Kneeboarding is a great way to have fun and train your balance at the same time. You kneel on the kneeboard and let yourself be pulled through the water by the boat or a wakeboard cable system.
It gets even better:
It’s not just children who have fun with the Kneeboard, it’s suitable for the whole family!
What many people don’t know:
You can not only ride the kneeboard, but also perform jumps and tricks. Even the most demanding water sports enthusiasts will have fun with it.
This is how kneeboarding works:
BeyondSurfing explains how kneeboarding works and how to avoid buying mistakes when choosing a kneeboard.
Content
- 1 These are the top 3 kneeboards in 2024
- 2 Bestsellers: The most popular kneeboards
- 3 Buy a kneeboard: How to make the right decision
- 4 Kneeboard basics: how it works
- 5 FAQ: Frequently asked questions and answers about kneeboarding
- 6 Conclusion: The most popular kneeboards reviewed
- 7 Specialist literature, sources & further links
Kneeboard Checklist
- Who is it suitable for? Kneeboarding is easy to learn for both children and water sports beginners.
- How does that work? Kneeboarding involves kneeling on the kneeboard and being pulled by the boat or water ski lift.
- Where? Kneeboarding is possible at any wakeboard facility in Germany.
Also interesting: The most popular foil boards 2024.
These are the top 3 kneeboards in 2024
1. Best Twin Tip Kneeboard
Advantages
- Good performance
- Forgiving
- Good stability and cornering
- Strap included
- Suitable for beginners to intermediates
Disadvantages
- Relatively high dead weight
Summary
The SPINERA kneeboard is forgiving and delivers a good performance in the water. This makes it suitable for both beginners and advanced users.
The board consists of a PE shell with a PU core and is supplied with EVA knee pads. The twin tip kneeboard impresses with high stability and a sleek cornering position.
The board has a dead weight of 10 kg and can carry up to 130 kg of rider weight. It also includes a padded neoprene strap.
Product details
Size: 134 cm x 57.4 cm (length x width) | Features: pad, EVA knee pads, strap included, no hook, no fins
Customer ratings
2. best versatile kneeboard
Advantages
- Top performance
- Low dead weight
- Very easy to maneuver
- incl. Universal vest
- Suitable for all skill levels
Disadvantages
- Fragile
- High price
Summary
The Jobe Omnia Multiboard is the right choice for anyone looking for a board for a wide range of applications.
The Al-In-One board is not only suitable as a kneeboard but also for wakeboarding and wakesurfing. The non-slip EVA deck guarantees the necessary stability.
The lightweight board has no fins, making it quick to turn and perfect for spins and other tricks.
In addition to the board, the scope of delivery also includes a ski combo leash and a universal vest.
Product details
Size: 147 x 59 x 9cm | Equipment: pad, leash, vest, no hook, no fins
Customer ratings
FAQ
3. best sustainable kneeboard
Advantages
- Strap included
- Top performance
- Low dead weight
- Very easy to maneuver
- Produced with 100 % solar energy
Disadvantages
- Only suitable for beginners to a limited extent
Summary
This kneeboard from Jobe is the perfect introduction to the world of high-performance kneeboards and is perfect for learning your first tricks.
The high-end kneeboard from Jobe has a traditional foam core and thus guarantees optimum performance.
The material used is very light and yet durable. The low weight ensures high jumps and more control in the air. The soft pad on the surface makes landing comfortable.
The Kneeboard is made from 100 % solar energy. This model is ideal for anyone who values sustainability.
Product details
Size: Size:N/A | Features: Pad, strap included, no hook, no fins
Customer ratings
More articles you might find interesting:
Bestsellers: The most popular kneeboards
(**Last update 2024-09-16)
Buy a kneeboard:
How to make the right decision
Choosing the right kneeboard is important to have as much fun as possible in the water.
The world of kneeboards is colorful and diverse:
There are many different kneeboards and kneeboard manufacturers. In addition, different kneeboard types are designed for different riding styles.
The solution:
BeyondSurfing shows you what you need to look out for so that you can make the right choice from the wide range on offer.
What you need to consider when buying a kneeboard (incl. Checklist)
When looking for the best kneeboard, you should definitely pay attention to the following features and characteristics:
- Type
- Style
- Material
- Finns
- Channels
- Rocker
- Tail
- Pad
- Hook
- Accessories
Unfortunately, there have not yet been any tests by Consumer Reports or Öko Test.
Kneeboard type
What types of kneeboard are there?
