Couple of Questions

[HIpaipo]

Hey everyone,
I have been paipo boarding for 2 years on my homemade 3/4 inch finless plywood board, and have become interested in kneeboarding after kneeing on a large wooden finless paipo, which was pretty interesting to say the least. I have borrowed a neighbor's old busted up Blast fish kneeboard which is somewhere between 5' 7" and 5' 9", and have taken it out for one surf so far, I hope to go out with him sometime soon, so he can show me the basics hands on. I made a$$ on this first attempt of riding a real kneeboard-I could'nt dive the board(after watching a youtube video, I now know how to do this) and I had difficulties catching waves. When I did try for waves, I was laying down near the back of the board and kicking (with swim fins).

This leads to my first question- How do you catch waves? Paddle with your arms and kick, or just kick, etc.....

Second question- Do I need to try a shorter board? I tried laying down near the center of the board, but I found out that I could not kick as efficiently(ended up splashing water around). BTW, I'm 5' 9" and around 170 lbs.

Third question- How about those flex spoon kneeboards? I have read somewhat about them, and it seems like they are similar to paipo boards in flotation and the method of catching waves, and kicking back out to the lineup. But if I were to buy one, would I be biting off more than I can chew as a beginner?[/b]

[Troz and Chayno]

Hey mate, welcome to the site, and kneeboarding,
This is going to cause some grief as it does every time someone brings it up, but... Ditch the flippers. You paddle with your arms. The need for flippers has always confused me. They create drag, slide off the back of the board when you do turns and are one more thing to lose.
That might help you out with the second question because without the flippers you wont be kicking.
I know nothing about flex spoon kneelos so il pass on that one.

Yeow
Chayne

[HIpaipo]

thanks for the advice, will try that.

[fooj]

HIpaipo,
You will be the only Hawaiian Kneeboarder that doesn't use fins. I think. Let the grief begin....

[Smokin Rock]

personally i really appreciate the grief........one of the only things on this site that keep it entertaining. Bongbong is correct though. we won't allow you to be considered a kneeboarder here in the islands unless you wear flippers.
things to post on here for maximum grief:
1. whats better? quads or tris?
2. why do Aussies love Al Gore?
3. where do you stand on global warming?
4. do you miss George Bush as president?
5. should i wear flippers? (BTW outstanding 1st post!)
6. are there any waves on the Big Island? or just grumpy, smartass old farts?
7. whats the bestest way to get old wax off your kneeboard?
8. is it true the Cliffs Underground secretly wear womens lingerie under their wetsuits?
9. do you find posts that utilize lists annoying?
10. is Capt.Kneemo a real Capt? if so...how many men does he typically have under him?

i could go on but this should get you started

[toofast3]

Hey Hipaipo..... When I first was turned on to this site, I didn`t ride anything over 5-2.The board I rode most was 4-9 and i`m 5-7, 165. Since being on here and learning some things from some of the other guys, I learned that my boards were designed for a curtian type of wave. But I rode them all the time, no matter what the condistion. To get the smaller boards up and going, you have to paddle and kick like hell. Yes I use flippers and proud of it!! You also have to find the right place to be on the board to get it to plane. Like all of us, it`s all about practice. Don`t worry about looking like an azz, there are plenty on here that do that on a daily baises.

[C.P.Odom]

Your board sounds about the right length for starters. Seeing that Hawaiians and Cali boys are not as manly as the Ozzie's and we need all the help we can get catching waves, yes wear flippers and paddle with your arms and legs.
Chooky brings up some good points but we do not want to hijack the FNG's post.

[eqKneelo]

Welcome Brother-

It's best on this site, if you're going to ask for opinions, to ask for photos to back up those opinions.

These are photos of Chayne:
[albumimg]22795[/albumimg]
[albumimg]22679[/albumimg]

Not a bad guy to listen to.

