Strapless

Campbell · Since 07 Sep 2008 409 Posts Camas, WA Obsessed

For those with strapless skills, would you mind posting your thoughts on the best way to learn to ride a surfboard strapless? I bought one, have ridden it with straps, but am a little daunted by going out in the gorge this spring without them.

I tried a light wind day at the ponds, but I'm thinking I probably want more power at least when I'm first getting the hang of it initially. Even getting up and riding in light winds that day was very difficult, but obviously my skill set was probably the primary factor there.

My strategy is to go to the coast as the place to hone my skills rather than the gorge intially, but if you have ideas on techniques/best practice I'd love to hear it.

Thanks!

barfly · Since 31 Mar 2005 1214 Posts Portland BRACKISH

All kinds of ways to go. If you're in the Portland area this summer, Sauvie-skimboard-big kite. Seems like most things you learn, it will take some frustration and effort before it comes around.

Mize · Since 28 Mar 2011 31 Posts

I do not have any experience to back this... I bought a Kite and a Wakeskate and never plan on strapping in, I will let you know how it goes...

MKHR · Since 28 Aug 2007 116 Posts Hood River Stoked

Not sure if this will help, but last year, I rode with the back foot strap removed (front strap mounted). It really helped experimenting with moving my back foot around on the board. Made for much easier jibes.

Anyway, you might try a few sessions with that configuration before going full strappless?

There are a few good videos on vimeo for strapless 101:
http://vimeo.com/search/videos/search:strapless%20101/88cd5be9

MKHR · Since 28 Aug 2007 116 Posts Hood River Stoked

Vimeo link in my previous post was broken.

Goto vimeo and type in "strapless 101" in the search window. You will see two links to videos
1. Strapless kitesurfing 101: The Basics
2. Strapless Kitesurfing 103: The duck Tack

jsj · Since 11 Sep 2006 83 Posts Hood River

Go out with less kite than you would otherwise, this puts you more solidly on the board. Once you are up and planing you don't need the extra anyway... I'm always a few sizes further down than anybody around.

The previous post about eliminating the rear strap is risky - think about knee damage from twisting as you crash.

Recognize that even if you are in the water a lot more at first, the board is going to blow downwind much more than a twin tip so unless you are in ferocious current it will still be super easy to get to.

Wear a helmet for a while; particularly in high winds as a surfboard is waaaay more likely to be picked up by the wind (and blown into you, fins first).

Finally, any board is going to be more challenging in swell - ride the event site or Stevenson for a while. You'll get bored pretty quick, so then you can work powered transitions in swell and the fun begins...

Wind Slither · Since 04 Mar 2005 2620 Posts The 503 METAL

Not sure I agree with the "less kite" approach...having to manage an underpowered kite is not going to help your footwork. I say you just go for it on a nice steady day in flat water...there's really not much to it until you start talking bigger swell/waves/gusty wind.

I also think a bigger size surfboard is much easier than a finless skim board..

Thumb's Up

rich · Since 30 Nov 2005 306 Posts portland Obsessed

i think you'll find its not that hard. im not great at it, but it was pretty easy and a combo of frustration and lots of fun to get going and get the tack.

FlyDunes · Since 09 Oct 2007 1034 Posts Aloha XTreme Poster

Gman · Since 11 Feb 2006 4911 Posts Portland Unstrapped

take the staps off and ride every condition possible - the nastier the better
if you fall off every turn - who cares - you'll figure it out

work on making nice powered carves - be a master of body dragging - try taking the middle fin out (if you got a thruster) and try to slide the board around shuvit style (think that was my first successful turns)

grab your friend's board - a skimmy - a log - a cafeteria tray

all are good Thumb's Up

Mize · Since 28 Mar 2011 31 Posts

Eventually straps will be like Roller Blades... You get the point...

beech · Since 21 Aug 2010 485 Posts Longview, WA Obsessed

foghater · Since 31 Aug 2008 135 Posts Stoked

I have a totally different take on this

This is a subject I think alot about. Im a life long surfer and only kite with surfboards. I can ride strappless and it is defenetly more challenging but I dont find any real advantage or added enjoyment.

In fact if anything It limits you in many ways.

You cant boost over big close outs
You cant go as vertical off the lip or hit it as hard as with straps. ( few ,very few exceptions)
Youll lose your board alot ( I dont care who you are and if you dont your probably just cruising)
and in Oregon that usually means retrieving for half your sesh
In general you have to ride very cautiously akin to surfing wo a leash.

Do tow surfers ever go strappless? or wakeboarders? Windurfers?

Where as its fun to mix it up.. the whole strapless thing really seems like an ego driven fad. "Look Im cool I can ride stappless."

Pepi · Tue Apr 05, 11 2:54 pm

Gman · Since 11 Feb 2006 4911 Posts Portland Unstrapped

holly · Since 09 Jul 2006 440 Posts Hood River Obsessed

dude the only way you will get good at it is by doing it. we all started somewhere.. there is no science to it! I started one day in spi, when i didn't have enough power for my twin, and since haven't looked back. you will figure out what combos (kite size + board) work for you.. just keep at it, and its good to fall..means your learning!

foghater · Since 31 Aug 2008 135 Posts Stoked

yeah G man We have ocasionally gone strapless towing but only because it was mellow and glassy and my tow partner is goofy foot and having to switch straps is a bitch.

Usually theres a bit of bump or chop( like kiting) and having the straps saves your ass.

I just think that doing something just because its challenging seems like work and if your not gaining a huge advantage .....why?

To each its own.. I guess