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7 Epic Ways To Love Your Legend Boat This Summer

Here at Legend Boats, we talk a lot of about fishing – because we love it, and know you do too – but there are plenty more ways to enjoy your time out on the lake in your Legend Boat.

Water sports are a great way to spend time with friends and family, as well as keeping emotionally and physically fit.

It seems that each year more types of water sports are being invented. Although this list is far from complete, these 6 water sports are some of the best ways to enjoy time in your Legend Boat this summer.

 

Kneeboarding

Kneeboarding

Kneeboarding may be the easiest water sports for beginners to start with. It’s not as tough – since there’s no standing involved – as some of the other sports, and it’s tons of fun!

  • Start with the board laying flat on the water pointed towards the boat.
  • Move the knee strap as far forward as it will go.
  • Lay down on the kneeboard with your chest slightly raised above the strap and the rope in your hands.
  • Place your forearms flat on the kneeboard with your hands placed slightly ahead of the tip.
  • Let the driver know you’re ready to rock.

 

As the driver begins moving forward, move your dominant hand to the side of the kneeboard and hold on tight. Your other hand will simultaneously hold onto the rope as well as the tip of the kneeboard.

In this position, move your knees onto the pads and secure the strap. Once you’ve accomplished this – most difficult part – return your other hand to the rope, and that’s it!

 

 

water ski

Water Skiing

 

  • Choose the right skis

Combination Skis are the best choice for beginners. They have wide tips which are good for control and simple fins to help keep your feet pointed in the same direction. When it comes to length, it boils down to how much you weigh. The bigger the surface area the more buoyant you become. Just make sure not to overdo it. You’ll want to be able to comfortably move the skis around.

 

  • Get Into Proper Position

Grip the tow rope with palms facing down, and your arms extended out. Bring your knees to your chest with your arms wrapping around the outside of them. Your skis should be pointing straight up out of the water and about shoulder-width apart. Your tow rope should run between your skis.

 

  • Give The Green Light
    The rope should be tight to avoid jerking you forward. The boat will take off quickly, and it’s important that you stay calm and relaxed at this point. Let the boat do the work to pull you up. Bending your arms and working to pull yourself up will surely cause you to fall. Instead, stay in the balled-up position, and slowly extend your legs until you’re upright.

Throughout this process, you should stay leaning back with your knees slightly bent, and always be looking forward towards the boat.  Get comfortable falling. Everyone falls, and it’s important not to get discouraged and realize that you’re not going to get hurt. It’s part of the learning process.

 

Wake Board

WakeBoarding

What you’ll need:

  • A tow rope (30-50 ft)
  • A beginner’s wakeboard
  • Wakeboard boots

 

How To Wakeboard:

 

  • Determine which foot goes forwards. If you’re not certain whether you’re left-footed or right-footed, as a friend for help. Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart and have him/her give you a gentle shove from behind. Whichever foot naturally steps forward to balance yourself is your dominant foot. It’s not an exact science but it works the majority of the time.
  • Grab the handle of the tow rope and relax. Bend your knees close to your chest, lean back, and stretch out your arms.
  • Lean forward so that your board is perpendicular to the rope, then raise the rope to signal the driver that you’re ready.
  • Let the power of the boat pull you forward but stay in position. Don’t let the tug stretch out your legs.
  • Gradually straighten up into a standing position, but not entirely. Make sure to leave your knees slightly bent to maintain balance.
  • Spin the board around so that your lead foot is out in front

 

Pro Tips:

Don’t stand up too quickly, you’ll sink.

Let the boat do the work.

Always look at the boat.

 

If you’re finding it nearly impossible to get up on the board, get a friend to help you practice. Have him/her stand on a dock and pull the rope with you on the other end. If you tense up or fight the pull, your friend will release the rope. If you get up successfully, you’ll get comfortable with the balance and be on your way in no time.

 

 

 Barefoot Skiing

This is a little more advanced than board or ski-based water sports. Barefoot skiing requires a certain level of physical fitness and a little bit more flexibility. You’re also going to need a boom fixed to the center of the boat and secured at the bow.

 

  • Grab the beam with both hands, palms facing down.
  • Start in an almost horizontal position.
  • Wrap your legs around the cables that lead to the bow of the boat.
  • Lean back as far as you can, with your hips projecting towards the sky.