Kneeboards can be divided into two categories:
- Recreational Boards
- Competitive Boards
1 Recreational Boards
- For beginners to intermediates
- Inexpensive
- Stable and forgiving
- High buoyancy
- Manufactured with rotational molding
Recreational boards are the right choice for leisure use or as a first kneeboard. They are best suited for beginners to intermediates and are cheaper than Competetive boards. They are usually produced with the help of rotational molding.
Recreational boards Riding characteristics:
Recreational boards have a soft rail, i.e. a thick round outer edge. This makes the kneeboard easy to control and forgiving.
Why?
Turns are easy to initiate and the board turns smoothly thanks to the shape of the edges.
It gets even better:
Due to their large surface area, recreational boards are stable in the water and enjoy a lot of buoyancy. This allows you to hold on to the kneeboard after a fall and stay afloat without any effort.
Recreational boards are often equipped with fins. As a result, the board is less likely to break away and is more stable when riding straight ahead and when cornering.
2 Competitive Boards
- For intermediates to professionals
- High price
- Better performance
- Less buoyancy
- Made with compression molding
Competitive boards offer maximum performance and control in the water. They are priced higher than recreational boards and are more suitable for intermediates and pros. They are manufactured using the compression molding process.
Competitive boards Riding characteristics:
Competitive kneeboards are light and less forgiving, the rails and therefore the whole board are less wide. The thin rail makes the kneeboard very maneuverable. Although it is more difficult to initiate bends, they can be taken more tightly.
The result:
Due to their riding characteristics, they are perfect for a fast, aggressive riding style and kneeboard tricks.
Competitive kneeboards have less buoyancy and lie deeper in the water. They are therefore ideal for advanced riders who prefer deep water starts.
Kneeboard Style
What kneeboard styles are there?
The style decides what is best to do with the board in the water. Which style is chosen depends on the ability of the kneeboarder.
A distinction is made between two common kneeboard styles:
Slalom style board
Slalom style kneeboards have thin, hard edges and a smooth surface. This makes the board fast and easy to turn in the water. Perfect for carving through the water in sharp bends, for example on a slalom course.
Trick Style Board
Trick style boards are best suited for tricks and spins. They have a curved underside that gives the kneeboard a playful ride.
They also have more rocker than slalom style boards. The curved shape ensures that the kneeboard jumps higher and lands more gently. The rounded edges of Trick Style boards also help you land jumps better.
Kneeboard material
The advantages and disadvantages of different materials?
Kneeboards made from plastic?
- Flexible
- Forgiving
- Good for beginners
- Robust
- Soft landing
- High weight
Plastic kneeboards have a polyurethane or foam core covered with a layer of polyethylene plastic.
Perfect for beginners:
Plastic kneeboards are robust and durable boards. This makes them perfect boards for beginners.
Riding characteristics that promise fun:
The material used makes the kneeboard flexible and therefore forgiving. Landings on plastic kneeboards are also softer, as the board can bend on impact and thus absorb the shock.
The disadvantage:
Unfortunately, plastic kneeboards do not score well in terms of weight because they are heavier than fiberglass boards. As a result, it is more difficult to jump high and turn in the air.
Kneeboards made of fiberglass?
- Stiff
- Better performance
- Low weight
- Speed
- Little buoyancy
- Hard landings
Fiberglass kneeboards also have a core made of polyurethane or foam. The difference lies in the sheathing. Here, fiberglass or a mixture of fiberglass and graphite is used instead of plastic.
The differences to plastic boards:
Kneeboards made of fiberglass are thinner and stiffer than those made of plastic. As a result, these boards perform well in the water.
The edges cut through the water better, the kneeboard turns better in tight bends and you come out of the bend with more speed.
Another point:
Fiberglass kneeboards have less buoyancy and are therefore lower in the water. Perfect for deep water starts!
High jumps thanks to low weight:
Due to the low weight of fiberglass kneeboards, you can jump higher with them and turn the board more easily. These boards are therefore particularly suitable for intermediates and advanced riders who want to perform tricks and jumps.
The disadvantage:
Due to the stiffness of the board, landings are harder than with plastic kneeboards. The board does not bend on landing and the shock is not absorbed. In addition, a fiberglass kneeboard is fragile and must be handled with care.
Kneeboard fins
Kneeboarding with or without fins?
The fins sit at the back on the underside of the kneeboard and are either made of plastic or fiberglass.
The fins are either fixed to the kneeboard or can be removed. Removable fins are best. This gives you the opportunity to vary and make the riding experience of the kneeboard without fins more playful.
