Conference vicki::boats

    
    
    Ok, so I will admit that the reason I started this note is that
    I just went out and bought a knee board.  I got a Hydra Slide
    w/ retractable fins I can't remember the model name right now.
    
    My experience with knee boards is very limited,  a total of three
    previos rides,  the first being at the spring gumball when I 
    thought for sure that the beach start was going to end with a beach
    plant, head first.  But I was wrong is was quite simple,  I still
    have not yet mastered the deep water start, but I getting close.
    
    My first experience with my new toy was not one of complete enjoyment
    in that I rushed home after work thursday to try the new toy.  
    I rounded up a couple of my friends who I usually ski with and we
    headed out.  Well my friend who normally drives while I ski had
    never pulled someone on a knee board and I neglected to tell him
    that you go considerably slower.  In any case he YANKED me off the
    beach with a normal skiing start and accelerated upto about 30+
    mph.   Then because of conditions beyond his control he had to make
    a shrp turn to the left just after the start.  This sent me sling
    slot across the wake at an even greater speed.  Being a expert of
    three previous rides I preceeded to bury the tip of the board upon
    the landing from the unexpected wake jump.  Well anyone who has
    riden a board perviously can atest to the fact that yo do not want
    to do this, since it generally causes your face to become real
    familiar with the surface of the water.  I have never barefooted
    but at the speed I was going I feel like I had the next best thing
    to a bare foot face plant.
    
    Moral of the story: Make sure that YOU tell the driver of the boat
    what you expect them to do, do not assume they know.
    
    I am eagerly wating to explore new avenues of pain end excitment
    with the newest of the toy collection.  I have babbled enough.
    I hope that others of you have had fun experiences as well...
    
    /Mike Smith  

    AYUH! Love Kneeboarding. My brothers and I went out and bought the
    Hydroslide Maxima. It's the yellow one with the retractable fins.
    Those fins really add a lot of control when you want to do the wake
    jumping, but don't try doing 360's with the fins down!! Ouch!...
    None of us have ever tried the beach start, we all do the deep water
    start. The trick about the deep water start, that I noticed, is
    that you have to jump up onto the board in one move! If you try
    to inch your way into position, you're gonna lose it quick! The
    other thing we all do is loosen the strap as much as it will go
    while still fastening to the velcro, bite onto the middle of the
    strap, then as the boat gets you to a planeing position jump up
    onto the board (one move) while dropping the strap out of your mouth.
    This should drop the strap almost directly onto your thighs where
    you can now tighten it as your being towed. None of us had ever
    kneeboarded before but by the end of the first day we were all doing
    360's. All I can say about these boards is that they are "THE BALLS".
    Good luck, and you had an excellent idea for a new notes topic!
    
    marc

    Oh Mike, the fun has just begun!  And yes, planting the tip of the
    board is VERY similar to a barefoot face plant...take it from one
    who knows of both!  :-)
    
    As Marc (.-1) said, the 360 spin is very close at hand.  You'll
    find that the "Magna" (I'm guessing that's the board you have, it's
    the one I have) is a very easy-to-control board and it's fairly
    tough to dig an edge unless you really try.  Thus, on a side-slide,
    180, or 360 it almost turns for you.  Of course, good body position
    is essential, but the board helps A LOT.
    
    And now for the big one (Rob Curtis has one better, but...) the
    helicopter.  I successfully pulled this one off last year but haven't
    tried it this year yet.  After you feel comfortable with jumping
    the wakes (both wakes, that is) you can try this one.  You wrap
    the rope around your waist and hold the handle with the hand furthest
    from the wake, keeping the other hand on the rope in front of you.
    Cut outside the wake (example, the left side of the wake, so the
    handle is in your left hand, rope comes around your waist from right
    to left), then cut hard back toward the wake.  You should be in
    a slight crouch as you cut toward the wake.  As you hit the wake,
    pop up and rotate 360 degrees IN THE AIR.  The key here is to maintain
    a straight back throughout the stunt and turn your head in the
    direction of the spin.  The initial landing is somewhat of a surprise
    since you usually don't see the water till the very last second, but
    hey, that's how it goes.  Then you cruise away, your hand in the
    air and this "no sweat" look on your face.  What a country!  :-)
    
    I mentioned Rob Curtis's "one better" since at the spring gumball
    he tried the wake flip, which I haven't gotten up the nerve to try
    yet.  My cousin tried it and got hammered (nothing broken, just
    a bruised ego).  I'll try it after this year's ski show...I have
    5 other people relying on me to carry them in the pyramid.
    
