Any thoughts on what would make for good dimensions for a kneeboard for me? I'm 5'10 and 175lbs.
I'm interested in using the board for waves that have very hollow and steep takeoffs at the peak and are in the head high (standing) size range. Basically a situation where I end up getting pitched when I try to stand up surf but a place where I've had some brief but great tubes belly riding.
I stand up surf a 5'4" x 21.5" x 2 3/4" fish with full rails. I do knee ride this occasionally but it's not very loose from this position, hence the interest in shaping myself a dedicated kneeboard with fins that are more foreward. I've seen some people knee ride boards larger than this but my sense of things is that I could go much smaller.
Anyone with more knee riding experience have any thoughts?
EHO... I have a I have 5 boards 5' 3" and under. My smallest board is 4'10". I learned on a 5"6" As much as I hate to say this, you want to learn on a longer board. There are tough to ride. You have to be willing to deal with the shortcommings of a board that short. Boy, I can`t believe I just said that !! Thing is I know what i`m sacroficing and thats fine with meMy longest board is 5'8 and i`m having a 5'7" shaped.Listen to Beeline and start longer, then once you get the hang of it, you can try one of my boards.I see that you are La Jolla . I`m in Escondido.
I'm interested in using the board for waves that have very hollow and steep takeoffs at the peak and are in the head high (standing) size range. Basically a situation where I end up getting pitched when I try to stand up surf but a place where I've had some brief but great tubes belly riding.
Food for thought-
Of the 4 finalists in this years World Titles, three were smaller than you, and one was around your size... the boards they were riding were 5'11" Quad, two 6'0 Flashpoint Tri's, and a 6'6" Quad.
If you want something to grow into, get a board at least your height, with a bit of Volume for your weight.... decrease the Volume as you increase the length.
Hey Man, PM me, I ride the reefs everyweekend in L.J. and you can get wit me and try one of my reef boards! they range from 5-6" to 5-10" and I basicly wiegh the same as you.........
There are plenty of us who will let try our boards. Most of us have boards between 5'8" and 6'2". I would say about 5'10 X 23.0" would be a good place for you to start.
I'm 5'10, 165 lbs (before breakfast) and ocassionally kneeboard some of the hollower spots in LJ.
My boards are 5'9 rounded pin 4-fins. I think you'll find that with the right fin placement you can make boards this size and bigger go just fine - especially in the good stuff. My brother is about 6'0 (same weight) and kills it on a 6'0.
Find a good Kneeboard shaper and talk with him about a board that'll work for you. Or, come down to Blacks on just about any Sat or Sun and you'll find several Kneelos there who could also share more on their design preference.
Yes, that was me. I'm getting more SDSU airtime since Jason Foster took another job as spokesperson for the Water Authority. Just don't ask me how to fix the football team!
I appreciate all the feedback, really insightful stuff.
So going with something closer to 6' seems to be the general consensus. Very interesting! Since I'm stand up surfing a 5'4" fish, I'm really surprised by this! I figured you didn't need as much length if you were on your knees and would want something shorter so you could turn the board with less effort.
I'll be shaping the board myself, so I can't depend on the experience of a knowldegable knee board shaper. I hope I can meet some of you sometime and pick your brains in person. Here's a link to a blog with some pictures of some of the stand up boards I've been shaping more recently: www.breaksselection.blogspot.com
I've seen a few kneeboarders out and about in LJ over the years... I wonder if any of those people are any of you?
dude ...your boards are sick man....i really enjoyed checking out your site...i hope you start shaping kneeboards for the public too..we need more shapers!!!.....
......................stealing this from your site,hope its cool.......
