Updated 
Kneeboarding overall is a great water sport for beginners. Since you are on your knees, it is much easier to find your balance and less dangerous when you fall, and trust us. You will fall. If it’s your first time on a board, the last thing you want to be thinking about is the quality of your board, so we’ve done the research and taken care of that concern for you. We came up with what we believe to be the best kneeboards for beginners.
Of course, there were several factors to consider and many features to be ironed over before our final decisions were made. Ultimately, being in the best position to learn how to balance and learn the proper techniques are the key be spending more time riding on the water than falling into the water. The process we used to get to our list and results were determined by the construction method used to make the board and what it was made out of.
The next factors we surfed through were the shape of the board, the “rocker” on the board, whether it had fins or lock straps, and whether or not the value, quality, and popularity of the board were all excellent.
The final step was to take all of that information and select the best kneeboards for beginners by determining which of them were better considering all the attributes explained further below.
Contents
The Best Kneeboards for Beginners – Review & Guide 2022
Kneeboarding is a fun watersport that anyone of any skill level or age can enjoy. It requires less physical strength than wakeboarding, water-skiing, and other boat-towed activities because of the ride position on the board. However, when you are just starting to learn, you’ll need the best kneeboard if you want to get the most out of your time on the water and even try some tricks. Kneeboarding is simple to learn—just put on your life vest and you’re ready to go!
Keep on reading to find the factors considered for our review of the best kneeboards for beginners.
Affordable Price
Our target price was at a max of roughly about $180 to as low as under $110. Ultimately, the boards we selected aren’t that varied in price, so the price isn’t truly the most important issue when it comes to buying a beginner a kneeboard. Our choices were ultimately selected on the other features rather than on the price.
The Board’s Shape
Kneeboards are primarily made from two different materials: fiberglass and plastic. Our advice as a kneeboarding rookie is to stick with plastic in the beginning. Fiberglass boards are stiffer with sharper edges which allows the board to more easily perform tricks.
These boards are also more durable, so a more experienced rider is more appropriate for them. Plastic boards are softer. They are more buoyant and they have wider edges which make them easier to control. You’ll thank us for that later.
Other Features Included in the Board
For a kneeboard, this includes the “rocker” which is the end of the board from tip to tail. The quality of the rocker will give the new rider the necessary help in the transition up and off the boat wake as well as helping the kneeboard spoon into the water for softer landings.
Some more advanced kneeboards can feature a double lock strap to allow the rider to hold more tightly with two hands instead of one, however; these should not be used on plastic boards, so this is a non-factor.
We have also taken notice of retractable fins for the beginning as your get your balance on the board and get used to the waves.
Our Decision
This one was rough, but when the final decision was made, it was the SereneLife Thunder Wave Kneeboard that was our favorite for a beginning rider. The runner-up was the Xspec Kneeboard which is just as good of a kneeboard and another great option. All the kneeboards on our list are of high quality and perfect choices for beginners. Here is our list of the best kneeboards for beginners.
The Best Kneeboards for Beginners
1: SereneLife Thunder Wave Kneeboard
The SereneLife Thunder Wave Kneeboard is a perfect choice for beginners and an all-around board not only for kneeboarding but also for waterboarding, kneeling boogie boarding, and knee surfing when at the lake, at the beach, or out on a rushing river. Thunder Wave kneeboard is specially designed with a “hook” to hold the tow rope handle while you’re getting started. Made out of corrosion-proof and marine-grade materials, the boogie surfboard is strong enough to be used by the pros and beginners alike!
This board has a floating and stable platform base, comfortable form-fitting knee slots for all ages and weighs a little under 9 lbs which will keep you from getting bogged down. Built with an adjustable strap, making it is the ideal waterboard for boat activities. The 50 x 20-inch deck size is ideal for both adults and children, and the 4.5-inch thickness ensures that it is stable and buoyant.
The twin tip design ensures that you have a smooth ride every time. The 3” padded strap and the comfort molded flex pad ensure that you stay comfortable providing soft landings and a secure fit. This is one of the best kneeboards for beginners you can find at a reasonable price.
SereneLife Thunder Wave weighs less than 9 pounds and is the ideal kneeboard to acquire if you want a lightweight model that you can take anywhere. At the same time, it is constructed with marine-grade materials, which ensures that the construction quality is outstanding.
The focus of this kneeboard is on stability. As a result, it is ideal for children and beginners. The strap secures you in place, while the thick foam pad ensures your comfort during the ride.
