it depends on how strong you are, for me i like to be jerked up so i am on top of the water faster, i start with my back laying fairly flat to the water with the board pointing up keeping most of my weight to the rear of the board leaning back enough to keep the front of the board up like your sking, i ride with my right foot forward (goofy footed as they call it) so i basicly lock my left leg strait out underwater and let my right one come in a little as the boat starts to pull you up like you are being pulled off of the ground from laying flat. the boat also doesnt need to go much over 20mph unless your trying some big tricks. hope this helps