- Messages
- 3,223
- Reaction score
- 2,516
- Points
- 372
- Location
- Acworth, G.A.
- Boat Make
- Yamaha
- Year
- 2014
- Boat Model
- AR
- Boat Length
- 24
Almost had a heart attack earlier today:
After learning to get up yesterday, and having a great time (around 12-14mph) pulling my 6yr old on a kneeboard we decided to go again this a.m.
My wife was driving and I was giving instruction from the swim platform.
Lake was quiet and not a boat in sight, perfect time to instruct the little guys.
Everything was going great. . . .
Right up until he fell over. . . and the board went upside down and he just could not get out from the strap across his legs. . . . . His life jacket was popping him to the surface, but everytime he struggled to get free he would go under.
While we didn't panic (it was hard not to watching him struggle) we did have a a momentary lapse in communication that had the potential for disaster. I told my wife to "punch it, get back to him". She didn't understand what I was talking about and it took what was probably only few seconds to get what I was saying (it felt like 10 lifetimes).
She realized what I meant and more importantly WHY I said it and came about quickly.
He was eventually able to get free on his own but was visibly shaken, as were we.
The takeaways for us after this are:
Be sure both driver and spotter discuss how to ensure clear concise communication for watersports with previously determined keywords for a dangerous situation like this.
Make sure the driver knows how to avoid the rope and get back to the downed individuals. (My wife and I are always hyperaware of the rope and this was not an issue today) You can't get back to someone quickly in an emergency situation of you have a rope wrapped up in your impeller.
Specific to kneeboarding. . . If you are using the leg strap. . . Practice getting out of it at the dock before hooking it up to the boat.
(We will be removing the strap altogether)
Today could have ended very badly for us. My greatest hope is that this helps inform our membership so no one else has to go through what we did this a.m.
After learning to get up yesterday, and having a great time (around 12-14mph) pulling my 6yr old on a kneeboard we decided to go again this a.m.
My wife was driving and I was giving instruction from the swim platform.
Lake was quiet and not a boat in sight, perfect time to instruct the little guys.
Everything was going great. . . .
Right up until he fell over. . . and the board went upside down and he just could not get out from the strap across his legs. . . . . His life jacket was popping him to the surface, but everytime he struggled to get free he would go under.
While we didn't panic (it was hard not to watching him struggle) we did have a a momentary lapse in communication that had the potential for disaster. I told my wife to "punch it, get back to him". She didn't understand what I was talking about and it took what was probably only few seconds to get what I was saying (it felt like 10 lifetimes).
She realized what I meant and more importantly WHY I said it and came about quickly.
He was eventually able to get free on his own but was visibly shaken, as were we.
The takeaways for us after this are:
Be sure both driver and spotter discuss how to ensure clear concise communication for watersports with previously determined keywords for a dangerous situation like this.
Make sure the driver knows how to avoid the rope and get back to the downed individuals. (My wife and I are always hyperaware of the rope and this was not an issue today) You can't get back to someone quickly in an emergency situation of you have a rope wrapped up in your impeller.
Specific to kneeboarding. . . If you are using the leg strap. . . Practice getting out of it at the dock before hooking it up to the boat.
(We will be removing the strap altogether)
Today could have ended very badly for us. My greatest hope is that this helps inform our membership so no one else has to go through what we did this a.m.
