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How to Ride an Awake RÄVIK Jet board: Beginner & Yacht Guest Guide
Learning how to ride an Awake RÄVIK electric surfboard is easier when you break it down into a few simple steps: get comfortable on the board, build a steady speed, learn to steer, and only then progress to standing.
If you're working on a yacht, there's another skill involved: knowing how to teach a guest to ride an Awake safely and confidently.
In this guide, The Yacht Toy Guy shows you the practical method we use to introduce riders to an Awake RÄVIK, from getting onto the board and using the hand controller to standing up, turning and using the Power Key Leash as an additional safety system.
🎥 Watch the full How to Ride an Awake RÄVIK video below.
How to Ride an Awake RÄVIK Board: Quick Answer
To ride an Awake RÄVIK, start by climbing onto the board from the rear and begin laying down on your stomach, keep your legs wide for improved stability. Connect and unlock the hand controller, then apply the throttle smoothly and maintain a steady speed.
Keep your body central and stable while you become comfortable with the acceleration and steering.
Once the board is moving at a stable speed, pull on the handle and climb on your knees, then rotate your body into your preferred riding stance, position your front foot, bring your back foot underneath you and stand up smoothly.
Use your head, shoulders and body weight to help steer the board left and right.
For first-time riders, don't rush the standing-up stage. Learn to control the board and the trigger first, then stand.
Before You Ride: Safety First
Before teaching somebody how to ride an Awake, spend a few minutes explaining the equipment and safety procedures.
Don't hand a guest the controller and immediately tell them to pull the throttle.
They should understand:
How the throttle works
How to release the throttle
How to unlock the controller
How the board accelerates
How to steer
How to stop applying power
What to do if they fall
How the Power Key Leash works, if being used
Where they are allowed to ride
Where the jet propulsion system is located
Why they must keep clear of swimmers, other watercraft, obstacles and shallow water
The rider should also wear the appropriate personal flotation and protective equipment for the location and conditions.
The Yacht Toy Guy Tip
When you're teaching yacht guests, explain the safety system before the rider gets onto the board.
Once somebody is sitting on an Awake with the controller in their hand, they're usually thinking about riding - not listening to a five-minute safety briefing.
Step 1: Get Onto the Awake from the Back
Start at the rear of the board.
Press down on the back of the board with both hands. This helps stabilize the board and makes it easier to climb on.
Use the handles to pull yourself onto the board.
Once you're on, position yourself centrally and get comfortable before applying any power.
Avoid trying to climb onto the board from the side it never works. Starting from the back gives the rider a simple, repeatable technique.
Step 2: Get Into a Stable Riding Position
Before trying to stand, get comfortable riding low on the board.
Keep your legs or knees nice and wide and your elbows wide.
A wider position gives you a more stable base and makes it easier to react to movement underneath you.
Don't immediately try to stand.
First, learn:
Throttle → Speed → Balance → Steering.
Standing comes afterwards.
This is particularly important when teaching guests. Getting them comfortable controlling the board before asking them to stand removes several things they would otherwise be trying to learn at the same time.
Step 3: Unlock the Awake Hand Controller
When you're in position and ready to ride, unlock the hand controller.
On the controller demonstrated in our video, release the throttle and hold the middle button for approximately three seconds until the throttle becomes active.
Always look at the instructions displayed on your particular hand controller and follow them.
Once the controller is unlocked, the rider has control of the board's propulsion.
This is the point where an instructor should make absolutely sure the water ahead is clear.
Step 4: Apply the Throttle Smoothly
Don't suddenly pull maximum throttle.
Apply the throttle smoothly and progressively and allow the board to start moving.
Once moving, aim for a steady, consistent speed rather than repeatedly accelerating and releasing the throttle.
One of the most important things new riders discover is that a little speed can actually help the board feel more stable and responsive.
Speed Helps You Steer
A common beginner mistake is slowing down too much every time the board starts to feel unstable.
The RÄVIK needs some forward movement to respond effectively to steering input.
Instead of constantly accelerating and decelerating, teach the rider to find a comfortable, controlled speed and maintain it.
That doesn't mean going as fast as possible.
It means using enough controlled speed for the board to respond predictably.
Step 5: Learn to Turn Before Standing Up
Before trying to stand, practice turning while you're still in the stable low position.
Lean gently left or right and feel how the board responds.
Don't make aggressive movements.
Start with long, gentle turns.
Look in the direction you want to travel and gradually become comfortable changing direction while maintaining a consistent throttle.
Once the rider can accelerate, slow down and make controlled turns, they're ready to start thinking about standing.
The Yacht Toy Guy Tip
When teaching a guest, don't judge their progress by how quickly they stand up.
A guest who can comfortably control the throttle and steer while staying low has learned more useful skills than somebody who immediately stands but can't control the board.
Step 6: How to Stand Up on an Awake RÄVIK
Once you're comfortable with the board's speed and steering, it's time to stand.
The key is to make the transition smoothly rather than suddenly.
Start from your stable riding position.
Then:
Maintain a comfortable, steady speed.
Twist your body toward your riding stance.
Bring your front foot forward into position.
Position your back foot.