[fooj]

It is also important to understand your place in the UNIVERSE:

Are you a middle aged fella with a belly? (Me)

Are you a flexifreak under thirty? (Troz$Chayno w/pics)

Are you a guy who hocks high quality vodka on the boob tube? (eq)

[eqKneelo]

It is also important to understand your place in the UNIVERSE:

Are you a middle aged fella with a belly? (Me)

Are you a flexifreak under thirty? (Troz$Chayno w/pics)

Are you a guy who hocks high quality vodka on the boob tube? (eq)

DUDE?! THOSE COMMERCIALS HAVE SOCIAL AND CULTURAL SIGNIFICANCE!!!

http://www.slate.com/id/2236836/



Not to mention... no two kneelos may ride the same board/fin/flipper set-up, but every single one of us seems to be a drunk of some sort.
I'm just representing the people.

[Smokin Rock]

[ but every single one of us seems to be a drunk of some sort.
I'm just representing the people.

truer words never spoken
personally i think you're a damn fine salesman Ed....everytime i see you on TV i feel like drinking
though it would seem to be a true man of the people should you not also hock something like Boones Farm or Meisterbrau?

[albert]

Third question- How about those flex spoon kneeboards? I have read somewhat about them, and it seems like they are similar to paipo boards in flotation and the method of catching waves, and kicking back out to the lineup. But if I were to buy one, would I be biting off more than I can chew as a beginner?[/b]

I would say, yes you are biting more than you can chew trying to ride a spoon as a beginner. First of all, they are not cheap, second of all they ride like crap compared to modern equipment (yes... I sad it!). And second of all they are incredibly frustrating to get out to the lineup.

My advice, get something (i.e. borrow) made for someone a bit bigger than yourself and take it out in some easy waves. There are plenty of kneelos around your area, all you have to do is ask.

Hope this helps, the other two questions were answered pretty well but I felt the third one hadnt been answered by the posts to date.

Thanks

[singlefinglide]

I think you will find on this site there will be many different and varied veiws and opinions all based around what surfing background we come from.
After reading your post here is are my thoughts on your questions
First of all consider your age / fitness levels / surfing experience and how you want to surf.
Watch what other KB surfers are doing look at their styles the waves they are riding and what equipment they are using for the area that you live and surf in.
Find the local shaper and ask his advice even if you are only looking at a second hand board at this stage.
After all of that buy a board get even fitter and more flexible within the boundries of what your body can handle pick a bunch of suitable surf spots
for your experience and get out there.
Trial and error after that and you will find your own style and how you want to surf. As for flippers you have been using them up until now keep them but arm paddle use them only for extra thrust stay up on the board to keep it in trim at all times I think you will find after some practice you will be able to arm paddle and kick at the same time this will give you a huge advantage with your paddling speeds. Dont be afraid to ditch them
after you build up your paddling ability there are advantages in board performance without them but in the end it is what suits you the waves and your surfing stlye.
Have fun.

[fooj]

I wonder if we scared HIpaipo away. It wouldn't be the first time.

[kidrock]

I think you will find on this site there will be many different and varied veiws and opinions all based around what surfing background we come from.
After reading your post here is are my thoughts on your questions
First of all consider your age / fitness levels / surfing experience and how you want to surf.
Watch what other KB surfers are doing look at their styles the waves they are riding and what equipment they are using for the area that you live and surf in.
Find the local shaper and ask his advice even if you are only looking at a second hand board at this stage.
After all of that buy a board get even fitter and more flexible within the boundries of what your body can handle pick a bunch of suitable surf spots
for your experience and get out there.
Trial and error after that and you will find your own style and how you want to surf. As for flippers you have been using them up until now keep them but arm paddle use them only for extra thrust stay up on the board to keep it in trim at all times I think you will find after some practice you will be able to arm paddle and kick at the same time this will give you a huge advantage with your paddling speeds. Dont be afraid to ditch them
after you build up your paddling ability there are advantages in board performance without them but in the end it is what suits you the waves and your surfing stlye.
Have fun.

Excellent advice from the Kiwi.

Unless you have aspirations to be The World's Greatest Kneeboarder (a dubious title) or plan on entering the Worlds, it doesn't really matter in the final analysis, except to HAVE FUN.

My advice? You've got a couple of longtime kneeboarders on your island who would probably enjoy showing you the ropes...why don't you give 'em a PM and let them share their experience with you...and above all, HAVE FUN.