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Put on a life vest. Adjust the bindings on the wakeboard. Get in the water. Hold the handle securely. Keep the board on it's edge in the water. Position 1 arm on either side of your front knee.
Even if you're a seasoned swimmer, it's essential that you wear a life vest while wakeboarding. Put one on and secure the straps before getting in the water. Familiarize yourself with the hand signals you'll use to communicate with the driver of the boat before you get in the water. For instance, thumbs up means speed up, while thumbs down means slow down. A slash across the neck means stop the boat/cut the motor. Set the bindings on the wakeboard so they feel comfortable and secure. If they're too loose, you won't be able to maintain your balance. If they're too tight, your feet will hurt, taking the fun out of the sport. Keep 1 hand on the handle of the tow rope as you scoot off the boat into the water. Take a few moments to get comfortable as the boat begins to move away from you. Once the rope is taut, you can use it to maintain your balance while floating in the water. It's important to maintain a good grip on the tow rope handle so it doesn't fly out of your hands. That being said, keep your arms relaxed and your knees bent while floating in the water. Never hook or loop the handle around or over any part of your body, as that will make it more difficult to let go of. Starting out, the wakeboard should be positioned on it's edge so that the bottom of the board is perpendicular to the surface of the water. Make sure the edge of the board is slightly above the water. If you try to keep the board flat underneath you, you won't be able to balance when the boat accelerates. Before you go wakeboarding, figure out which foot to put forward by having someone gently push you from behind. The foot you step forward with will be the one you put in front on the wakeboard. Once you're in the water with the wakeboard, place 1 arm on each side of your front knee. Keep your arms bent and the handle close to your chest.