Keep your weight controlled and centred.
Release the board handle when you're balanced.
Rise smoothly into your standing position.
Avoid jumping to your feet.
The movement should be progressive and controlled.
Regular or Goofy?
Your stance depends on which foot you naturally prefer at the front.
Regular: left foot forward.
Goofy: right foot forward.
Neither is better. Use whichever feels most natural.
If you're teaching a guest, establish whether they're regular or goofy before asking them to stand.
The Yacht Toy Guy Tip
When you're teaching yacht guests, don't use the footstraps immediately let them ride the board without the footstraps so they can figure out which foot is forward without struggling to place it inside the footstrap.
Step 7: How to Turn While Standing
Once you're standing, your whole body can help control the direction of the board.
A useful technique is to look where you want to go.
Turn your head and shoulders toward the direction of the turn and allow the rest of your body to follow naturally.
To turn left, look and rotate your shoulders left while progressively shifting your weight.
To turn right, do the same toward the right.
Avoid staring down at your feet.
Looking ahead helps with balance, awareness and smoother turns.
Think:
Eyes → Head → Shoulders → Body → Board.
Your movements should be smooth rather than aggressive.
Step 8: What to Do When You Fall
Falling is part of learning.
Before a guest starts riding, explain what you want them to do if they lose balance.
The most important first reaction is simple:
Release the throttle & and don't try to catch the board as you are falling.
Once the rider and board are safely separated and everything has stopped moving, they can return to the board and climb back on from the rear.
Never reach into or around the jet propulsion system while the board is active.
Don't encourage a guest to desperately try to save every fall. Sometimes stepping or falling safely away from the board is preferable to fighting to stay on.
Reset, climb back aboard and try again.
Using the Awake Power Key Leash as a Safety System
For an additional level of safety, the Awake can use its Power Key Leash (PKL) system.
You may also hear crew refer to this informally as the safety leash or kill cord.
Its purpose is straightforward: the leash is attached to the rider and connected to the board. If the rider becomes separated from the board and the magnetic Power Key disconnects, power to the propulsion system is cut.
Importantly, cutting power does not mean the board stops instantly.
The board has momentum and can continue travelling after power is removed. You must therefore still maintain plenty of distance from swimmers, boats, docks and other obstacles.
How to Enable PKL Lock
On the system demonstrated in our video, you can configure the throttle safety setting so the Power Key Leash must be connected before the throttle can be activated.
On the hand controller:
Settings → Left Arrow → Confirm → Throttle Safety → Confirm → PKL Lock → Apply
Once applied, the controller displays a message requiring the PKL to be connected before the throttle can be activated.
Follow the prompts displayed on your controller, as menus and software can change between controller and firmware versions.
How to Use the Awake Safety Leash / PKL
First, securely attach the leash to the rider in accordance with Awake's instructions.
Then connect the magnetic Power Key to its correct position on the battery.
With PKL Lock enabled, connecting the key allows the throttle system to be activated.
If the rider falls and becomes separated far enough from the board to pull the Power Key away, propulsion power is cut.
That's why the Power Key Leash can be particularly useful when teaching first-time guests.
It creates an additional physical safety layer alongside the controller's electronic throttle safety features.
How to Teach a Yacht Guest to Ride an Awake RÄVIK Board
If you're yacht crew, teaching the guest is slightly different from simply knowing how to ride the board yourself.
The biggest mistake is trying to teach everything at once.
Instead, break the lesson into stages.
Stage 1: Brief Them Before Entering the Water
Show the guest the controller while you're still on the yacht, swim platform or in another controlled environment.
Explain:
“This is your throttle. This is how you release it. This is how we unlock it. If you fall, release the throttle.”
Show them the Power Key Leash if you're using it and explain what happens when it disconnects.
Establish whether they're regular or goofy.
Then explain the first objective:
They're not trying to stand up immediately.
They're learning how to control the board.
Stage 2: Learn the Throttle
Get the guest onto the board from the rear.
Have them establish a stable, wide position.
Let them progressively apply the throttle and learn how the board responds.
They should become comfortable accelerating and reducing power before moving to the next stage.
Stage 3: Learn to Steer
Once they're comfortable with the throttle, have them make gentle left and right turns while staying low.
Tell them to look where they want to go.
Keep the movements smooth.
Stage 4: Find a Steady Speed
Teach them not to constantly pulse the throttle.
Find a comfortable speed where the board feels stable and responds properly to steering.
They don't need maximum power.
They need consistent, controlled power.
Stage 5: Stand Up
Only once the guest is comfortable controlling the board should you introduce standing.
Have them rotate into their regular or goofy stance, place the front foot, position the back foot and rise progressively.
Tell them to look ahead — not down at their feet.
Stage 6: Introduce Standing Turns
Once standing feels comfortable, use the same steering principle they learned earlier.
Look toward the turn.
Rotate the head and shoulders.
Allow the body and board to follow.
Start with big, gentle turns rather than aggressive carving.
The Yacht Toy Guy's Simple Guest Briefing
When I'm teaching somebody for the first time, I want them to remember a few simple things:
Start low.
Keep yourself wide and stable.
