Preventing Kneeboarding Pain

There are ways to have fun on the kneeboard without causing your body pain. Here is how.

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Kneeboarding is a fun and easy boat towed sport, but the fun goes out the window when you are in pain. Kneeboarding makes the body suseptible to pain mainly because the bouncing of the board causes a beating on the body. It is common for experience pain in the knees, back, and feet/ankles while kneeboarding, however, there are ways to lessen the pain, if nor prevent it all together.

The composition of the kneeboard can be a factor when determining the amount of strain put on the body. Strain can translate to pain. Know the difference in the types of kneeboards as there are basically two types. Plastic boards are thicker and tend to absorb impact more so than the thinner compression molded boards. The plastic boards tend to ride higher on the water, therefore causing less pull on the body. Compression molded boards ride lower in the water. The trade off is that the compression boards are generally better for competition and performing tricks. They edge better in the water, aiding in the set-up of arial maneuvers.

Outfitting both types of boards with additional padding can help lessen the strain on the body. Pads can be placed underneath the knees, shins, and ankles and adhered to the board with a spray adhesive or contact cement.

Kneeboarding, as well as all other boat towed sports should begin with stretching. Pay attention to stretching the neck, arms, shoulders, legs, abdominal area, back, and ankles. A few minutes of stretching can prevent what could turn into days worth of pain.

Maintaining a proper posture while kneeboarding can help prevent body pain. Instead of sitting directly on top of your heels with the feet directly underneath the buttocks try placing the feet at an angle and to the side of the body. This placement put the outside of the hips on top of feet.

When riding on the board keep the back straight with the shoulders slightly back. Leaning forward adds strain to the body and gives you a feel of less control. Keep your arms bent and close to the body.

Lastly, but very important... listen to your body. If you are in pain while kneeboarding chances are that you will be in pain after kneeboarding.

Do you have other suggestions on how to prevent kneeboarding pain? ? Post to the forum.