    Oh yeah, and since you mentioned barefooting, if your buddy tries
    to pull you that fast again, just get yourself into the sitting
    position, plant the feet and 'foot.  No problem!  :-)  Enjoy.
    
    					...Roger...

    Can any body post the steps for deep water start.

    
    re: .4
    
    	The main secret to a successful deepwater kneeboard start is
    stabilizing the board until you are in the kneeling position. This
    is easily accomplished with the forearms.
    
    	Start out laying on the board with hands near the tip of the
    board and forearms on the board parellel to the front edges. Have
    the driver take off *SLOWLY* only about 10 mph is needed.
    
    	Once moving slowly in the lying postion, keep your forearms
    firmly against the board and either sneak your knees up (alternating
    moves of 3-6 inches) or (as previously mention) use one smooth
    motion pulling up both knees at the same time. Once in kneeling
    position strap in and *DO IT*! The main idea, again, in a deep water
    start is to BALANCE the board.

    
    	The trick I use with the strap is to lay it near the tip of
    the board underneath one or both of my elbows,, then it doesn't
    get caught under my knees. I'll have to try the "in teeth" idea.
    
    Rick

    
    
    	I've been trying to do the "back wake flip" which is really
    more like a barrel roll. I've managed to make it somewhere between 3/4
    and a full turn. My problem is lack of a consistant wake pop. I
    can't seem to gaurantee myself that I'll always get good air.
    
    	Any ideas?
    
    Rick

    
    In reponce to advice for dep water starts, I have found that if
    you have the retractable fins on the board, put them down during
    the start.  I personally have found it to keep the board a little
    more stable when you are a beginner at it.  Once you get the hang
    of it this would not be necessary.
    
    Resently my ski club has been doing some GANG knee boarding,  I
    believe  8  at once is the most so far,  looks preety wild seeing
    all those people behind one boat.  Gets pretty wild too when they
    all go from one side to the other, lots of bumping around.  
    They (I was watching) did a three person pyramid,  first time I
    had ever seen it,  looked to be FAIRLY simple,  probably a lot easier
    then the ones that Roger talks about on skis.
    
    Happy boarding,
    Mike Smith
    
    

    
    Here's another type of start for you that I tried after have
    a couple of cold ones !!   
    
    We were sitting around trying to think up interesting ways to commit
    suicide via a kneeboard (for some reason kneeboard just BEG to be
    used in a reckless manner ;^)  ) and low and behold there was a
    dock right there at the cottage that about 3 or 4 feet above the
    water.  Well, not being one to resist a challenge,  up onto the
    dock I went, Bullfrog and all.  I strapped myself in and *tried*
    to get just the right amount of slack into the rope to allow a nice
    snap off the dock, but not an immediate face-plant.
    
    Well, attempt one was just that ... aperfect face plant.  The board
    never left the dock, just me.  Face meet water.
    
    Next attempt was better, but the nose of the board landed first..
    (not the optimal situation).
    
    Another half dozen tries later, SUCCESS !!   The only trouble is,
    now I keep looking for higher things to fly off of !!
    
    A couple of hints:
     
     1)  The water a the end of the dock should be fairly deep (for
         obvious reasons, face plants in water are much more enjoyable
         than into rocks, sand etc..)
    
     2)  Start on a LOW dock if available, the speed of the "launch"
         and the pull of the boat can be reduced, the lower the dock
         is.
    
     3)  The landing is the *most* important aspect of the dock start
    	 the board will want to do anything but stay underneath you!!
    
    The move is relatively easy after the initial success (although
    people who have never seen it think it's pretty impressive)
    
    				Have fun !!
    
    				Gus
    
    
    

    RE: .7
    
    Gang kneeboarding?  Sounds pretty neat...haven't tried that one
    yet.  The 3-man pyramid is neat too...we've done that one before
    and although it is easier than a pyramid on skis it's not to be
    taken lightly...you really need some folks who are stable on the
    boards and a very agile person for the top.  Like on skis, you don't
    want to fall face-first on the tip of a kneeboard.
    
