SST stance

Bailey · Since 13 Apr 2008 87 Posts

I have been riding this board for about 4 months and find the stance a little wide. I have the front strap in the middle and the back one all the way forward. I am going to move the front strap back and try it again. It is an o8 sst and I love the board but find I ride with my back foot out most of the time. Anyone else have this problem. Thanks

Wind Slither · Since 04 Mar 2005 2626 Posts The 503 METAL

The idea is that the strap placement is for when your engaged in down-the-line, powered, top to bottom action. The wide stance with your back foot in front of the back fin is to optimize your power and snap. Twisted Evil

It's expected that while kiting you feel more comfortable with your back foot in front of the strap...and even during less agressive or underpowered wave riding.

Strap placement on surfboards is a compromise which is why some insist on strapless wave riding so you can easily put your feet where they need to be.

All that said...I am trying to figure it all out myself..so what do others have to say?
Thumb's Up

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

Hein wrote

skaterdad · Since 16 Jun 2008 54 Posts Portland

I just got one and mounted it up last night and was thinking the same, the stance is way wide. Ive never ridden a directional / surf board so I wasnt sure. It will be a learning curve for me, but hearing about taking my back foot out makes sense..stoked to check it out!!!

Im going to ask the question though, which I know is a hot topic to many....leash or no leash? (in the ocean)...and yes, with a helmet. Im pro helmet.

Chris

chanson · Since 31 Jan 2006 1874 Posts WISCONSIN Chimey

no leash for me, but I don't have a helmut either..

gman is pro lid and sans leash..prolly depends on how big the surf is..
the nice thing on the OR coast is your board will usually always wash-up to shore..just might be down the beach a bit..

twin---SANS STRAPS! yeah buddy!!!!!

saleeba · Since 05 Mar 2006 238 Posts Masshole Stoked

prob dont need a leash. maybe when surfing, but kiting can always drag bag to board. leash could be dangerous if you really got yarded.

saleeba · Since 05 Mar 2006 238 Posts Masshole Stoked

agree with hein to, lose straps

skaterdad · Since 16 Jun 2008 54 Posts Portland

okay....no straps. no leash. I think that could be the call and just jump in the deep end. I'll start in the river to check it out. We'll see how that goes...it makes me nervous, but I'll get over it. That solves the wide stance issue.

However, I saw this woman in Ventana riding a directional and flipping off the waves as casually as I ride a bike...bet ya cant do that with out straps. It was super cool to watch and someday...?

DROCK999 · Since 31 May 2007 852 Posts Left Coast Opinionated

Wind Slither · Since 04 Mar 2005 2626 Posts The 503 METAL

I would not be swayed by the strapless evangelicals...kite surfboard surfing is realy fun both ways. Very Happy

No doubt strapless is more challenging and more true to surfing ...but whoopty-doo, who cares. Confused

A leash is best avoided but if you're going out strapless your probably going to get separated a lot more...sometimes I go out with my 9' and I do wear a leash because the next wave always seems to carry it away to the beach.

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

Slither,
Your telling me you kite with your 9' longboard?
Dude thats badass......are you riding Strapless?

Wind Slither · Since 04 Mar 2005 2626 Posts The 503 METAL

Ya Mon, hangin 10, one-handed handstands, you name it... Laughing

But ya, I take the long board out when it's light and the surf is small and clean. And maybe you were joking, but no, no straps on the longboard. The bigger the board, the less straps make sense from the perspective of foot placement. I think Barfly kites his SUP. Shocked

Maybe straps are a crutch, and maybe I will want to ditch them when I advance my wave riding to the level of some of these other guys, but for now I really like to mix it up.

barfly · Since 31 Mar 2005 1216 Posts Portland BRACKISH

DROCK999 · Since 31 May 2007 852 Posts Left Coast Opinionated

Oregon Surf Shop Tim · Since 04 Feb 2008 70 Posts Lincoln City Oregon

My two pennies on the strapless vs strapped debate: Try both and then go with what seems like the most fun to you. It is true that strappless is more true to the original soul of surfing but the flipside of that argument is that it is really hard to paddle your 6'6" with straps sticking in your chest. Personally I like straps.

Pete · Since 29 Oct 2007 844 Posts Opinionated

I've kited both strapless and strapped, and I must say, riding strapless is easier to jibe. How this makes it more "core" than riding strapped, I'm not sure.

Must be 'cause all the cool kids are doing it. All the cool kids smoked cigarettes too, but that never appealed to me to much.

I see advantages to both styles, but think each has it's place.

Boots are another story. I'll let Forrest fight that battle.

Chooch · Fri Apr 17, 09 8:56 pm

What about boots on a surfboard Question