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pods for primates : a catalogue of surfboards in australia since 1900

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glossary : k

K-glass / K-cloth
developed by John Kershaw of Kno-Naw Corporation.

Kayak
originally a canoe with a light wood frame covered with skins developed by the Innuit people of Northern America. Using a double bladed paddle the rider sits inside the craft, using a apron to seal the deck from water entry. This feature allows the much adopted ‘Eskimo roll’.
Later models used canvas , then marine ply as the outer shell.
In the 1950’s fully molded fibreglass models were developed.
See Surf Kayak.

Keel ( Fin) :
1. original fin designed by Tom Blake (Hawaii) 1934

2. 1972 Pat Morgan shallow (5 inch) long base (10 inch) fin
3. 1980 Ben Lexan / Cheyne Horan ‘Star fin’. Image right

Kelp Skegg / Weed Fin / Omega Fin
originally a shallow and/or tapered fin designed not to catch on kelp (seaweed), most relevant to Northern California, circa 1964.
Later application late 1980’s by sailboards, primarily in enclosed waters.

Kevlar
synthetic extruded fibre, lighter and stronger than fibreglass (trademark).
Used in some sailboards and surfboards particularly 1989-1993 in an attempt to improve strength.

kick tail
extreme tail lift

Knee Board/ Kneelo
short board designed to be ridden in kneeling position.
Also see Spoon #2

knee dents /knee wells
depressions in the deck of the board caused by the rider paddling in a kneeling position, common up to 1969. Note also that prone paddled boards ,. sub 7 ft 6inch, can have knee dents in the tail section of the board (due to the paddling action) in combination with heel dents.

knee/kneel patch/deck patch
extra layer of fibreglass laminated in the centre of the board to strenghten the area against knee dents, Particularly prevalent up to 1969 and with the use of Volan glass, a décor feature e.g. heart, diamond.
With the development of the Micro- board (sub 7 foot) 1969-1970 resulting in the elimination of knee paddling, the knee patch moved back as a tail patch.
Also see nose patch.

knee wells
deliberately shaped concave sections in the deck to assist in kneel paddling.
Common on modern Paddle boards

#144 Knee wells, 1/4'' deep, Scott Dillon 1966.

knot
1. international unit of nautical speed, approximately 1.85 km/h.
2. hard cross grain mass of wood where a branch joined the tree, applicable to timber boards.

Kook Box
hollow paddleboard, circa 1950’s. Derogatory term,.
See cigar box, log, plank.