    RE: .8
    
    And now for something still more painful...how about going over
    a ski jump on a kneeboard?  Yes, you read right folks, over a
    competition ski jump on a kneeboard.  Do your knees hurt?  Yup.
    Is this ridiculous?  Maybe.  But hey, as you said the kneeboard
    seems to scream at you to abuse it (and yourself)...so, what the
    hey.  Just like in jumping, make sure the ramp is wet, and practice
    a few times off the edge of the jump, inching your way higher up
    the ramp with each pass.  If your legs hold out, you should make
    the top in 4-5 passes.
    
    On the lighter side, beach starts are a good way to learn kneeboard
    starts too.  The person just straps themselves in while on the beach
    about a foot from the water line, when the rope gets tight, just
    lean back and kick the nose up as the boat pulls away (slowly).
    And VOILA!  You're kneeboarding.  Good idea here is to pick a spot
    on the beach where there are no stones...they tend to add extra
    tunnels to your board which you don't need.  Happy kneeboardin' ...
    
    	    				...Roger...

    
    
    Ski JUMP ????  Sounds great !!  Lead me too one!!
    
    I guess I can think of worse ways to die than having fun on
    the old Bulfrog ;^)  
    
    				Gus
    
    PS  Another thing I have tried, (and probably won't again) is getting
        up to the barefoot status via the kneeboard.  OUCH!
        Needless to say, I'm waiting to have access to a BOOM before
        I try barefoot again !!
    
    

    Anyone have recommendations on what features to look for in a knee
    board and what brands are good?
    
    Nelson
    

    Rob Curtis and I have gone off a pontoon boat on the kneeboard many
    times. We start about three feet from the edge with no slack, the
    driver starts off just like a deep water start, lean back holding 
    the handle low and away you go. We also like to start out off the
    swim step. Get on the board on the step and strap in. Hang onto the
    rope and throw the handle out behind the boat as the driver starts
    out slowly. Spin the tail off the step and reel yourself out to the 
    handle. Once out to the handle the speed can be increased to where you
    like it. When you are done boarding, reel yourself back onto the step.
    We also do this on the trick skis.

    re .10
    There was an article in one of last years Water Ski mags about
    barefooting from a kneeboard. It looked real easy from the photos
    :-)
    
    .jim.

    RE: .10 & .13
    
    In my opinion, the hardest part about footin' off a kneeboard is
    getting out of the water in the sitting position.  The board tends
    to be fairly unstable when you sit on it in deep water.  Otherwise,
    the only trick I've found is that you should try to step off the
    board as soon as you can...since the board is so much shorter than,
    say, a surfboard, it starts to slap pretty quickly.  But you can
    compensate a little by creeping up as close to the front of the
    board as possible (without burying the nose), not that you have
    a whole lot pf board to creep up on in the first place.
    
    					...Roger...

    
    Re: .12
    
    	Chuck... I tried the "off the swim platform" kneeboard start
    this weekend. It's great... a real head turner also!!  I had a 
    little trouble the second time hanging onto the rope, though...
    BTW: In case it isn't obvious this is a trick only for gloved
    hands!!
    
    Thanks...
    
    Re: .3
    
    	Hey ...Rog... I did a helicopter by accident! I was trying
    to do the wake flip again and when I turned my body the wrong way
    (obviously) at the wake I ended up doing a perfect helicopter except
    for the fact that I wasn't wrapped so there I was facing the transom
    ready to go *without* the rope. Have to plan for it next time!
    
    Rick

    Re: .15
    	Rick... It helps to have a thicker Trick rope, 3/8 inch or so
    instead of the standard 1/4 inch thick slalom rope for the 
    "off the platform" start. It is much easier to hang on to when 
    reeling yourself out.


    Chuck

                 THERE IS A KNEE BOARD ROPE
    
    HEY I HAVE BEEN RIDING THE BOARD FOR TWO SEASONS . THIS YEAR
    I BOUGHT A KNEEBOARD ROPE IT IS 60' LONG WITH A LOT OF BRAIDING
    NEAR THE HANDLE TO GRAB FOR THE HELICOPTER AND ALSO  YOU ARE BOARDING
    WITH MORE THAN ONE THIS HELPS WHEN YOU FALL. YOU DON'T HAVE TO STOP
    THE OTHER PERSON IN ORDER TO GET BACK UPJUST HAVE THE DRIVER COME
    BY SLOW AND GAR THE ROPE .WHEN YOU GET CLOSE TO THE HANDLE THE BRAIDING
    IS EASY TO HOLD TILL YOU GET THE HANDLE. I HAVE A CONNELY BOARD
    THATDOES NOT HAVE FINS BUT THIS BOARD HAS GREAT CONTROL AND ALSO
    MAKES A GREAT SPRAY WHEN TWO PEOPLE ARE BATTLING IT OUT ON THE WATER.
    
