Kneeboarding is a fun and cool way to get started with water sports, especially when you are new to the arena. As fun, as this can sport, can get, you need to prepare for so important factors to consider is the maintenance of the board, and the first thing that comes in that order is “cleaning” the board.
Here in this article, you will find a thorough cleaning guide, followed by some prime tips to follow to maintain a decent life of your kneeboard.
Cleaning the Base of the Kneeboard
- The main cleansing element that is to be used in freshwater. Take a bucket of fresh water and a sponge, or a piece of soft cotton fabric, preferably an old t-shirt.
- Soak the sponge or cloth in the water and wring out the water.
- Use it to wipe all over the kneeboard.
- Leave the kneeboard out in the open space to let it dry.
- Once it is dry, cover it up with a nylon/polyester-made cover.
- Choose a cool-shaded place to store your covered kneeboard. Keep it away from direct sunlight. This can damage the surface and the materials of your kneeboard.
- Check the board occasionally for regular maintenance. Clean it once in a while even if it is not being used. Try to check the condition of the kneeboard every 4-6 weeks.
Waxing Your Board :
Another important step besides cleaning your kneeboard is waxing the board regularly. A lot of riders may ignore this step, but this can exponentially improve the life of your kneeboard. Waxing also helps you with good speed and tackling obstacles while surfing, as well as acts as a preventive coating for any scratches or dents.
While choosing a wax, make sure to pick a water repellent variant of wax. Otherwise, the product will not work effectively and might emulsify instead of acting as a film over your board. Wake wax is a good option in that regard. As you wax the bottom of the board, we highly recommend also waxing on the upper surface or top deck of the board. That way, the board will have good protection against sun damage.
Other Tips to Follow:
- Store the kneeboards out of young children’s and pets’ reach.
- Also, choose the storing place cautiously; make sure the spot is rodent-free and free of any other pest or insect attacks.
- Although your kneeboard will be exposed to a lot of salty water in general, you need to clean the board with fresh water and ensure minimal contact with saltwater after you’ve used it.
- Make sure you keep your board stored in a cool place that does not have too much sun exposure. Otherwise, the material of the board will wear off too quickly. Besides, sunlight will fade the color and surface of the board, which not only will look bad, but also may peel off the surface.
- Do not place it near the opening of any kind of vents. Otherwise, it will be exposed to dust. Even if you are using a protective cover, there are still chances of the kneeboard getting dirty under dust exposure. So it is better to avoid those places altogether.
- Sometimes, using straps might be risky for young kids. Make sure, they do not tie up the strap over their thighs, rather kneel over the straps. After they are well-adjusted with kneeboarding, allow them to tie up the straps gradually.
- One common situation that many faces are that the toenails often cut through the kneeboard’s padding. To avoid this issue, trim your toenails every time you go for kneeboarding. Similarly, your pets might tend to scratch the surface if the kneeboard is left unattended within their reach. Thus, keep the board out of their reach.
Conclusion
If you are unsure of anything regarding the proper maintenance of your kneeboard, you should consult the customer care for the manufacturers to receive the top-notch services needed.