Effect on the driving characteristics:
The kneeboard becomes more stable with fins and is easier to control. A board with fins is recommended for beginners.
But be careful when steering:
Finns don’t make it any easier to steer the kneeboard. In contrast to kneeboards without fins, you can only change direction by shifting your weight to the left or right. The rail is then pushed into the water on the corresponding side and the board turns.
This also means:
Spins become more difficult because the board cannot be turned as quickly.
Now for the good news:
The fins ensure that the tail of the kneeboard does not break away so easily when cornering!
Kneeboard Channels
What are channels on the kneeboard good for?
Channels are channels on the underside of the board, which can be found on most kneeboards. They have a similar effect to fins, but do not have as strong an impact on handling.
Why is this important?
Channels make the kneeboard more stable and ensure that it does not break away so easily when cornering.
Kneeboard Rocker
What effect does the rocker have on handling?
The rocker refers to the bend of the kneeboard from the tail (rear end) to the nose (tip of the board). The strength of the rocker affects the speed and turning ability of the kneeboard.
- Little rocker/weak curvature: The kneeboard is fast, but less easy to turn.
- Lots of rocker/strong curvature: The kneeboard is less fast, but more agile. Why? There is less surface area in the water on which the rider’s weight is distributed.
Kneeboard Tail
What effect do kneeboard tails have on riding behavior?
The tail is the rear end of the kneeboard. It can have different forms, the most common are:
- Swallow Tail
- Squash Tail
- Pin Tail
Kneeboard pad
What to look out for when choosing a kneeboard pad?
On the top of the kneeboard is a pad made of rubber-like EVA. The pad has an indentation for the knees and ensures a secure hold and control of the kneeboard.
This is how the kneeboard pad fits your knees:
The knees must always fit comfortably in the recesses provided. Kneeboard pads are one size and are suitable for both adults and children.
The pads do not need to fit perfectly:
However, your knees should not wobble too much, as otherwise movements will be poorly transferred to the kneeboard and it will be harder to control.
Important:
The kneeboard pad must be comfortable and not too hard. Otherwise your knees will ache after long journeys.
If the kneeboard is left in the sun for a long time, the pad can slowly come loose as the heat attacks the adhesive over time.
Kneeboard strap
Is every kneeboard strap equally good?
Most kneeboards are equipped with straps. The strap is a belt with which you strap yourself onto the kneeboard pad. It therefore provides an even better grip on the kneeboard.
The belt is pulled tight over the thighs and fastened with a Velcro fastener. Most straps are one size and are suitable for children and adults.
For Kneeboard beginners:
If you’re just learning to kneeboard, it’s best to make your first attempts without a strap.
Why?
Even if the harness is safe and can be opened quickly after a fall, it can be a stress factor for beginners who have no experience.
Beginners and children may be overwhelmed by the situation after a fall and forget to unfasten the harness. If your head is under water, there is a risk that you will not be able to turn the kneeboard under your own power.
For advanced and professional users:
The strap can be opened quickly and easily and makes kneeboarding safer. The board stays underneath you during tricks and jumps. After a hard landing, you can’t fall off the board and therefore don’t crash so easily.
The strap is also useful for slalom:
When carving tight turns, you have a secure grip on the kneeboard, can put more weight on the rail and are less likely to fall.
Straps that break can easily be replaced with new ones.
Kneeboard Hook
What is a kneeboard hook for and is it really necessary?
The hook is a hook located on the front of the top of the kneeboard. The handle of the rope is hooked into the hook to be pulled by the boat or wakeboard system.
The advantage of hooks:
Hooks make it easier to launch from the water, which is a great advantage for beginners in particular. That’s why hooks are also found on most beginner and recreational kneeboards.
The whole thing works like this:
Instead of holding on to the handle at the end of the rope at the start, the handle is attached to the hook. Then let yourself be pulled out of the water and get into the driving position. When you are ready, take the handle off the hook and let yourself be pulled.
Kneeboard accessories
This is all part of kneeboarding
To really get started with kneeboarding, you need more than just the board. The right kneeboard accessories include
- swim vest
- Rope
- Handle
The right kneeboard swim vest?
A vest is essential for kneeboarding. It protects the body on impact and keeps you afloat.
Apart from normal swim vests, impact vests (also known as comp vests) are often used. These are specially designed to protect the upper body from injury.
Good to know: Impact vests do not work like swim vests because they do not keep you completely afloat.
The right impact vest size?