    RICHARD

           
     
     Its kind of fun to team up with a kneeboarder, course he gets
    the short rope :>).  Lately we've been pairing up, one person
    on the kneeboard with the shorter rope, I use the tricks and
    take the longer rope.  We'll both cross over back and forth,
    its fun to do this when we're both tricking/kneeboarding backwards.
    The trick/kneeboard speeds are compatible also, which works out 
    well.

    Sometimes we'll both get in the reverse position and have a
    conversation....its great fun...I don't know why, but it is!

Jeanne

   

          AT LAST!!!!!!!   I have been searching high and low for a
    conference on waterskiing; I tried the sports conference but they
    are mostly football, basketball, baseball, ect.  
         Anyway, it's great to find *somebody* that kneeboards beside
    me!!!  
         I've noticed a lot of good info. from those of you that offer
    tips and I'm looking forward to trying some of the tricks out
    (hopefully this weekend!!).  I like to make a suggestion to all
    of you that are interested in our sport;  WATERSKI MAGAZINE (sp?).
         It has been a valuable source of info. and the photography
    is *EXCELLANT*!!!!!
    
         As for me, I've been boardin' for about 3 years now and have
    have enjoyed every minute of it!!  Looking forward to some interesting
    conversation and new ideas for tricks!!!!!
    
                                                    Thanks,
    
                                                    scott 
                                                               

    
    
    
    	So, is there anyone else out there standing on their knee board?
     I started late last summer but my problem is I lose it when I try
     to get back into the center of the wake.
    
    
    mark
    
    

    I've found standing on a kneeboard kind of a pain.  It didn't seem very
    stable.  If you really want to do some fancy stuff you might look into
    getting a Skurfer.  They have foot straps like a wind surfer and they're
    more narrow and longer than a kneeboard.  I've never tried one, but they
    look pretty fun.  I hear they're tough to get up on, but I used to say
    that about a slalom ski until I caught the trick!  :-)
    
    					...Roger...

    I stand on mine all the time.  Crossing the wakes is no problem
    if you do it right.  Treat it like you are riding on trick skiis.
    Keep your knees bent, weight on your toes, you know all that
    stuff.  Also, place your feet right on the very front of the 
    pad where your knees would normally be.
    
    I've tried and tried to turn around on it while standing up
    but have had no luck.
    
    I sometimes ride it with one foot forward and one foot in
    back, like a surf board, but you can crash real easy this way.
    
    Also, if you have a board with fins on it, put the fins down.
    It's more stable this way, especially when in surf mode.
    
    Rob
    
    

    	Now that summer '89 is here, let's get this going again!  I can
    identify with all the tricks mentioned here, except for the parts about
    actually doing the tricks right! :-)  My board of choice is the Black
    Magic.  It's a big, stable board and with the permanent fins, it makes
    for great stability and that cutting edge.  Another thing we've tried
    is jumping over your friend (just make sure that it's a *really* good
    friend :-).  All you need is a wake that gives you quick air, and a
    small friend.  That's cool if you're good enough *not* to kill your
    friends.  
    	Any tips on the front or back flips?  I find it really hard to get
    all the way around either way.  Usually I end up with my tip underwater
    or I land on my back.  How about the sideways thing?  Jumping with a
    flip to either side?  Any help would be appreciated.  Thanks.
    
    Steve

      Well, it's been over two years since the last reply to this note, so
    here goes...
      I think I'm in the market for a kneeboard.  My wife was thinking what
    a nice family Christmas gift a kneeboard would be (in addition to all
    the other things...), and since the technology has been changing
    rapidly over the past couple of years, I got lots-o-questions:
    
    What kind should we get?  (Well, maybe only one question  :^)
    
    It will be used by my wife, myself, 10 yr old daughter, and 8 yr old
    son.  It should be stable/bouyant for the kids, but capable of carving
    turns for me and the wife.  Should have kneewells, ('cause they look
    comfy) and be somewhat durable ('cause I'm *real* hard on my equipment
    and don't replace it as often as I should).
    
