|
NOTE: If you are a beginner to intermediate rider, it is recommended to buy a kneeboard with the hook.
Kneeboards
There are two different types of
kneeboards: one is used as a surf sport and the other as a tow sport. As a surf sport, riders typically use them to ride waves in similar fashion to a surfboard, except that they remain on their knees throughout the
ride. As a tow sport, riders are towed behind a motorboat in similar fashion to a water-skier, as they remain on their knees (sitting on their heels) and are strapped to the board. The latter is a much faster paced
sport and requires kneeboards of a different construction.
Choosing Your Kneeboard
If you are looking for a unique watersport that is similar to water skiing, and just as thrilling, kneeboarding is
for you. Kneeboarding offers all new challenges and thrills, but having the right equipment for your size and ability is essential to enjoy the sport.
As water sports in general have greatly advanced over the
years, kneeboarding continues to be a dominate force in the water sport industry. The sport of kneeboarding has truly held its own through continuous growth and expansion within the sport. Kneeboarding requires less
physical skill and effort in comparison to other water sports such as wakeboarding or water skiing. These factors are especially beneficial to those who are newly interested or those looking to further their
interests in water sports. Kneeboarding is considered to be a good “gateway”, an introductory sport for novice users, primarily younger children just getting started out on the water but can also apply
to adults looking to break into the boating lifestyle or other forms of water sports. Kneeboarding is a family oriented sport that can be fun and exciting everyone, regardless of age or athletic ability. You have
the ability to cut through the wakes at various speeds, and even perform tricks, depending on your level of skill and ability.
Generally speaking the two main types of kneeboards are competitive and
recreational kneeboards. Most recreational kneeboarders use a rotomolded board, which is widely available and less expensive than high-tech models The soft, wide edges of rotomolded boards are best suited for
beginners and boarders just out for a good ride. The design allows for smooth turning and good control for even the novice kneeboarder. The boards are relatively thick and very buoyant, so they help act as a
flotation device after a spill. Some rotomolded boards offer fins to help make turning easier. Competitive kneeboards on the other hand are compression molded. Compression-molded boards offer more performance and
durability for the advanced kneeboarder .These are thinner, lighter and have sharper edges to allow quicker turning and tricks. Compression-molded boards are not as buoyant as rotomolded versions, which allows
advanced users to utilize deep-water starts.
Whether you are a beginner or advanced, there are two general styles of kneeboards, and the one you choose depends on what you are planning to do out on the water.
There are trick boards which typically have a rounded-out bottom and rounded edges making it easier to perform tricks. And slalom boards, which are designed for the specific use of slalom boarding and have sharper
edges to allow for better turning and holding the edge through the turn.
Water Ski World--Superior Kneeboards and Customer Service
At Water Ski World, we offer an extensive list of products from top
manufacturers such as O'Brien, Connelly and Hydroslide. Our inventory is comprised of two main types of kneeboard: recreational and competitive. Recreational models are far cheaper and typically have softer and
wider edges that are better suited for beginners. Their design allows for easy movement and they are usually thicker, providing more buoyancy.
Competitive kneeboards are usually compression molded, which provides higher performance and greater durability. Since they are often thinner and lighter, they allow riders to make
sharper turns and tricks. Additionally, since they are not as buoyant as recreational models, they allow riders to do deep-water starts.
There is also a difference between kneeboards designed for tricks and those designed for slaloming. Trick boards have a rounded bottom and edges, while
slalom boards have much sharper edges (providing the ability to complete sharper turns). Nevertheless, regardless of the type of kneeboard you are looking for, we at Water Ski World can provide you with the
equipment, assistance, and information to maximize your enjoyment and success in the sport.
|
