{"id":277,"date":"2022-08-09T02:24:33","date_gmt":"2022-08-09T02:24:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/aquaticglee.com\/?p=277"},"modified":"2023-07-27T03:57:24","modified_gmt":"2023-07-27T03:57:24","slug":"kneeboarding-vs-wakeboarding","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/aquaticglee.com\/kneeboarding-vs-wakeboarding\/","title":{"rendered":"Kneeboarding vs Wakeboarding: Which for me?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Among the most popular water sports\nare kneeboarding and wakeboarding which are almost similar yet have their\ndistinctive traits as well. Most people easily transition between the two\nwithout an issue. However, rookies may need to select one to start with or\npursue.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The choice between the two sports depends on your experience on the water and other individualistic issues. For example, if you’re new to the sport and need a sport with less risks, go for kneeboarding since you’re closer to the water surface.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If, however, your aim is to have as much fun as possible and you’re comfortable on the water, go for wakeboarding. Also, kneeboarding is best suited to lakes and other smaller water bodies while wakeboarding can handle waves in the sea and similarly larger bodies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As seen here, your level of expertise on the water and the water body available play major roles in helping you choose what water sport you go for. Other than that, these sports are almost similar to each other.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As a newbie, however, you’re safer starting out with kneeboarding then advancing to wakeboarding then ditching the tow rope afterwards if you please.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Kneeboarding vs Wakeboarding:\nDifferences<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The two sports have a relatively long\nlist of differences even when they’re basically the same thing. They include\nthe following:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. Form <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The most evident difference between them is the form you assume when riding the board. Kneeboarding entails kneeling on the board as you’re pulled by the tow boat while wakeboarding has you standing on the board still being towed by the boat. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Kneeboarding
kneeboarding<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"wakerboarding
wakeboarding<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Also, kneeboarding mostly entails\nfacing forward in the direction of the tow boat. You also hold unto the tow\nrope handle with both hands in kneeboarding. With wakeboarding, you’ll be\nmostly facing sideways and holding unto the tow rope handle with one hand. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

2. Boards<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The kneeboard and the wakeboard are different in shape and size given the difference in the posture of the body.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Kneeboards are long, almost flat and thick to increase their buoyancy while wakeboards are thin, curved upwards and shorter than the kneeboards to allow for easy maneuverability.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Kneeboarding
kneeboarding boards<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"Wakeboarding
Wakeboarding Boards<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Kneeboards are between 5 to 6 feet while a wakeboard ranges between 4 and 5 feet. Generally, the height of a kneeboard is to be about your height for the best control of the board.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Beyond that, the grooves on the boards\nare different. The kneeboard has two wide grooves to accommodate the knees\nwhile the wakeboards have smaller shoe-like grooves for the feet.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

3. Speed<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

While the speed range for both sports\nis 15 to 20 mph, you can go much faster with the wakeboard than with the\nsurfboard. Given also that wakeboarding will often occur in larger water\nbodies, attaining speeds as much 30 mph or even higher is common for\nexperienced surfers.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

4. Difficulty<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Kneeboarding is favored by rookies\nover other water sports such as wakeboarding and surfing owing to being easier\nto learn. The fact that the body is closer to the water means that you can\ncontrol it better and falls are less severe. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Wakeboarding, on the other hand,\npresents another level of difficulty having to control the lighter (and less\nbuoyant) board with your feet on the water at a speed. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

5. Tricks Possible<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

While both kneeboarding and\nwakeboarding have a long list of tricks one can perform, wakeboarding offers\nthe rider a better position to perform the more complex ones far much easier.\nBeing on your knees while attempting some complex tricks is tougher than the\nfreedom afforded by being on your feet.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

6. Ease of Transition to Other Water\nSports <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

While kneeboarding is easier, you’ll\nstill have a major task entering other sports that require standing up and\nletting go of the tow rope. Wakeboarding better prepares you for the the faster\nand more complex water sports than does kneeboarding.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Even with these differences, there\nisn’t a major aspect to completely separate the sports.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Similarities\nBetween Kneeboarding and Wakeboarding<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The sports are similar in the\nfollowing ways:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. Tow Rope<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Both require the rider to be towed by\na tow boat. That means that, unlike surfing, the forward motion is provided by\nthe boat rather than wind or the waves alone. For this reason, you’re quite\nsafe with either sport as there’s also an observer and the tow boat driver with\nyou.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The length, type and size of the tow\nropes in either sport are also similar. You can choose between various handles\nbut they’re also the same for both sports. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

2. Tow Speed<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Both sports use speeds of between 15\nto 20 mph. You can, however, attain faster speeds with wakeboarding once you\nget the hang of it. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The speeds are comfortable for both\nrookies and experts. Wakeboarding can however go as much as 30 mph especially\nfor experts. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

3. Safety<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

For both sports, the safety\nrequirements are the same. These include the following:<\/p>\n\n\n\n