 

As the boat takes off, this will pop you up on top of the water with minimal splash. Splash is the biggest obstacle to overcome in this sport.

 

  • Slowly slide your feet towards your chest, maintaining a grip on the cable. This will get you into the butt-ride position.
  • Slowly drop your feet down, flat onto the water.
  • Push down equally on both feet and begin to stand up.

 

You’ll want to make sure that you are slightly leaning back. Always do things slowly and smoothly to avoid bouncing on the water or causing too much splash.

 

Once you’re up, to keep the fun moving you’ll want to be aware of the 3 90s.

  • Your leg (from ankle to knee) should be perpendicular to the water.
  • Your leg (from knee to hip) should be horizontal to the water
  • Your torso should be straight, and perpendicular to the water with your arms stretched straight.

Lean back as you do this to maintain the greatest stability.

 

 

Parasailing

Parasailing

If you’re not familiar, parasailing is essentially tying yourself to a parachute that’s towed behind a boat. The lift generated from the boat’s speed causes the parachute to act as a kite, enabling the pilot to fly through the sky.

 

Parasailing requires specialty gear and a working knowledge of how the wind affects the parasail. Not recommended for beginners.

 

Instead, here are a few things to expect if you get the chance to go parasailing.

  • You won’t have to “hang on for dear life”. The harness and gear will take care of that for you. You’re safe.
  • It’s not a rollercoaster ride. Rather, it’s a very peaceful experience as you gradually ascend into the air.
  • Modern technology means that you don’t have to steer the parasail. A winch and your captain’s knowledge of how wind works do the steering for you.
  • No special clothing required. Aside from a helmet and your usual PFD, just wear what you normally would to the beach.
  • You won’t have to land in the water. With the modern tech mentioned above, the winch will pull you back onto the platform of the boat.

 

This is one of those low-risk thrill rides. If you have the chance we highly recommend it. It’s also one of those rare occasions where selfie sticks are encouraged. Make sure to share on our social!

 

 

Scuba

Scuba Diving

Most of us remember the wonder of strapping on that first snorkel set to see what lays beneath the surface of the water. Across Canada, there are plenty of treasures to discover and all it takes is some initiative and some certification.

 

Scuba Certification takes place over 3 phases:

  • Knowledge Development
  • Confined Water Dives
  • Open Water Dives

 

You’ll be responsible for learning what to expect underwater and how to plan accordingly, underwater communication, how to work your gear, and how to stay safe.

 

Once you’ve nailed this, you can begin searching for treasures at the bottom of your local lake.

 

 

Water Tube

Tubing

If the water sports mentioned so far are a little out of your comfort zone, you’re going to love tubing! All you have to do is get comfy, hold on tight, and let the driver do the rest. 

Don’t be fooled though. Although it’s completely possible to enjoy a lounging skid atop the water, with a knowledgable driver you can use speed and wakes to make your experience extreme complete with jumps and flips.

 

With all water sports, you’ll need an experienced driver who’s familiar with comfortable speeds and control for beginners. You’ll also need a spotter to help the driver know when you’ve taken a spill. You’ll also want to make sure that you have all your safety gear and everything else related to responsible boating.

 

Aside from fun if you’re looking for more excuses to hit the water this summer, look no further.

mental health

Emotional Fitness

It would take an entire thesis paper to explain exactly how exercise improves mental fitness. In short, even 10-15 minutes of regular exercise improves blood flow, oxygen distribution, organ performance, chemical and hormone balance, and helps those neurons to fire.

 

Physical fitness improves the following conditions:

ADHD

Stress

PTSD and Trauma

Anxiety

Depression

 

Physical fitness offers the following benefits:

Stronger Resilience

More Energy

Better Sleep

Higher Self Esteem

Sharper Memory

 

The physical benefits are obvious, but if you’re looking for more benefits to the fishing and boating lifestyle, check out one of our previous posts here: https://blog.legendboats.kinsta.cloud/the-psychology-of-boating-why-we-love-the-water

 

So what are you waiting for?

 

Get into that Legend Boat of yours and start getting some of that exercise you resolved to back in January.

 

Yours In Boating,

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