Length: 50 inches
Width: 20 inches
Thickness: 4.5 inches
Weight: 9 pounds
Padding: Hard Foam
Fins: No
>>> See Specifications & Read Customer Reviews on Amazon! <<<
2: Xspec Kneeboard with Hook Strap
On the second spot is the Xspec Kneeboard with Hook Strap. At the sale price of around $140, this kneeboard is an absolute steal if you’re interested in learning to kneeboard over the summer. It is so well suited for beginning kneeboarders and also highly useful for those same riders as they become more advanced than you’ll be able to create great memories on the board and consider it the kneeboard that keeps on giving. It’s a perfect kneeboard for knee surfing, boating, waterboarding, kneeling suitable for kids, teens, and adults.
The Xspec kneeboard combines water ski and wakeboard design elements for exceptional performance whether you’re surfing in the ocean, lake, or river. The wakeboard style and cupped molded fins provide a smooth, easy ride while still allowing for spin-type tricks.
The extremely durable EVA foam pad with deep knee wells and a 3″ padded adjustable belt provides comfort for softer landings while maneuvering and performing tricks. Integrated hook holds the tow rope handle during starts, allowing your hands to be free to position and secure your knees.
Featuring strengthened knee strap brackets and a high-density polyurethane exterior and foam-filled interior for added strength, comfort, and longevity. This kneeboard is ideal for most older children, teens, and adults. This board is for you if you’re a novice just starting started, have some experience and are at the intermediate level, or are a pro who can do all kinds of stunts.
It weighs less than 11 pounds and has dimensions of 50″ (L) x 20″ (W) x 4.5″ (thickness) (approx.). Weight Capacity: 250 lbs. Small enough to fit in a vehicle trunk or a boat box. It makes it a breeze to carry it into the water.
With the excellent combination of all these features along with the ease for new kneeboarders, this is the perfect board at an extremely affordable price of around $160 to learn to kneeboard with and continue using until you can become a much more advanced rider with the Xspec Kneeboard.
Features & Specifications:
- Quad Molded Fins
- Adjustable 3″ Padded Knee Strap for Added Safety and Security
- Marine-Grade Water-Resistant and Corrosion-Resistant construction for enhanced performance
- High-Impact Durable Plastic Housing
- Soft Cushion for Added Comfort
- Floating & Stable Platform Base
- Integrated Easy-Start Aquatic Hook
- Durable Rotomolded Shell with EPS Core
>>> See Specifications & Read Customer Reviews on Amazon! <<<
3: O’Brien Radica Kneeboard
The O’Brien Radica Kneeboard was a close runner-up. This board has found a way to use the thrills of water sports to its full potential by creating this kneeboard. A board of ultimate performance. It is equipped with its 3/4″ EVA Pad, an integrated hook, a variable beveled edge along with quad molded finds, and an adjustable strap. At the same price of around $120 as our winner, it is just as affordable while being just as thrilling.
The board was greatly inspired by water skiing which puts it a little lower to maximize the stability and edge-to-edge transitions you’ll be craving once you learn how to ride the board. This is arguably the more excited board on our list. If you’re a beginner looking for something more fun and furious then this is a great pick.
>>> See Specifications & Read Customer Reviews on Amazon! <<<
4: HO Electron Kneeboard
The HO Electron Kneeboard was everything a beginner needs to be able to ride. It is equipped with diamond tips and tails for quick release off the wake and effortless spin initiation and also molded fins for a consistent ride with maximum control.
It also has a much larger orthotic pad than the other options for a comfortable ride if that is your forte. The molded-in handle hook and power lock strap allows riding all day and yet make this another great kneeboard for a beginner just trying to keep their hair from getting wet surfing on the waves.
The downside is the increase in price from the previous board. At a sale price of around $160, this kneeboard is a tad bit more expensive, but a few bucks aren’t something you’re going to be concerned with once you’ve got this quality board under your knees.
>>> See Specifications & Read Customer Reviews on Amazon! <<<
5: Leader Accessories Kneeboard
The Leader Accessories Kneeboard is a perfect choice for beginners as it allows them to get up the first time, every time thanks to its molded-in hook. This Kneeboard also has a beveled edge for fast cuts and sits low in the water for stability that works well for any skill level.
The extremely durable 3/4″ EVA foam padding provides comfort and stability while the heavy duty adjustable 3″ padded strap gives riders superb control during every trick and maneuver. It makes the rider feel as comfortable as expected while bouncing around on his knees.
Expert riders can try any trick or maneuver with superb control with an EVA pad with deep knee wells and a 3″ padded belt.
This is one more great kneeboard for a beginner at a reasonable price.
>>> See Specifications & Read Customer Reviews on Amazon! <<<
Also Read:
Thank you for reading our guide on the best kneeboards for beginners and good luck with your choice. Feel free to drop a question, or comment and let us know what you thought of our selections and yours.
If you liked what you read, don’t forget to share it. It helps us a lot.
Stay tuned for more surf reviews. Sign-up for our newsletter!
Leave a Comment