Have you ever thought about going wakeboarding?
If you have, then you’ve probably had all kinds of questions, right?
You may have wondered just how it works and whether it’s really as fun as it seems and definitely whether it’s actually a safe activity.
So, let’s take a look at what you should know when it comes to wakeboarding.
What is Wakeboarding?
Wakeboarding means that you are standing up on a board, holding a tow rope and being pulled behind a boat.
The boat may move quickly or slowly (though it has to move fast enough to keep you upright) and there are sometimes even tricks that you can do.
Some areas actually have wakeboarding courses where you can go over jumps and around obstacles to make it even more fun.
Is Wakeboarding Safe?
So, is wakeboarding safe?
Well, in general, the sport can be a little dangerous.
In fact, research seems to suggest that as many as 42.3% of people who participate in wakeboarding will end up with some type of injury, so that’s something that you’ll want to pay close attention to.
Of course, you also want to know what type of injuries you could potentially suffer.
The most common injuries are those to the head and neck, with these being potentially the most dangerous.
On the other hand, you could also suffer injuries to the ACL that include tears or ruptures.
Ankle sprains, shoulder dislocation, fractures, and mild concussions are also relatively common with wakeboarding.
The reason for these types of injuries is that you’re putting a lot of stress on your body.
The faster you’re being pulled the harder the impact on the water if you fall.
Not to mention there’s always the possibility of hitting an obstacle in the water, being thrown or simply getting dumped in to the water and not being able to get back out.
The Bottom Line About Wakeboarding
The number one thing that you need to know is that wakeboarding absolutely can be dangerous.
You should always be aware of what’s going on around you and you should make sure that someone experienced is in charge of driving the boat.
They’re responsible for keeping you away from obstacles like branches or anything floating in the water.
You’re also going to want to wear protective gear at all times.
Wakeboarding requires a special type of shoes or boots that keep you on the board, but you should always be wearing a helmet as well.
A helmet protects your head and neck if you are thrown or if you fall off the board and strike an object.
Always wear a life jacket as well, so you can keep yourself afloat if you fall off the board.
No matter what you’re doing, or how long you’ve been wakeboarding, you should always make sure that you’re aware of your surroundings.
Keep watch for other boaters, water activities and obstacles that are potentially in your path.
These things will help to mitigate your risk of injury.