Use smooth, constant throttle.
Speed helps the board steer — but you don't need maximum power.
Look where you want to go.
Don't rush to stand up.
Release the throttle if you're falling.
Use the safety system correctly.
That's much easier for a guest to remember than a ten-minute technical explanation.
Common Beginner Mistakes on an Awake RÄVIK
Trying to Stand Too Early
Learn throttle and steering first.
Once those feel natural, standing becomes much easier.
Using Too Little Speed
Going extremely slowly can make steering and balance more difficult.
Use enough controlled speed for the board to respond, without pushing the rider beyond their ability.
Pulling the Throttle Too Aggressively
Smooth acceleration is much easier to manage than sudden bursts of power.
Looking Down
Look ahead and toward where you want to travel.
Your head and shoulders naturally help guide the rest of your body.
Standing Too Narrow
A wider, relaxed stance generally gives a new rider more stability.
Going Straight to High Power
A beginner doesn't need the maximum power setting.
Start conservatively and increase performance as their confidence and control improve.
Teaching Too Much at Once
For yacht crew, this is a big one.
Give the guest one objective at a time:
Throttle.
Then steering.
Then stable speed.
Then standing.
Then standing turns.
Awake RÄVIK Safety Checklist for Guests
Before sending a guest out, make sure:
The board has been correctly set up and inspected.
The rider understands the throttle.
The rider knows how to release the throttle.
The rider understands the controller lock.
An appropriate beginner power level has been selected.
The rider understands the Power Key Leash / PKL if it is being used.
The PKL is securely attached to the rider when required.
The rider is wearing appropriate flotation and protective equipment.
The controller strap is secured to the rider's wrist.
The riding area is clear of swimmers and other water users.
There is plenty of open water for learning.
The water is sufficiently deep and clear of rocks, shallows and debris.
The rider knows what to do if they fall.
Never send somebody out simply because they've used another board sport before.
An experienced surfer, snowboarder or wakeboarder may learn quickly, but they still need to understand the Awake's throttle, safety systems and propulsion.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is an Awake RÄVIK difficult to ride?
The basic controls are straightforward, but new riders should learn progressively. Start low on the board, become comfortable with throttle and steering, establish a stable speed and then progress to standing.
How do you stand up on an Awake board?
Build a steady, controlled speed first. Rotate your body into your riding stance, place your front foot, position your back foot and rise smoothly while maintaining balance and looking ahead.
How do you turn an Awake RÄVIK?
Maintain enough controlled forward speed for the board to respond, look where you want to go and use your head, shoulders and body weight to progressively guide the board through the turn.
Should I go fast when learning to ride an Awake?
You don't need maximum speed, but some controlled forward speed helps with stability and steering. Beginners should use a comfortable power setting and build speed progressively rather than immediately riding at maximum power.
Should you learn to steer before standing?
Yes. Becoming comfortable with throttle, speed and basic steering before standing reduces the number of new skills you're trying to learn simultaneously.
What is the Awake safety leash?
Awake calls it the Power Key Leash, or PKL. It is a magnetic safety system that can cut propulsion power if the rider becomes separated from the board and the key disconnects.
Is the Awake Power Key Leash the same as a kill cord?
It performs a similar safety function, which is why crew may informally call it a kill cord. Awake's correct terminology is Power Key Leash (PKL).
Remember that disconnecting the PKL cuts propulsion power but does not make a moving board stop instantaneously.
What should you teach an Awake rider first?
Start with safety and throttle control. Then teach basic steering while the rider remains low on the board. Once they can comfortably control speed and direction, progress to standing.
What stance should I use on an Awake?
If you ride with your left foot forward, you're regular.
If you ride with your right foot forward, you're goofy.
Use whichever feels most natural.
How do you teach yacht guests to ride an Awake?
Keep the lesson progressive: safety briefing, throttle control, steering, steady speed, standing and finally standing turns. Avoid overwhelming a first-time rider with every technique at once.
Watch: How to Ride an Awake RÄVIK
Want to see the complete technique?
Watch The Yacht Toy Guy's How to Ride an Awake RÄVIK video to see how we get onto the board, use the throttle, build speed, turn, stand up and introduce the safety leash.
If you haven't prepared the board yet, start with our first guide:
← How to Set Up an Awake RÄVIK: Step-by-Step Guide
Then come back here when you're ready to ride.
More Yacht Toy Guides from The Yacht Toy Guy
Knowing how to operate a yacht toy yourself is one thing.
Knowing how to teach a guest to use it safely, simply and confidently is another.
That's what The Yacht Toy Guy guides are designed to help with.
We cover the practical side of yacht toys — setup, operation, guest instruction, riding techniques, safety and looking after the equipment — so crew and owners can get more out of the toys they have onboard.
Follow The Yacht Toy Guy on Instagram for more practical yacht toy tutorials.
This guide is intended as a practical companion to The Yacht Toy Guy video. It does not replace Awake's official user manual, safety instructions, training or applicable local regulations. Hardware, controller menus, firmware and safety functions can change between Awake generations. Always follow the current instructions for the specific board, battery and hand controller you are using.
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