Kneeboarding is a water sport in which a motorboat pulls a participant sitting on her heels on a board. Kneeboarding is a popular alternative to surfing and water skiing. Since its humble beginning in Southern California in the 1960s, kneeboarding has become an internationally recognized competitive sport, attracting thousands of people of all ages to this fun water activity.
Getting Organized
Water skiers founded the American Kneeboarding Association in 1983 and soon started to organize competitions. Kneeboarders compete in a variety of slalom events. Judges assess competitors' skill and ability to perform tricks and base scores on style and technical ability. These competitions led to a great interest in the sport and a growing number of participants. According to the Water Ski Hall of Fame, Texas hosted the first Kneeboard Nationals in 1987.
Early Kneeboards
When kneeboarding began, surfboarders made homemade boards. The first kneeboards manufactured specifically for kneeboarding were made in the late 1960's and early 1970's. Abercrombie & Fitch stores in select regions started to carry a kneeboard called the Inland Wake Board. Other early kneeboards include the fiberglass-encased Knee Ski and the molded plastic Glide Slide. Danny Churchill, a water skier, purchased the company that made the Glide Slide, made significant improvements to it and renamed it the Hydroslide.
Modern-Day Kneeboards
Early boards were heavier, had a flat bottom and were shaped like teardrops. Modern boards are much lighter and are more concave. Modern kneepads are also better for preventing injury. Many water ski manufacturers make kneeboards in a variety of models for beginner to expert kneeboarders alike. According to the University of Toronto, manufacturers make two kinds of kneeboards: trick boards, which have more curvature and thick rails, and slalom boards, which have flat bottoms and rails that are sharp. Fins, used for slalom, are an impediment for performing tricks. Some boards have retractable fins that allow for any kind of kneeboarding.
Changes
Several key changes to competitive kneeboarding have occurred since the formation of the AKA in 1983. The association is now recognized internationally as the main authority on kneeboarding. It elects a volunteer board of directors, which governs the organization and meets on a regular basis. Topics discussed at board meetings include new tricks, rule changes and tournaments. USA Water Ski granted the American Kneeboard Association the status of Sports division in 1988.
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