    Should I go with the retractable fins, or no fins?  (2nd question)
    
    One of the catalogues (Bart's or Ski Limited) had one that caught my
    eye;  A Kidder Redline (no fins) with "slight cosmetic blemishes" for
    $119.  Heck, since I'll be doing "major cosmetic blemishes" to it, I
    mindswell start of with "slight cosmetic blemishes" and save a few
    bucks.   I don't need a $300 AKBA approved top-o-the-line board, so a
    general purpose, somewhat performance model around $150 should fit the
    bill...
    
    Any comments/recommendations?
    
    Doug
    
    P.S.: I measured the chimney and Santa will need to use the DOOR for
          this one..

I bought a new one at the beginning of summer to replace a 6 yr old Hydroslide.
The features that I cared about in selecting a new one were a 3 inch strap
(they all have them now), a comfortable pad to absorb the jump landings, and
a reasonable price.

My 9 yr old son and I have been been quite happy with it. It has retractable
fins, though I don't use them much as I use the board mainly for tricks.
The next model down doesn't have the fins, but this model has a better pad.
The pad makes a big difference, particulary in supporting the ankles.
If you do much jumping of any type, I would suggest that you get one that
has plenty of support under the ankles.

Dave

        I agree with -1....great all-round board.  But, if you decide to
    try something radical, H.O. (i think) has a new board that may already
    be on the market.  It's made of various composite materials,
    lightweight and it's only 1 1/2" thick!!!!  Not a very boyant (sp?) board,
    but can you imagine the slicing you could do with this thing!!
    
                                                    Capt. Scott

re         <<< Note 75.26 by RAVEN1::PINION "Hard Drinking Calypso Poet" >>>

>        I agree with -1....great all-round board.  But, if you decide to
>    try something radical, H.O. (i think) has a new board that may already
>    be on the market.  It's made of various composite materials,
>    lightweight and it's only 1 1/2" thick!!!!  Not a very boyant (sp?) board,
>    but can you imagine the slicing you could do with this thing!!

	Its on the market alright.  Its in stock too...  at a dealer 
near (not too far from) the originator of the base note.  It has a 
special wedge shaped shin cushion too, for those hard landings (OUCH !)

	Reg (Nah, but the kids might (collectively) find one under the tree)

          Speaking of ramps, I'd like to attempt to take a kneeboard over a
    ramp similiar to a barefoot ramp.  Something just about 2 feet off the
    water maybe covered in Teflon or some other slippery surface.  What
    would happen?  Faceplant on the ramp?  I seen friends slide up on the
    beach and stay strapped on the board with no problems, but I've also
    seen myself bite the beach in a big way!  Anyone ever attempt such
    foolishness? :-)
    
                                                       Capt. Scott
                    

RE: .29

Uh, well yeah, sort of.  Going over a jump ramp is really quite easy.  You just
have to keep your weight *slightly* back, which is what you normally do when
you're just riding anyway.  The problem is that you're never ready for the change
in surface characteristics.  The same thing happens when going over a jump on
skis.  You say to yourself, "OK, the jump is gonna slow down my skis."  WRONG!
It's faster on the jump than on the water.  So you have to stay *over* your skis.
On a kneeboard you tend to get pulled forward, so you want to be leaning back a
little. 

If you have a ski jump ramp, try it by going only 1/4 the way up the ramp, and
off the edge.  It's pretty fun, but I can tell you that landing off the 5-1/2'
ramp is no picnic for the old knees and ankles!  :-)  

...Roger...

    YO,KLEINM,
    
    First - please unlock your caps key
    Second- Your advice to Roger (I assume your referring to .9 since .30
    is written after .28), is *without merit*.  He's not *advising* people
    to go out and try this, he's just informing people that there's more to
    do on a kneeboard than follow the boat.  If you've ever skied with
    Roger (the veteran show-skier that he is) you would know that he's not
    gonna go out a try something really stupid without practice and
    planning.  Consequently, he's an excellent teacher, be it barefoot,
    jump, or watever with a step-by-step approach to the learning process.
    Personally, I'd rather hear about "CRAZY STUNTS", that way I can decide
    for myself if I want to try them or not.
    ....Or, did you just forget your smiley_face :^)  :^)
    
    Back to the topic at hand;  Should I get retractable fins, or not??
    
