There’s a carved out spoon style board, with a large narrow “old school” flex fin. This board glides, flows and blends well with a wave. It rides nicely back in the pocket, and when that beautiful bottom turn sets the stage for driving up the face, its ready to rotate around that single fin for another look ! This board loves to just find that sweet spot on the face of the wave and climb and drop in  harmony as the characteristics of the wave change.

There’s a high performance fish style split tail, with a twin keel fin set-up. This board is seeking speed. It’s split tail design and keel fins will generate more speed then is normally required!  Not Bad! Racing down the line of a point break type wave, is a good situation for this type of kneeboard design. Banking off the board’s rail with a fin fully engaged, will show just how impressive this powerful design really is.

There’s also a Mini Simmons full tail model. It’s got a multi fin quad or five-fin set-up that will represent all of the possible fin configurations. This board is a cruiser with a grip! It might even share a hybrid characteristic with stand-up options. It’s a fun little shape that also works well in softer style waves.

Since the knees are in control, the center of gravity is low and close to the surface of the board. Deck shapes are usually a variation on some degree of a concave contour.  Most kneeboarders add or require ¼ to ½ inch thick neoprene rubber pad for the section of the deck that the knees and the tops of the feet occupy. The pad is a comfortable feature as the board is carving turns and gliding on the wave.

Most of these kneeboards tend to be a bit wider on average then a typical stand up surfboard. It’s OK too, because the body is low to the board and can control the extra width.

The knee boarder’s hands are a major controlling factor during hard carving radical turns and grabbing one rail or the other, with a hand is a distinguishing feature of the kneeboarder’s style.

A well-designed kneeboard will usually be able to handle sizeable waves. And. “If it can be caught, it can be ridden”  Have Fun … !

One last thing… Over the years, Steve has been asked to design and modify the “Belly-Kneeboard” type of shapes, to suit the specific needs of the paraplegic waterman. This shape includes a flattish rocker with just a little extra nose kick, a full tail area, at least 2 fins and a deep concave deck, for the secure positioning of the paddler. Deck handles, neoprene pads and Velcro kneepads have been some of the optional accessories that help make this type of design a successful blessing to such a dedicated waterman! Thank You