A knee board is a surfboard ridden in a kneeling stance. You can ride a knee board in the ocean or you can be towed behind a boat on lake or river as you practice your balance and tricks. A knee board gives you a low center of gravity, making it easier to get up on water skis or a wakeboard. Knee boards are made of the same materials as water skis, which is generally a polyurethane or foam core wrapped in a fiberglass or fiberglass/graphite composite exterior. Knee boards come with fins on the bottom that make it easy to steer, and a rope and handles for performing tricks. There are several different knee board models and purchasing one will depend on the kind of boarder you are, from beginning to advanced.
whattolookfor
When shopping for a knee board, look for the rocker number that corresponds to your level of expertise. The rocker is the measurement of the curve on the bottom of a knee board. The higher the number, the easier it is to turn the board; the lower the number, the faster the board will go. Additionally, knee boards come with a rope. Look for a multi-purpose rope for general knee boarding, or one with low or no stretch if you are going to perform tricks. The tighter the rope, the easier it is to pull yourself through flips and spins. The handles on knee boards should provide a wide grip and include foam floats in order to keep them afloat. There are basically four kinds of knee boards: recreational, competitive, trick, and slalom boards. Recreational knee boards have soft wide edges with a design that is roto-molded for smooth turning and optimum control. These boards are thick and buoyant, which make them good for beginners, acting as a flotation device after a spill. Competitive knee boards are compression-molded for better performance and durability and are appropriate for advanced knee boarders. They are thinner and lighter, with sharper edges for fast turning and tricks. Not as buoyant as recreational boards, making them good for use in deeper water. Trick boards have rounded bottoms and edges. Slalom boards are designed with even sharper edges than trick boards, making them ideal for quick darting turns.
commonpitfalls
Take your time when learning how to use a knee board. Don’t attempt tricks before you are ready. When you do begin doing tricks on a knee board, make sure you keep the nose of the board slightly higher than the tail when you are in the air and prepare yourself for a bounce on impact. Try not to make jerky movements when you do tricks, instead practice keeping them smooth for better control.
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