The Best Kneeboards

To determine the best kneeboard for you, you first need to know what types of waves you will be riding, your skill level and body size. To help ensure you choose a board that is right for you, it is advisable to consult with your local kneeboard shaper or surf shop before purchasing your board.

Beginner Kneeboard

If you are just learning to kneeboard, you need all the help you can get; thickness, width and length affect how easy the board paddles. A beginner will typically ride a longer, wider, thicker board, which gives the rider additional stability and paddle power. Your height and weight are also a factor: The heavier you are, the more float you will need to paddle into the wave. The best board for the average-size male beginner is at least 6-feet-2-inches long, 21 inches wide and 2 3/4-inches thick. The average-size woman will need a board at least 5-feet-10-inches long, 20 inches wide and 2 3/4 inches thick. If you believe that you are above average in height or weight, you may need a longer, thicker board. Squash tails and wide squaretails are best for the beginner due to the added planing surface. Rocker, the curve of the board while horizontal, should be small to medium. Use rubber fins while learning to help minimize injury when you fall.

Kneeboard for Experienced Riders

If you have more experience, your kneeboard will drop down in length, width and thickness. This size decrease makes the board more maneuverable, especially on critical waves. The best board for the experienced male kneeboard surfer is no more than 6 feet long, 19 inches wide and 2 1/2 inches thick. The experienced woman kneeboard surfer will ride a board that is no more than 5-feet-8-inches long, 18 1/2 inches wide and 2 1/2 inches thick. The thinner profile gives the board quicker turns in the pocket and the ability to ride in the barrel. Tail selection will change depending on the wave type: Round pins are perfect for hollow, fast surf; swallowtails are for rail-to-rail speed; and squash tails are excellent for making carving turns. Your rocker should be from medium to high. When ordering a high-performance board, always get fitted by your local shaper.

Old School Kneeboard Styles

If you prefer old-school styles, the spoon or the stinger-swallows will be the best kneeboards for you. The spoon is where the foam is removed from the deck, carved out like a spoon, and you sit below the deck rim. The boards are extremely maneuverable, fast and extremely rare. Stinger swallows are fish-shaped surfboards with half of the back end of the board cut away, making these boards extremely fast. However, what you get in speed you lose in turning ability.