Kneeboarding! A perfect choice for someone who wants to slide slow and steady into the world of watersports. There are lots of top product buying guides for beginners into kneeboarding, but what about the size?
No matter which sport you are trying out, it’s important to pick the right sized equipment. It’s necessary not only for your safety, but you’ll find that the right kneeboard will also help you enjoy the sport a lot more.
If you’ve been looking for a kneeboard size chart, you’ve come to the right place. In today’s blog post we’re going to talk about picking the right sized kneeboard from various brands, and also give you some well sought-after kneeboarding tips. Read on to know more!
General Sizing Guide :
Let’s face it. If you’re a seasoned kneeboarder, you would need to just look at a kneeboard to know if it’s your size or not. However, a beginner wouldn’t have that luxury and would be struggling and resigning themselves to some trial-and-error before finding a kneeboard that suits them well.
There are some kneeboards that are suitable for a large range of people. For example, if a recreational kneeboard is light and has adjustable knee straps, it can be used by beginner children as well as seasoned adults.
If you’re looking for a competitive kneeboard, you will notice that it is noticeably thinner than a recreational kneeboard. They’re also somewhat lighter and tend to have sharper edges.
It’s best to find boards that are a little shorter in length than you are in height. Extra length wouldn’t really help, neither would extra thickness or width. Additionally, while a foam interior would help a beginner stay afloat, it would also make your moves slow and awkward.
While trying to buy a kneeboard, if it meets all your requirements (budget, material, style, type, rocker, fins, etc.), then I’d suggest looking at that exact brand’s size charts. In the next section, we’re going to look at a few popular brand’s size charts.
O’Brien Kneeboard Size Guide :
O’Brien kneeboards are divided broadly into two categories, shaped and slalom. When it comes to the shaped version, there’s only one-speed range and that is 26-30 MPH.
Within this speed range, if you weigh under 180 lbs, the kneeboard that’s 65″-66″ would be suitable for you. Notch it up to 210 lbs, and you can comfortably use the kneeboard that’s 67″-68″ long. If you’re over 210 lbs, it’s best to pick the 68″-69″ board.
On the other hand, slalom kneeboards have a variety of speed ranges. There’s 26-30 MPH, 30-34 MPH, and 34-36 MPH. However, the length of the kneeboard you should pick depends on your weight, not the speed.
If your weight is under 100 lbs, you should pick the 59″ kneeboard. Just like in the case of shaped kneeboards, the length of the board goes up with your weight.
If your weight is somewhere in the middle, such as 115-140 lbs, you should go for the 61″-66″ board. And if you’re over 200lbs, pick the 68″-69″ ones.
If you’re having trouble converting your weight from kgs to lbs, remember that 1lb is approximately 0.45 kgs. If you’re still not sure about it, then it’s best to pick a longer board than a shorter one.
Jobe kneeboard Size Guide :
Jobe features quite a few types and styles of kneeboards. You might also take fancy on a specific design they have.
For the convenience of users, Jobe tends to specify kneeboards for beginners and professionals. Beginner kneeboards, such as the Job Streak, tend to have softer and wider edges. They’re also sized to be suitable for young learners.
If you’re looking for something advanced, Jobe’s competitive kneeboards might strike your fancy. One of them is the Jobe Stage. These weigh much less than beginner-level kneeboards and are also thinner in profile. While a beginner might have trouble controlling them, a pro would find them easier to perform tricks with.
If you’re looking for something in between, there are options as well, such as the Jobe Prophecy.
Kneeboarding Tips :
- While you’re kneeboarding, make sure to practice good posture. Many people go into kneeboarding thinking it will be hard on their knees, but in reality, it will put pressure on your back and neck. Aside from posture, you should also stretch adequately to keep your back and neck flexible and pain-free.
- Here’s a tip that you might not know: do not put on the knee strap if you’re a beginner. Most people think it keeps them more secure. But if you’re a newbie or very young, the knee strap will feel restrictive and will only cause panic in case of a fall. It’s best to practice without it for some time.
- Keep your kneeboard and its accessories in good condition. Make sure the kneeboard doesn’t have any protrusions that could potentially catch on your skin and cause an injury. There’s always the risk of something being broken, so check all your equipment before you go anywhere near the water.
- Make sure to always wear some sort of flotation device to keep you safe in the event of a fall. Make sure the floatation fits you well, otherwise it will slip along your body awkwardly and cause more harm than good.
- Remember, these size charts serve at best as rudimentary guides. You’d have to pick your kneeboard based not only on your weight but also depending on the volume of the board. Your skill level also plays a part in determining which board will be good for you.
Conclusion:
I hope the pointers I’ve given in this blog post will help in your search for the perfect kneeboard. If you’re still not sure, I’ve got a couple of last pieces of advice. Sometimes, the simplest solution is the best solution, so don’t lose hope!
If you’re buying online, you can also take a quick look at the reviews to check if it’s going to suit someone of your age, height, and body weight. On the other hand, if you’re buying from a store, the best way to go would be to get a recommendation from the store employees.