When you are shopping for kneeboards, it helps to know some of the basics about how boards are put together. Most kneeboards consist of a core made of polyurethane, or foam wrapped in fiberglass, or a fiberglass composite.

Other features of kneeboards that vary by model and manufacturer include:

Fins: Fins on the bottom of a kneeboard can help with steering, but you can choose kneeboards with retractable fins or a dual option fin, depending on what tricks you plan to perform on your kneeboard.

Shape: Kneeboards used for tricks have a rounded edge shape, while those used for slalom kneeboarding have sharper edges to accommodate sharper turns.

Rocker: The rocker for most kneeboards is 5 to 6 cm. When you are looking at rocker numbers, keep in mind that a higher rocker makes a kneeboard turn more easily, but a lower rocker makes it go faster.

Visit your local Sun & Ski shop for expert advice on choosing the right kneeboard for your water sports plans.