A few years back I was out at a spot here in NorCal and this young kid paddles up to me and asks excitedly "is that a kneeboard." Uh, yea I respond, he says "WOW, just like George Greenbro." Uh, yea, just like George Greenbro.
S.P, I'm also 5'10" with a 30" inseam. I probably kick most of the time, legs hanging off the board upper body supported by my elbows. The exception being when catching waves, I move forward and use arms and legs. My boards range from 5'8"" to 6'1" and I have no trouble kick...
If you're going 6oz bottom double 6oz top, you don't need a deck patch. Especially if you're going to put a pad on it. And you don't need the thicker pad.