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Short answer: Start lying on your stomach with the board in front of you and the strap loose, above the knee pad. If the board has a tow hook, put the handle in it. Signal the driver and yell "yep". They pull away gradually — no snatch. Once you're moving slowly, shuffle your knees up the board with a hand either side near the top of the knee pad. Get your knees into the grooves, pull the strap over, and take the handle out of the hook.
Kneeboarding is a great sport for the whole family, and it can be done by any age and skill level. Getting up is the easiest first step in towed watersports — which is why it's usually where kids start.
The full run-through is below, and the written version follows underneath.
Getting up on a kneeboard, both with a tow hook and without. 2 min 20 sec.
What you'll need
- A kneeboard
- A rope and handle
- A jet ski or boat to pull you
If your kneeboard has a tow hook you can put the handle in the hook, which makes for easier starts. If it doesn't have one, that's fine — it's still easy to get up without.
The handle needs to be built for the hook. A kneeboard handle has an extra bar on it that sits in the tow hook — that's what it's for. A regular EVA or suede grip handle isn't made to sit in a hook and can bend or break in it. If you're using the hook, use a hook handle.
Not sure whether your board takes a hook, or how to fit one? That's covered in how to set up your kneeboard.
Getting up with a tow hook
Step 1 — Get into position
Lie down on your stomach on the board with the kneeboard handle in the hook.
Your strap wants to be nice and loose, and preferably above the knee pad at this stage. You'll pull it over once you're up on your knees, not before.
Step 2 — Signal the driver
Give the driver a signal and yell out "yep" to let them know you're right to go.
Step 3 — The driver gives a gradual pull
A nice gradual pull, especially for lighter riders. There's no need to snatch a kneeboarder out of the water — the board does the work once it's moving.
Step 4 — Shuffle up onto your knees
Once you're going along at a slow speed, use your knees to shuffle up on the board.
Put each hand on either side of the board, up the front near the top of the knee pad. That makes the board sit straight and gives you something stable to push up onto your knees against.
Stay forward. Pushing up too far back, or sitting too far back on the board, feels unstable and the board starts bouncing up and down. Forward on the board is where you want to be.
Step 5 — Strap in
Once you've shuffled your knees into the grooves, pull the strap over your knees. Then take the handle out of the hook, and you're riding.
Getting up without a tow hook
Same starting position — lying on your stomach on the board. The difference is you're holding the handle rather than hooking it.
- Hold the handle nice and close to the knee pad.
- Once you're up and going at a slow speed, use your knees to wiggle up into a ball position. Pull on the handle slightly to help pull yourself up.
- From the ball position, shuffle your knees up to the front a bit further, and bring the handle up to chest height.
- That's a nice strong stable position, and from there you can move further into the knee pad grooves.
Kneeboarding FAQs
Do I need a tow hook to get up on a kneeboard?
No. A tow hook makes starts easier because you can rest the handle in it instead of holding on through the pull, but the no-hook start is still straightforward — you just hold the handle close to the knee pad and pull yourself up into a ball position as the boat gets going.
Where should my hands go?
One either side of the board, up the front near the top of the knee pad. That keeps the board sitting straight and gives you a stable base to push up from.
Why does my kneeboard bounce?
Usually because you're too far back on it. Pushing up too far back or riding too far back feels unstable and sets the board bouncing up and down. Get your weight forward.
When do I do the strap up?
After you're up. Start with the strap loose and preferably above the knee pad, then pull it over your knees once you've shuffled them into the grooves.
What speed should the driver pull at?
Gradually, and gently — especially for lighter riders. You're getting the board moving, not yanking the rider out of the water.
Can I use any handle with a kneeboard tow hook?
No. Use a kneeboard handle with a hook bar. A regular EVA or suede grip handle isn't built to sit in a hook and can bend or break in it.
What age can kids start kneeboarding?
Kneeboarding suits any age and skill level, which is why it's often the first towed watersport a family tries. If you're setting a board up for a young rider, we take the strap off entirely — that's covered here.
Related guides
- How to set up your kneeboard
- The Breakdown: Kneeboards
- How to attach a tow rope to your boat or jet ski
- How to fit a life vest correctly
Shop the gear
About this guide. Written from the video demonstration and produced by Waterskiers World — Australia's dedicated towed water sports retailer, family-run for over 20 years from our Brisbane store and online. Getting a first board sorted for the family? Talk to our team — we ride this gear.