Tow Skim can provide hours of fun at the beach. These Tutorials help guarantee this.
In the short video tutorials below, Jack, Connor and Tyson Breit (The Breit Boys) show you the basics of using the Tow Skim board at each rider level. They cover getting on the board and maneuvering and also offer some basic advice for both Towers and Riders. Watch, enjoy and learn the skills of this amazing new beach activity.
Be sure to watch the Earning Your Wristbands tutorials to understand the colored Rider Level wristbands and the requirements needed to earn them at each level.
And once you have successfully mastered the basics, the Tricks ‘n Tips page has some tutorials and pointers to help you really get your groove on… and the Tow Skim -agination Guide offers some ideas for more ways to have fun with your Tow Skim boards.
Knee Rider Tutorial
Entry-level riders – not yet comfortable standing and requiring the tow rope to be attached to the board to maintain balance.
Riding Instructions – Knee Rider:
- Kneel in the centre of the board with your knees and feet shoulder-width apart.[ position (see video, above)
- Grip the tow rope handle, keeping your arms slightly bent at the elbows.
- The tow’er and rider should be far enough apart that the tow rope is taught, before starting to pull.
- As the tow’er starts pulling, the rider should lean slightly forward until the board begins to skim and then sit upright position (see video, above)
- The rider should not lean too far back, as this forces the tail of the board to dig into the sand and act as a brake, affecting balance and making it more difficult for the tow’er.
Handle Rider Tutorial
Mid-level riders – comfortable standing, but still needing the tow rope attached to maintain balance.
Riding Instructions – Handle Rider:
- Stand on the board with your feet shoulder-width apart (front foot on the ‘O’ and back foot on the ‘I’ of the ‘Tow Skim ‘ logo.
- It is important to have your feet on the centreline running the length of the board (Line up the tow rope anchor at the front and the Breitboys logo at the back of the board)
- Attach the tow rope to the board using the appropriate loop, so that the rider is standing with knees slightly bent, front arm holding the handle and rear arm extending behind them for balance.[
- The tow’er and rider should be far enough apart that the tow rope is taught, before starting to pull.
- As the tow’er starts pulling, the rider should lean slightly forward until the board begins to skim and then shift their weight evenly between both legs.
- The rider should not lean too far back, as this forces the tail of the board to dig into the sand and act as a brake, affecting balance and makng it more difficult for the tow’er.
Free Rider Tutorial
Advanced-level riders – standing, with the rope not attached to the board. Here there be tricks!
Riding Instructions – Free Rider:
- Disconnect the rope from the board.
- To prepare, practice throwing down and jumping onto the moving Tow Skim board.
- The rider’s front hand should be holding both the tow rope handle and the side of the Tow Skimboard. The rider’s back hand should be holding the back of the board.
- The rider bends forward and thrusts the board in front of them so that it is skimming atop the water.
- Keeping hold of the tow handle, the tow’er and rider begin running together, ensuring the tow rope stays taught between them.
- After a few steps, the rider jumps onto the board, standing with knees slightly bent, front arm holding the handle and rear arm extending behind them for balance.
- Leaning back when jumping onto the moving Tow Skim board will cause the board to slip out from under the rider.