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I need some advice. It's been a LONG time since I went knee boarding, and they have changed quite a bit. My 12yo son wants to try it this year, graduating from the tube. Any thoughts on what brand, differences, for a beginner 12yo? I assume we don't need he bells and whistles, but I see a lot of them have a hook at the front. I assume that hooks the rope handle on as you try and get up? Some are retractable, some not? I know we don't need the retractable fins...gimme some info if you can...and anyplace you know of with good deals.

We are spending a week at Smith Mt lake Va this summer, and that will be the proving grounds!

Thanks.

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We went to Academy for my sons wake board and bought what they had for $149. I didn't want to spend more than that and he not like wake boarding afterall. Come to find out he's an expert and loves it.

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Knee boards and wake boards are very different. Any knee board will work.

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The "gist" of my statement above was to not buy something expensive for the first kneeboard in case the kid turns out to not like kneeboarding.

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Thanks for the input. I plan on a "reasonably" priced beginner kneeboard, but they still have a few options. I guess I'll get one with the front hook for the handle. When I learned, you held on then shimmied yourself up...a couple hundre first attempts and I had it. I guess the hook may make it 99 first attempts!

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gacto,
looks like about $100 for a kneeboard (@ Overtons). it's been about 10 years since I bought my last one, which doesn't have a "cheat hook" or retractable fins. I learned around the same age as your son, so almost 20 years ago, and I really believe not having the hook and using the "shimmy" method is the only way to learn! I'd also advise looking at a used sporting goods store (Play It Again Sports down here), which usually have nice watersports stuff at a huge discount.

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I haven't been on one for a good while but used to ride almost every weekend. The cheat hook doesn't seem to cost anything extra then ones without so might as well get it just incase. Then at least you have it one way or the other. And at 12 he should have no problem pulling hisself up. Fins are worthless IMO. They break and are only good for hard turns. Not having fins makes the board more forgiving to me. IE the board can go sideways and doesnt dig. A good wide strap is nice to have. It doesn't dig into your legs if you do alot of wake jumping. Also thick padding is nice to have so your legs dont get sore from sitting on them. Sqaured off noses are more geared to tricks like front flips so rounded or not probably wont matter for a begineer. Pawn shops may have some for sale cheap if you dont want to spend a lot of money. or Craigslist.

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My son learned how to do it without a cleat on the kneeboard during his third try.....he was barely 4 years old. So if my then 4 y/o could do it in three tries, your 12 y/o should be able to learn it easily as well.

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Check Craigslist - that's where I got our first knee-board for $20. - we now have 3 knee-boards and just added two wakeboards. My kids were knee-board fanatics until the tried the wakeboard - know the knee-board doesn't see as much use.

As far as the hook - none of mine have them - I wouldn't want to use them - if you fall off when trying to get up the board stays with the boat - not the rider - I like them having the board with them when they fall.

If you have a choice - no fins - My kids love to do 360's, slides and ride backwards. With fins you cannot do this - of course you can if they are retractable. The only time my son wants fins is when he is trying to cut hard to do a big jump.

Not sure what part of NJ you are in but if you are near Ocean City this summer you are welcome to borrow one of our boards to try it out.