Most manufacturers offer a list in which you can see which dress size fits which bust size. To do this, measure your chest circumference at the widest point and compare the value with the table.
| Clothing size | Chest circumference men (in cm) | Chest circumference women (in cm) |
|---|---|---|
| XS | 83.3-89.9 | 76.2-81.3 |
| S | 88.9-94 | 81.3-86.4 |
| M | 94-99.1 | 86.4-91.4 |
| L | 99.1-104.2 | 91.4-96.5 |
| XL | 104.2-109.2 | 96.5-101.6 |
| XXL | 109.2-114.3 | <— |
| XXXL | 120.6-128.3 | — |
| Note: The table is only an initial guide for orientation. | ||
Important: The kneeboard vest should fit comfortably and not slip over your head!
The right kneeboard leash
Kneeboard ropes are usually 60 to 70 feet (i.e. 18 to 21 meters) long:
No-stretch vs. low-stretch ropes?
When buying a kneeboard rope, there are two options to choose from:
No-stretch ropes (do not stretch under load)
No-stretch ropes are made of Spectra or Dyneema. When the rope is under tension, the material does not stretch and is therefore best suited for kneeboarding.
The materials used for No-Stretch ropes are robust and durable. In addition, they hardly absorb any water, so the rope does not become heavier and tiring to hold in the water.
Low-stretch ropes (stretch by 2-3% of their length under load)
Low-stretch ropes are made of polyethylene or a polyethylene blend. Under load, the rope stretches by 1-3% of its length, depending on how strong the pull is.
Low-stretch ropes are a good compromise if you are looking for a rope for kneeboarding and water skiing. The rope has little stretch and is well suited for kneeboarding, but at the same time it is elastic enough for water skiing.
The right kneeboard grip
When kneeboarding, the grip is 13-15 inches (i.e. 33-38 cm) wide. The wider the handle, the easier it is to do tricks where you have to grab the handle behind your back or pass it around.Did you know? The best-known and most popular kneeboard manufacturers and brands include: Joker, Jobe, Mesle, O’Brien.
Kneeboard basics: how it works
How kneeboarding works
Enough material theory! How does kneeboarding actually work?
The start out of the water
Find out now how to stand up on your kneeboard in 5 simple steps:
- Lie on the board and hold the handle of the rope in your hand. Position your elbows where you want your knees to be later and hold the handle in both hands. Bend your elbows and lean on them.
- Give the driver the start signal. The rider then starts off slowly so that the kneeboarder can familiarize himself with the feel of the kneeboard. The speed is then slowly increased.
- Slowly push your knees forward towards your elbows and bring your head over the nose of the kneeboard. Then get ready for the pop-up.
- Place your dominant hand on one side of the kneeboard and hold the rope with the other. If the board has a hook, you can use both hands, which makes the whole thing a lot easier. Then push up from your hands and jump into the kneeling kneeboard position.
- Shift the weight towards the heels. Keep your arms stretched and lean slightly backwards while holding on to the rope. To turn corners, you lean in the direction you want to go.
The start from land
Starting from land or at a wakeboard facility is easier than from the water and works as follows:
- Kneel on the pad and hold the handle of the rope with bent arms.
- Lean your upper body forward.
- Allow to steep in water. To turn corners, you lean in the direction you want to go.
What kneeboard tricks are there?
There are many different tricks for kneeboarding. Here is an overview of the most important kneeboard tricks:
Surface Tricks
Tricks on the surface of the water, mostly spins around your own axis.
Airs
Jumps over the wave. This includes simple skipping, spins and even somersaults.
Grabs
With a grab, the board is gripped in the air by hand.
Where can you go kneeboarding in Germany?
Basically on any lake, as long as you are allowed to use it with a motorboat.
However, as this is usually not the case, there are a large number of wakeboard and water ski facilities in Germany where you can also go kneeboarding.
- Whether Berlin, Hamburg, Dresden, Mannheim or Langenfeld near Cologne, there are wakeboard parks near every major city in the northern half of Germany.
- But you can also go kneeboarding in the south without a boat. For example in Aschheim near Munich or on Lake Constance.
The right kneeboard boat setup?
The same boats are used for kneeboarding as for wakeboarding. If you have a boat that you want to use for kneeboarding, there are a few things to bear in mind:
- Depending on how the boat lies in the water, the wake becomes larger or smaller.
- The speed of the boat plays an important role when it comes to safety.
How fast should the kneeboard boat go?
