is DK the next kneelo?

[SINNistER]

Ok this isn't really a serious topic just hoping to start some discussion.

For the first time in ages at my local I saw a kneelo the other day. I remember being a grom and they were quite common back then, or perhaps I should say that you would see a couple every session.

But it got me thinking, that is about the same amount as I see drop knee and come to think of it I see people doing drop knee less and less. People could also argue that like riding a stand up in the kneelo position, dk is a less functional way to ride a boog. Is it possible that dk will go the way of the kneelo? With the strong focus on prone these days will dk become a rarirty to observe in the water and something that reminds us of times past?

These aren't necessarily my opinions by the way, just an observation that got me thinking.

[zaen]

Now you mention it even from 5 years ago I see less DK riders out. Or at least less waves being ridden DK. I myself get stoked on seeing DK live, when I am out in the water but footage of it to me is a bit dull. Also I cannot DK to save my life, maybe that makes me appreciate it less.

Funnily enough however today at the local reef I just got a nice wave, good barrel and was stoked with myself. Then I turn and the next wave is taken by a guy who gets up DK, tucks under the lip and rides a barrel that fires down the line where he ended up being spat out. To say I was trumped is an understatement. DK to me at that moment was as relevant as ever.

[savage flame]

Can't really comment on the prone vs DK because where I'm from bodyboarding is basically dead when compared to the amount of surfers.
My old man is a kneelo, has been his whole life. He's probably 1 of 10 around the whole area who kneeboards. Then again, there never was that many back in the day either.

[Chops]

I am starting to see alot more kneeboarders then DK my mate whom i surf with has been on the kneeboard for around 20years but must say the last 12 to 24 months seen alot more of them about

[meaksy]

Agree with zaen for the most part, although while i cant dk to save myself, i still like to try every now and then which makes me appreciate good DK even more. I love watching someone on the knee live but it just doesnt look anything special on the screen (most of the time). Not many dropkeeers around where i live so cant say if its decreased or not or will become a rarity when it kind of is already a rarity. I think that DK probably has more scope for progression than kneeboarding so i doubt it will become exstinct just yet

[SINNistER]

It’s pretty sad but most of the time when I am out in the water I am the only guy doing dropknee, occasionally I will see someone who will have a crack at it forehand but it’s pretty rare that I see someone who is a full time dk rider or can ride backhand.

I try to surf every wave dk these days which has been a very long and frustrating road (felt like giving up so many times and I am only still average at it), and some surfs it still is very frustrating and waves get blown but if you get a few good ones it makes the session for me, especially since it is so hard.
I think that is a big reason for people not dking, it is damn hard and like some of you have mentioned, you appreciate good dk all the more once you have had a crack at it and realized how hard it was yourself. I think a lot of people get discouraged. I am far from being a good dk’er but I am really happy with how I have progressed, however it has taken me ages to get to the average standard that I am at (being able to ride backhand, forehand, do turns and off the lips/floats).

I love watching dk, on dvd or live and wish more guys/girls would have a crack and realize how much fun it can be and that once they get into it they will enjoy watching it a lot more. I think it will never die, it will never be more popular than prone considering how hard it is, what waves it is functional on and all the coverage and hype going to prone guys but I am pretty sure there will always be people doing it.

[ATV]

its looking that way!
when i got hooked on bbing in 93 it was so much more versitile Prone/DK/Stand Up it made me choose a BBoard over a Stick.Plus all the fins out there Churchills,Vipers,Hydros,Blades,Bluntcuts,redleys ect all made up unique styles!
How good is the future looking looking where everyone rides exactly the same(prone) and all fins are Churchills or Churchill rip offs

[Chops]

ATV have to agree with you on that one, especially on the Fin front i have returned to the board after about 5 or so years off it and must say the biggest thing that spun me out was everyone's fins look like churchill's

[ATV]

It makes me sick that so many think that a dolphin shape fin makes your style better!!! its the rider that makes thier style!
I was watching an old classic vid "805" last night where Mitch Rawlings is tearing up OTW in a pair of vipers and he makes the fins look stylish!!

[SINNistER]

ATV I absolutely agree mate, I started around the same time as you and none of my mates or I had the same equipment, boards or fins etc.
More people surfed with styles that differed from one another and people would get paid out on if they tried to clone a style so much which is in direct contrast to what happens today ie I hear groms talking about how they should get the same equipment cuz so and so wears it or say they tried to surf a wave like whoever their favourite pro is.
DK is one side of the sport where there is still a lot of variation in peoples style. I have noticed a trend towards some equipment but I think this is more to do with the fact that there are less options available for someone wanting to buy stuff geared towards dk. As far as actual surfing styles go just look at the lackey project dvd and pretty much everyone on it looks unique in their styles.