Give it a go!
I recon a knee board used behind a boat would be better than the ones they use in the surf because they strap across the top of your thighs so you could get some air!
Have you tried behind a boat or in the surf? If you can ride one there, I recon you could definately do it with a kite.
Good onya mate - don't let a disability keep you out of the water!

A few years ago I read of some fellas in the UK doing it... they reported that it was easy to get upwind. Some were using off-the-shelf boards (for use behind ski-boats) and some were modifying boogie-boards (which generally didnt last too well).

Cool... it looks like it might be worth a go.

I have had a look at a few different boards, and the boards with straps look the money. Upwind sounds easy in theory, but I guess I will find out on the water. I might have to play around with a couple of boards and fin configurations.

If it is worth while I might even eventually break out the tools and see if I can customise a board. Long nose, rear centre of gravity (if needed for up wind riding) and a quick release knee strap. I have a few manuals that outline the matricies for pole board construction, so that might be a starting point.

Oh, yeah - maybe even a cup holder, waterproof stereo, 5.1 surround sound, sub woofer and underboard neon lights (damn, the greek in me keeps coming through ). Any other suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

I am heading to Sydney in a few weeks, so I will give the off the shelf board a go and maybe post a few pics (hopefully of me in action - not my injuries/loss of eyelids)

I gave it a go a few years ago.. I use to love knee boarding when I was a kid and got the old one out for a bit of fun.. works well, goes upwind awesome.. a great option for a light wind day.

I tried it all!
Surfsky, kaiak, kneboards. It's fun and worth to try when the wind is light and nothing elese can be done.
However... nothing compare with the proper board!

i had a go at it when i was learning ..(didn't have a board yet)...too easy !! just like being towed behind a boat ...only downfall is getting strapped in first and keeping the nose up..
have a blast!!

Some of those high end ones, (for instance i had an o'brien) would be awesome i reckon. You can get the nose well out of the water, and they hold a great rail, although a couple if small fins on each side, middle and back would help compensate for the upward pull of the kite but still allow for spins. Nice n thin, easy to drill for fins.....yeeha

I will give the kneeboard a go straight off the shelf and then see if fins are needed once I have had a little experience.

In relation to my knee and braces, the problem I face is that I suffer from a combination of loss of feeling, loss of strength and loss of stamina (basically totally stuffed!!). A knee brace will help with keeping my knee moving in the correct directions, but not much can be done for the fact that I loose strength pretty quickly. I still have to be able to support my own weight. The longer and harder I push my knee the less feeling and strength I have! It takes about 2-3 days for the feeling and strength to return. When I do overwork my knee (and other parts of my body) I face the risk of twisting my knee in the wrong direction, doing damage, and not having the feeling of pain to tell me that it hurts!

I have just been fitted for a knee brace to use on those days when struggle to walk in a straight line and down stairs etc. The brace is expected to assist me to avoid damage, but I still have to make my leg move myself.

I am sure this sounds all very confusing, but MS affects my brain and not my knee. The usual signals that you brain sends and receives are just not getting through. I know this because I have burnt myself and only realised when I looked around for what was causing the strange smell.

Anyway, I can't complain. I am pretty used to having to re-assess almost everything I do and I am greatful to all of you who have helped steer me in the right direction.

While I am here - anyone expecting to be kitesurfing around Batemans Bay/Broulee this weekend?

AJ,

I really wish you all the good luck and hope that soon, someone will find a cure, or at least something to stop MS.
I know how hard it is to stay on the beach, and look others having fun on the water, however, let's look at the bright side: you definitelly will have fun with the knee board. I wish I'd be there with you, when you firs try it.

Good luck and hope to hear good news.

Silviu