How fast a boat travels has an effect on the keel wave:
Slow (< 34 Km/h):
Riding slowly reduces the risk of injury, but you also have less speed for jumps and other tricks.
If the boat is traveling slowly (below 21 MPH), the wave behind the boat will be less clean and less suitable for jumping over.
Fast (> 34 Km/h):
If the boat is going fast, you have a nice clean wave behind it. Perfect for long jumps over the wake.
But be careful: the faster the boat, the harder the impact in the event of a fall!
How fast should the boat go?
When kneeboarding, speeds of 20-24 MPH are normal. For children and beginners, 10 MPH is enough.
The following applies:
For beginners and children, the boat should be driven slowly and the speed increased in small steps. The driver of the boat, or even better a third party, should communicate with the kneeboarder.
How fast should the boat go?
The following table applies to children behind the boat:
| Age | Speed in MPH |
|---|---|
| 5-10 years | +/- 10 |
| 10-13 years | 10-15 |
| 14-18 years | 15-20 |
| 18+ years | Depending on ability |
The right wake size?
A wake is the wave behind the boat. The wake changes depending on how much weight is on the boat and how it is distributed.
A small wake is sufficient, especially for beginners. This allows you to concentrate solely on riding and learn the basics of kneeboarding. The size of the wake is then slowly increased.
Weight the wakeboard boat correctly?
The correct weighting of the boat plays an important role. The heavier the boat, the deeper it sinks in the water, the bigger the wake. Depending on the weight shift, the wake becomes steeper or flatter.
Four tips for correct weight distribution:
Bow and stern
Depending on whether there is more weight on the bow or stern, the wave becomes more or less steep.
More weight on the bow: less steep wave.
More weight at the rear: steep wave.Distribute passengers
Before using weights, use your passengers as ballast. To try out different positions, they are easier to move than other ballast and can be moved quickly.
Distribute weight evenly
The weight must be distributed as equally as possible on the left and right side of the boat. This makes the wave even on both sides and can be ridden equally well by goofies and regulars. If one side of the shaft is not clean, there is too little weight on this side.
Try it!
Try out different setups until you find the best one, because every boat has different characteristics!
What can I use as ballast?
Three ways to influence the weight distribution:
System Integrated Ballast
If your boat has an integrated ballast system, you can easily change the weight distribution.
Water Ballast Bags
These are bags made of robust fabric that are filled with water. They are easy to handle and easy to move around the boat. In addition, the water can be drained off again if necessary, thus changing the weight.
Weights
Be careful with lead weights. They are bulky and can cause damage to the boat.
Hand signals for water safety
To ensure safety in the water, the driver of the boat must communicate with the kneeboard. They must be able to indicate to the driver when they want something from him.
There are 7 important hand signals for safety in the water:
Faster
A thumbs-up gesture signals the driver to drive faster.
Slower
Thumbs down, signaling the driver to slow down.
OK sign
Indicates that the kneeboarder is satisfied with the speed.
Turn over
Make a circular motion with your outstretched index finger. Can be displayed by both the driver and the kneeboarder. This signals that the boat is turning or making/should make a turn. After the circular movement, point in the direction in which the boat is turning.
Back to the landing stage
Tap the head with the flat of your hand. The kneeboarder says that he wants to return to the landing stage.
STOP
Two fingers are drawn sideways across the throat. This indicates that the engine must be switched off immediately. Can be signaled by the rider, driver as well as by outsiders.
Everything ok
Both hands are clasped above the head, or one hand grips the other. This signals that everything is OK after a fall.
How all the hand signals work ” See here.
FAQ: Frequently asked questions and answers about kneeboarding
How does a kneeboard work?
How do you kneeboard?
What tricks are there for kneeboards?
What should you look out for with kneeboards?
Which kneeboard is right for me?
- If you only use the kneeboard in your free time, then a recreational board.
- If you are ambitious and want the best performance in the water, then a competitive board is for you.
Conclusion: The most popular kneeboards reviewed
Kneeboarding is a great sport for the whole family. Whether on vacation or at your home wakeboard facility – fun is guaranteed!
Specialist literature, sources & further links
You can find more information on this topic here:
- Kneeboard World, a website with lots of tutorials and information about kneeboarding: http://www.kneeboardworld.com/
Note: BeyondSurfing is not responsible and is not liable for the content of external websites.
*Price includes VAT, plus shipping. Customer reviews, prices, delivery times and costs may change in the meantime. By linking to selected online shops and partners, we may receive a small affiliate commission. There are no additional costs for you.
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