Dropknee

Dropknee (often refereed to as "DK") is a subdivision of bodyboarding where the person (the dropkneer) kneels on a bodyboard with one knee at the back and one foot up at the front. Dropknee is a different approach to bodyboarding compared to prone riding; it is similar to stand-up surfing in terms of maneuvers and technique but in the same time the panel of tricks is wider and it is often considered to be harder than stand-up surfing and prone bodyboarding. The average Dropknee board is longer in length and width than the average prone bodyboard. Dropknee boards vary in shape depending on the rider. Some dropknee boards do have fins similar to those on surfboard however this is rare.
Dropknee was invented by Jack the Ripper Lindholm .
The past decade has seen the rapid growth of Dropknee with riders such as Matt Lackey pushing the sport to new levels.
Dave Hubbard is the current world Dropknee champion.
Dropknee Sessions
Claton Pickworth began Dropknee sessions (DKS) in 2001 when professional dropkneers were complaining about to the lack of quality surf in competitions. DKS was established specifically for Dropknee riders and allows the competitors to choose the best available surf conditions to compete in. DKS is the bigest Dropknee competition in Australia and is held in Port Macquarie annually. Grant Molony took out the 2010 DKS event with Matt Lackey as runner up.
Male Dropkneers
Paul Roach is considered the father of modern Dropknee.
Other Notable Dropkneers include:
* Dave Hubbard - 4 times world champion and first person to land an dropknee roll on film
* Matt Lackey - Mostly a freesurfer who is well known for his revolutionary style and control.
* Kainoa Mcgee -
Maneuvers
Dropknee begins when a dropkneer gains enought speed on a wave and takes off. Dropknee; rather then bodyboarding and surfing is still in its developing stage and hence new maneuvers are being invented all the time. Becuase dropknee boards have no fins they are able to slide more freely than surfboards while still maintaining the same level of control; due to this dropkneers are able to perform a larger range of tricks than surfers.
The best known dropknee maneover and one of the most difficult is the throwtail or layback which was invented by Paul Roach. Other maneuvers invlude: reverse spin, foward spin, barool rool, floater, floater 360, air foward, air reverse.
Equipment
Dropknee is generally performed with a bodyboard, leash and a pair of dropknee fins. The typical Dropknee board is wider and longer than the typical prone board. Dropknee boards are generally made of either polypropylene or polyethylene with a carbon fibre stringer through the middle of the board. Dropknee fins are generally shorter to those used in prone to allow for takeoffs. Dropknee fins are used both to propell a dropkneer in the water and for balance on a board.
Other equipment invludes a leash (to stop the board from drifting away after a wipeout, and to prevent it from hitting other surfers)and wax (rubbed on the top of a dropknee board to stop a dropkneer from slipping of the board).

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