Need some Sound Advice from Directional Riders

eric · Since 13 Jan 2006 1861 Posts XTreme Poster

So, tweaked my hamgstring again yesterday. Tore it badly last year; yesterday not too bad. My front foot slips out and I get over-stretched. It is also possible that my back foot slids off and my front foot remains on the board. Not sure, as it all happens so fast. It has happened twice in the last year, and perhaps 150 sessions. I ride strapless, obviously. Not because I think it's "Cooler," but because I like it a lot more. But, it seems as if front/back foot slippage might be an issue. My board NEVER feels slippery with wax. So, what can be done?

1. Figure out a board length that will feel okay strapped and just deal with straps and learn to love it.

2. Ride with front strap only

3. Ride with front/rear bumper pad thingy designed to keep the front foot from sliding out.

Advice from folks who have some experience with any of this appreciated.

Thanks,
Eric

lloyd · Since 16 Aug 2007 108 Posts Hood River Stoked

What are you doing when your feet are slipping off? Driving upwind, bottom turns, top turns? Underpowered, overpowered?

Using the current temp wax with a base coat?

eric · Since 13 Jan 2006 1861 Posts XTreme Poster

Last summer was a small strapless jump. Yesterday was simply going across the wind, though the water was uber choppy. Both times it happened so fast really not sure if front foot slips forward, or rear slips off. Regardless, it puts me in the high hurdle position.

forrest · Fri May 20, 11 12:43 pm

It's front foot slippage due to slippery board conditions. Once your foot goes off the wax to the slippery nose, its just sliding until it comes off the board. I'd go front foot foam before I'd go straps.

ericvs · Since 05 Jul 2008 133 Posts Stoked

Check out Nick's white board in this link. He has 4 black pieces of deck pad right in front of the wax near the front on his board. This will stop your front foot from sliding off the front.

http://straplesskitesurf.blogspot.com/p/video-archive.html

Ryan · Since 14 Jul 2005 537 Posts Oregon Addicted

Make sure the wax is the correct temp for the water and use ALOT of it, especially in the front where your front foot tends to push it around. I wax further forward than I think I will ride. When you land a jump sometimes you come down in a wierd place on the board, near the front and waxing it up near the front helps with this.

I also will sometimes carry a wax comb with me and give it a good comb every hour or so. I find this really helps as the wax gets smoothed out. Do it before a session as well.

TWIN-FIN · Since 24 May 2006 805 Posts Portland, OR Hot Monkey

Hey Eric,
I experienced the same thing two years ago.
Ridding strapless with just wax for the front foot. No problems with booties on.
As soon as the booties come off things start to get slippery. I was learning how to olly my board and got pretty good at it but once I started getting more air my front foot would just slip right off the board slamming my knee right on the deck.
I went to NSI and bought some single densitly deck pad with adheasive on the back. Cut the size and shape I wanted and have not had the problem since.

Now every surf board I ride gets one installed even before it hits the water.

Try it, you will not be disapointed.

Hope to see you on the water soon.

aksurfer · Since 30 Aug 2010 92 Posts Anchorage, AK

wax your traction pads for maximum grip

Gman · Since 11 Feb 2006 4911 Posts Portland Unstrapped

It happens...

Nothing to do with wax when I pulled a hammy last year - kinda a fluke thing - super nuke day at rufus - fall off the board seemed like slow motion - front foot somehow sticks to the board and fall off backwards and end up doing a 4th down punter stretch with your foot way over your head (thats when i heard that horrible snapping noise)

cant hurt to wax each session - I wear booties or sneaks (if warm) for extra traction - bare foot i have more issues with wearing a spot clean of wax if out for an extended session (twin fins prob got the right idea...)