    Doug

re                 <<< Note 75.31 by TOTH::WHYNOT "Malibu Skier" >>>
>                         -< In defense of a friend... >-

>    Second- Your advice to Roger (I assume your referring to .9 since .30
>    is written after .28), is *without merit*.  He's not *advising* people
>    to go out and try this, he's just informing people that there's more to
>    do on a kneeboard than follow the boat.  If you've ever skied with
>    Roger (the veteran show-skier that he is) you would know that he's not
>    gonna go out a try something really stupid without practice and
>    planning.  Consequently, he's an excellent teacher, be it barefoot,
>    jump, or watever with a step-by-step approach to the learning process.

	I can attest to THAT !   Him and his buddy actually got ME to 
go over the jump.  Helmet, step by step instruction, safety conscious, 
all that.  Confidence inspiring too, I actually believed that I might 
land on the skis - Oh well, next year I ski away from one (-:

	.....and yes, its all too natural to lean back too far as you 
get to the last couple of feet from the ramp.  I intellectualized it 
right up to the last couple of milliseconds, weight on the balls of 
the feet, lean into it, right, I gottit....  then the mid air back 
flip  WOW !  Lets try that again ???

>    Personally, I'd rather hear about "CRAZY STUNTS", that way I can decide
>    for myself if I want to try them or not.

	Yep, me too - just wish I could try them one video frame at a 
	time (-:
	
BTW, how are the "crazy guys (& gals)" celebrating the full Beaver 
moon tonight ?
    
>    Back to the topic at hand;  Should I get retractable fins, or not??

	My friend Wendy sez NO.  No to fins in general, they're only 
good for first time starts, after that you can't turn or do anything 
very much with them down, and they always seem to come down when you 
least want them to (the fins).

	Reg	{always believes what Wendy sez}

    The new stuff,
    
    HO was the first to come out with a thin profile kneeboard,I rode
    it and loved it for tricking,but definately not for any kinda 
    slalom. Kidder for '92 is coming out with a version of this
    thin board themselves,they call it the PRO LINK. 
    
    it looks quite hot and if ya want one you should be able to kneel
    down on one for under $250. Thats about 30% off retail.
    
    ski ya later
    
    mattrix
    

Aw, gee thanks, guys.  You shouldn't have ... well, maybe a little!  :-)

But in keeping with my "step-by-step" philosophy, I always spend time "reasoning
out" the stunts I do before getting out on the water.  It's a fool who says "I
shouldn't have done it *that* way" while lying in bed with his (her) leg propped
up.  I say, if there's someone out there who's done it, ask them first.  If they
say to you "You won't know until you try" then find someone else.  Practice the
motions on land ... you'll be glad you did.

Now, as far as fins on kneeboards, I'd probably go for a board without them.  I
agree with the previous notions that the fins are really only useful for
beginners, and once you master the forces and balance, the fins don't buy you
anything.

Besides, getting one without fins might just save you $20 ... enough to buy a new
pair of gloves!  :-)

...Roger...

P.S.  Yeah, Reg, we'll have you "head over heels" rather than "heels over head"
      next year!  :-)  Jumping is like most other things in water skiing ... you
      do it right once and you'll say, "OH, *THAT'S* HOW YOU DO IT!  I GET IT
      NOW!"  Then you'll have a reference point for all future crashes. :-)

    I'm talking about something like jumping a barefoot ramp....anyone with
    experience?
    
                                                     Capt. Scott

    I haven't jumped a kneeboard specifically over a *barefoot* ramp, but I
    don't see much difference between that and going, say, 1/4 the way up a
    ski jump ramp and going off the side.  At that point you're about 18"
    off the water, which is exactly the height of a barefoot jump ramp.
    
    At any rate, my earlier response applies.  Lean back slightly, and try
    "popping" just before you hit the base of the ramp (keeping your
    shoulders back slightly).  By "popping" I mean crunch down on the board
    as you make your approach, then straighten out your back just before
    the tip of the board hits the base of the jump.  You'll actually find
    that this gives you better control on the ramp (as it does on skis
    also).
    
    ...Roger...

    RE: -1,
    
        Sorry, I wasn't being too specific...the reason I'm so interested
    in a barefoot ramp is because I don't have access to a regular ramp 
    and I think I could build a barefoot ramp cheaper.  Thanks for the 
    pointers and I'll give it a try in the spring if I get a ramp built. 
    c-ya!
    
