out and start enjoying some fun, thrills and spills! But before you set out, make sure you have everything you need by exploring our entire range of water sports equipment, gear and supplies at Anaconda, and check out our Adventure Centre for helpful tips on choosing the right gear and discovering new ways to have a great time on the water, such as:

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