Why are there so few kneelos in NorCal?

surfnut · Post by **surfnut** » Tue Nov 24, 2009 6:41 pm

I live in Northern California and have only seen 3 people kneeboarding, ever (not counting me!). Yet there seem to be a lot of folks in Southern California. It's not that we lack surfers up here - the good breaks are always crowded. We have bodyboarders. But almost no kneelos. Anybody know why? Just curious.

--Nicole (surfnut)

kidrock · Post by **kidrock** » Tue Nov 24, 2009 6:43 pm

because most of 'em tend to get eaten by Whitey.

Actually, there's lots of KBers up there. You won't find any real kneeriders at the "well-known" spots usually...most will be at some weird, powerful and rarely ridden breaks. KBer's need juice, and don't seek out the limelight.

Most, anyways

kage · Post by **kage** » Wed Nov 25, 2009 9:57 am

After observing over the years (in Nor Cal) my guess at the proportion would be for every 100 standups there will be about 5 body boarders and one kneelo. And 0.1 paipos.

sf_firestarter · Post by **sf_firestarter** » Wed Nov 25, 2009 1:20 pm

funny as I thought the opposite. I've never seen another kneeboarder in SoCal or any other place I've been but NorCal.

It is fun going to places frequented by those newer to surfing in NorCal as you are always sure to get a few strange looks and funny questions. ie.."what is that", "do you stand with those" or my favorite last time out at Pleasure Point "is that a boogieboard?".

gumby · Post by **gumby** » Wed Nov 25, 2009 9:59 pm

When asked. Wow people still kneeboard I havent seen one in 10, 20, 30 years. I just ask where you been surfing, Then I ask that they not drop in on me again

Scott · Post by **Scott** » Wed Nov 25, 2009 10:11 pm

You won't find any real kneeriders at the "well-known" spots usually...most will be at some weird, powerful and rarely ridden breaks.

I agree with this. There's probably one other kneelo out with me (that I didn't bring along) on about 1/3 of my sessions. You just have to be at the right spots.

On a related topic: there is at least one more guy who wants to get back into kneeboarding in NorCal. I just met him Saturday in the parking area at one of those off-the-beaten-path spots. He used to kneeboard with Bob DuBois and some of those early SC pioneers. He's been out of the state, out of surfing, and is now back in the Santa Cruz area. He's looking for a starter modern kneeboard (he was very interested checking out my boards), something around $200 to see how he likes it. Anyone around here got something stashed away that you'd like to part with for some needed Christmas cash?

C J Gagner · Post by **C J Gagner** » Fri Nov 27, 2009 11:46 am

Posted: Wed Nov 25, 2009 1:20 pm Post subject:

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funny as I thought the opposite. I've never seen another kneeboarder in SoCal or any other place I've been but NorCal.

It is fun going to places frequented by those newer to surfing in NorCal as you are always sure to get a few strange looks and funny questions. ie.."what is that", "do you stand with those" or my favorite last time out at Pleasure Point "is that a boogieboard?".
or my favorite is that a drop knee thing. I surf every thing from santa cruz to pismo mostly

skansand · Post by **skansand** » Fri Nov 27, 2009 8:18 pm

EVERYtime im in nor cal/central i see at Least another kneelo....today i saw one and a mat rider and an older guy on a blue soft top getting some long knee rides