                                                         Capt. Scott

      Well, I bought a kneeboard over the weekend.  I just went in to
    "look" at a few different boards, but was offered a deal that I
    couldn't pass up.  I bought a Connelly Force for $100.  I don't know
    the details of it's life, it was either a demo or somebody returned it,
    but it was the only one, and he wanted it "out" before the '92s came in
    which is soon.  If it was a demo, it's in real good shape, and has a
    new pad and strap.  Also splurged and got a matching case for 35 bucks.
    
      Thanks everyone for their inputs and suggestions. 
    
      Doug

    
    
    EeeeeeeeeeeeYoooooowwwwwweeeeeeee!
    
    That's my consolodated description of the ride I took last night
    on the new Kidder "Link" kneeboard. This board is constructed like
    a ski and it *really* flys! Every move on it can be described as
    "more faster, more better, more farther". The response the Kidder
    provides is 10 fold when compared to a "standard" hollow plastic
    kneeboard, in every aspect of kneeboarding. Jumping, cutting,
    spinning and I would assume any other trick your sick little head
    can think of.
    
    I NEED one!
    
    Rick

    Kinda like the diff. between the hyperlites and the ol' skurfers!
    I rode a prototype last season and it was definately a better board.
    
    Just when ya thought ya had everything you always wanted.  :-)
    
    crash

    >          <<< Note 75.40 by KAHALA::SUTER "Never too Hot!" >>>
    >                     -< New version of old toys! >-
    >
    >
    >EeeeeeeeeeeeYoooooowwwwwweeeeeeee!
    >
    >That's my consolodated description of the ride I took last night
    >on the new Kidder "Link" kneeboard. This board is constructed like
    >a ski and it *really* flys! Every move on it can be described as
    >"more faster, more better, more farther". The response the Kidder
    >provides is 10 fold when compared to a "standard" hollow plastic
    >kneeboard, in every aspect of kneeboarding. Jumping, cutting,
    >spinning and I would assume any other trick your sick little head
    >can think of.
    >
    >I NEED one!
    >
    >Rick

    
    	Gee, I wrote that rave review and never replied that I actually
    own a Kidder Pro-Link kneeboard now! For Shame!~ BTW: It's still
    just as impressive as the first time I rode one...
    
    	Just a little update on the stunts I've managed lately...
    
    	Some planned, successful helicopters or ariel 360s. Sure is
    nice to hit those right... 
    
    	And while comtemplating this small plastic shower chair of my
    father's I thought... "Gee, I bet I could ride on that chair with
    it strapped to my kneeboard..." Well... guess what... The chair
    easily "attached" to the kneeboard using the strap. My first thought
    for a start was a dock start, but I soon realized that I couldn't
    get enough weight towards the back of the board to avoid a nasty
    faceplant. So I went to a deepwater. It was no easy task getting 
    into the chair and managing to keep both the kneeboard and the chair
    balanced underneath me, but after some aquatic dancing I did manage
    to keep it balanced long enough for the driver to begin pulling me
    and off I went.
    
    
    Rick

    We just put our new SeaRay 20' in the water this weekend, so now I'm
    in the market for toys.  I've never been on a kneeboard, but would like
    to get one.  What should I get? or features to look for?  This note is
    very old and these things have changed quite a bit.
    
    It will be for me and my friends as well as my 10 yr old daughter. 
    Where we are, we will ONLY be able to do deep water starts.  The thin
    nuetral bouyance boards look nice for that, but probably want something
    that is somewhat forgiving since we are new at this.
    
    Thanks,
    Mark
    

    Mark,
    
     As a rank amatuer 'boarder I can recommend 2 things:
    
     - good padding on top of the board where your knees sit
     - a good strap that goes over your knees with lots of velcro to
       ease taking it on and off
    
    Beyond that it is personal preference. some boards have optional fins
    that go down. I ski regularly with a guy who has a room full of
    trophies from boarding. He skiis the slamom course @22' off and 18mph
    on a board with no fins. He also tricks ( including standup tricks ).
    He swaps boards as the mood strikes him.
    
    Have a blast!
    
     Chuck
    

>     - good padding on top of the board where your knees sit
>     - a good strap that goes over your knees with lots of velcro to
>       ease taking it on and off

    I'll add to that.  I've got one that does not have the knee wells.
    It's not the knees themselves that get sore, but your ankles.  I
    would definitely not recommend a board without the knee wells.

    They are a lot of fun, and very easy to use.  I wouldn't worry too
    much about deep water starts.

    George

    Thanks.
    
    Mark,