Strapless

scottnorby · Tue Apr 05, 11 5:37 pm

I agree with the---just go---statements.

It's all about gaining muscle memory and no words or videos are going to teach your muscles what to do.

I see strapless as an advantage if your sole purpose is to get on to the face of a wave and surf it----with very little or no pull from the kite.

Meaning....the kite gets you on to the wave but from there it's about surfing----and surfing REQUIRES moving your feet around as the wave face changes........hence no straps for kiteSURFING.

KiteBOARDING with straps is fun too.
I see guys boost vertical wave ramps with straps and it looks cool.
I see guys ride overpowered on a strapped surfboard and it looks fun....edging the entire time even on the face of the waves.

But it just depends on what you want to do?

I personally would start with a bigger board....like a floaty board over 6 foot 4.
This allows you to just learn the board and not have to worry so much about the kite.
A bigger board will plane easier and sink a lot slower.

I started on a surfboard as a need----because I was in a light wind area and wanted more planing surface.

I was blown away at the feeling of the kite 'disappearing' because I had so much planing speed.

I could flatten the board----glide-----carve the board around the chop and it was all about riding the BOARD...not just getting towed around by the kite full time like on a twin tip.
No need to lean so far back and set the edge so hard.
I found that standing up riding was way more fun.

I never imagined where it would go.

Pulling a floater on a head high wave with the kite just hovering above you, is an insane experience.
Or making a section on a wave because you RODE the surfboard as intended and just had to make sure the kite was nearby..... downlooping the kite to get it back in front of you.

Downlooping is great while surfing because you have some time where there is little or no pull from the kite--------but you KNOW it's coming when the kite comes out of the loop...and you just make sure to be where you want to be on the face of the wave.

But be careful.

Adding the momentum of waves into the equation starts changing the pull of the kite immensely.
These are not rolling chop waves like the river.
The ocean waves are matter----electrons---moving mass.
They do not just rise and fall and give you a ramp (which then disappears) they are ground swells pushing toward the shore with speed.

As you drop into a good size wave you will feel your kite sometimes start pulling harder because you are literally running to the edge of the wind window--- and the kite drops back into the power.

Currents in the ocean can be pretty intense.
Sideshore currents 10 mph or more basically add or remove 10mph of wind from the kite.

Just get out there......
and come back and read all these posts as you learn.

PS...I ride one strap in front most of the time....which could be bad for my knee but I have not had an issue yet. Just keep the strap loose if you do it.

Sasquatch · Since 09 Mar 2005 2102 Posts PNW Bigfoot

pdxmonkeyboy · Wed Apr 06, 11 10:49 am

Unless your out in huge surf, getting past the break without straps is not a problem. Maybe it's my "ego" but busting a strapless air on your surfboard and just floating it in is a very cool feeling.

I rode straps for a season thinking that strapless would be too hard bit after a couple months of riding without them it's almost impossible to ride with them. It is a much cooler sensation and gives you allot more freedom. Concentrating on getting your feet out of and back into the straps is a PIA. If you really needed straps to ride a surfboard, they would all come with straps. Check out loosethestraps.com for more beta. I'm also selling my carbon fiber skim if you are indeed going to ride at sauvie

Pete · Since 29 Oct 2007 843 Posts Opinionated

sirmichaelo · Since 26 Mar 2010 353 Posts Maui Obsessed

Oh boy!!

"Strap Fight"!!!

nickdward · Since 11 Aug 2008 130 Posts Seattle Stoked

strapless101 · Since 17 Aug 2009 82 Posts gorge

Basically it's a boxers vs briefs kinda thing

pdxmonkeyboy · Wed Apr 06, 11 3:37 pm

Pete · Since 29 Oct 2007 843 Posts Opinionated

pdxmonkeyboy · Wed Apr 06, 11 4:08 pm

Sounds like you have stick up your ass about people riding strapless.

"look at me I can ride strapless" ?? Who the hell says that?

I guess I just object to the notion that because someone wants to ride strapless they have a big ego. I ride strapless because its fun and it does take more finesse.

I know what the honey badger would do because honey badger doesn't give a shit.

Pete · Since 29 Oct 2007 843 Posts Opinionated

So, when you refer to someone prefering "tightie whities" you were talking about people riding strapless, right?

If not, then sorry, I believe you do think you are superior. Otherwise, you wouldn't be referring to someone riding with straps in a negative light.

I have no problem with people riding strapless. Have at it, whatever floats your boat. What I do have a problem with, is that people think that they are superior if they do. Who is the better rider has no relation to riding strapless or not, but just because you ride strapless, does not make it so.

holly · Since 09 Jul 2006 440 Posts Hood River Obsessed

Pete probably doesn't wear boardshorts over his wetsuit and bust dangle airs off of a lip thinking he caught some sick dangle air but really he is no higher than the wave he just Boosted off of. Riding strapless takes way more skills and yeah it is an ego booster! You don't look like a tool riding without straps! Plus it makes you a better rider. I feel pretty badass riding strapless, and I'm sure everyone else does too. We all want to feel cool right!

Mize · Since 28 Mar 2011 31 Posts

Ok, ok... To each their own. Straps or no straps, eventually riding will progress to a point where kids unstrapped will be going as big as anyone strapped in... I enjoy the challenge. For me it's not an ego thing, I really just enjoy talking crap. If you don't mind using training wheels, I'm glad your having fun... See you on the river...
Sincerely,
Captain Kook

pdxmonkeyboy · Wed Apr 06, 11 5:09 pm

Holly does make a good point, it does make you feel badass when you can do it. Strapless airs are sick fun!

In other strapless news, my brand new Roushe Morphiues arrived today! These are officially put of production but real still has some available. Get them while you can.

Maybe I'll put fins and straps on it?

foghater · Since 31 Aug 2008 135 Posts Stoked

Damn I sure did stir the shit....

PDX monkeyboy I think it rubs people a bit the wrong way when you actually have a site called LOSE THE STRAPS ... others and I interpret that as .. lose the straps you kook..

Like I said I can ride strapless... quite well actually..and it does feel different..probally closer to actually surfing... but when its good size out here on the oregon coast.. 99% percent of strapless guys are just barley surviving...

I dont want to just survive.. I want to smack the holy living shit out of a lip, bust a kick ass air over a three wave 10ft close out.. just in time to grab the fourth wave.. arcing a g force bottom turn and straight up off the lip. and...repeat.

To each his own... just dont tell me yours is the only way..

pdxmonkeyboy · Wed Apr 06, 11 6:43 pm

I don't think anyone ever said there was only one way. I stay on the inside when it's breaking 10'

I think the point of loose the straps is too share the stoke, not call people kooks. Some people just need a little more prodding than others is all.

There is a time for some respect for people that can ride strapless. Like doing the blowout strapless... That takes some serious skill wheather you want to diminish it by claiming "ego" or not.

Shit man I like it all. Wake with boots, mowing the lawn, skim board, surfboard and wake skate. I will say though, if you can kick flip and land a wakeskate( which I can't) your pretty fucking money cause that shit is HARD

genek · Since 21 Jul 2006 2165 Posts East Po KGB