Surfboard Straps or Strapless

SpanishGirl · Since 27 Jun 2010 35 Posts

Just started kiting a couple years ago, since than been ridding a twin tip. While watching other kiters shred it on the swell with their surfboards! Looks super sick! want to try it. So need your help to decide what's the best way to learn. Should I start with or without straps or a board with a single front strap? Any other info/opinion would be appreciated.

Scribble · Since 18 Nov 2005 636 Posts NoPo Addicted

I just started this season riding surfboards and to me it seems like it would be harder to learn with straps. It's nice being able to move your feet around and not have to worry about getting them in the straps.

The single front strap scares me. I tore my ACL when I was learning because one foot came out of the strap and the other did not.

Andy

nickdward · Since 11 Aug 2008 130 Posts Seattle Stoked

I think riding with no straps is much easier to learn things like gybing. Also in lower wind strapless is much better because you can move your stance around to make the board more efficient.

Straps are kind of a crutch, in my opinion. They're easy, but you won't truly learn how to ride a surfboard. That's just my opinion though...I haven't ridden anything but a strapless surfboard for the last year...it's too damn fun

kitebot · Since 20 Feb 2007 251 Posts Obsessed

pdxmonkeyboy · Wed Jul 07, 10 8:22 am

No straps fo shoo. Get yourself to the coast as well and ride on real waves, slashing swell is fun and all but they generally don't move fast enough to really surf. I put my straps back on once when the surf was pretty big and promptly got washed cause I couldn't jibe fast enough.

Practice the two step jibe on land, you'll be surprised how easy it is

Sella · Wed Jul 07, 10 8:43 am

If you're a machine at body-dragging go strapless as it will push your progression quicker. It's such a different feeling that when you stick a few turns it's that rush of learning all over again. Clean wind also a huge benefit to help you.

I went strapped...then removed the back strap first....then strapless. Each stage is a learning curve but still fun and strapless for me is still a big challenge so don't get discouraged and be patient.

Also, keep the front strap loose as Scribble recommended if you go that route.

genek · Since 21 Jul 2006 2165 Posts East Po KGB

I would never recommend that anyone ride with one strap. Might be OK on the river but in ocean waves that's just asking for a messed up knee. I'd go strapless if you're learning on the river. More fun and you can learn some new skills.

adamxbo · Since 01 May 2010 10 Posts

as far a my strapless experience goes 4 years ago I though it's impossible to ride serious waves strapless, started of in flat water, no straps. jibes, ollies became easy stuff quite quickly, then you need to work on the timing and reading the break when you go out in the waves. It makes huge difference what conditions are you in, offshore wind for ex makes everything super easy, except getting your board back, sideshore and side on makes things most complicated since your kite will stall once you catch a longer wave and trust me at some level you do not want to get off the wave just cause your kite is stalling. well coming back to the topic, riding with straps can give you more control(so they say, I have never considered it waveriding) but riding strapless is more fun and it's as close to surfing as it gets with a kite.

now one more thing. LEASH. from my experience... USE IT(as long as you're on the level you can control the kite after falling off the board, still in some conditions it's good to go without the leash). I have been using it for last two years and I wish I had used it from the beginning. I would be progressing much faster.

Adam
Surfpoint Vietnam
http://www.surfpoint-vietnam.com/

Strapless in Vietnam Nov'09

Gman · Since 11 Feb 2006 4911 Posts Portland Unstrapped

Nice shot!

don't really need the leash in the Northwest - not too many spots with reefs or rock - and the board generally ends back on the beach...

DROCK999 · Since 31 May 2007 852 Posts Left Coast Opinionated

kt · Since 16 Mar 2005 763 Posts Portland, Or Opinionated

just started strapless this year and the gybes are way nicer. a very different feeling on the water being able to move your feet around. starting out is my biggest challenge without the straps but, i am slowly getting it.

river only so far. i have been skunked the two times i went to the coast.

kt

kochease · Since 03 Jul 2008 760 Posts In Ft. Stevens, OR Opinionated

Strapless rocks!!! I used straps for a few sessions just to really get the feel of the board but now it's been strapless forever more!!! Practice in the river the hit the ocean.

Nak · Wed Jul 07, 10 8:43 pm

kitebot · Since 20 Feb 2007 251 Posts Obsessed

backtoCaLi · Since 15 Mar 2008 74 Posts Nor-Cal

I found it easier while learning to jibe to try to do it soon after my transtiton, pointed a little downwind, & the kite higher. No hesitation in the process, think of it as a dance move, if you wait too long after moving the back foot up you be off beat.

and definitely strapless is the shiz! it really is the best way to maximize your surfboard potential and the closest thing to real surfing.

bulae99 · Since 12 Jul 2006 1691 Posts I give out bad advice.

Get up and planning, then turn so you are switch footed, whatever direction, then send your kite up like your doing a little jump.
When kite is directly over head, do a quick jump and switch feet to normal stance.

You can also do this in a tack set up as well.
Hey, for a beer I'll show you how on the water..

Cheeers
Very Happy

Matt E. · Since 22 May 2008 318 Posts West Coast Sales Rep Obsessed

I think the easiest way to jibe is to not focus on the jibe. Instead go and carve to your toe side, once you are coming out of the turn quickly flip your feet and you're off! This helps prevent doing the down wind hula/waterski on your board Very Happy