Foot Hooks

[Bille]

How many different Foot hook designs are there , on the market
now ? I'm gonna build a hook for my directional as a prelude
to learning to hydrofoil ; and trying to determine which design
might go well with my Fake Feet. 3 years ago , i could get
in and out of the two foot-straps on my directional, with ease ;
but i don't think that's the way to go for learning to hydrofoil ?

Remember i can NOT bend both my ankles ; so i need something
that holds my carbon/plastic foot tight; but will release in a face-plant.

Bille

[Herman]

If you have not seen it look on YouTube for "Foil Surfing Hooks". The video shows how a guy started developing his own foothooks by making them from EVA blocks. I think a reasonable block would be an EVA yoga block but you would need to check that.

Certainly worth a look! Regards Herman.

[juandesooka]

Only 3 styles I know of: 1) NSI klingon: foam block with a small lip, some people shave the lip to be just a nub, for ease of exit, hold in place by feet pressing outward more than being hold down vertically.

2) NSI Foot Hooker: plastic with neoprene over top. Most common these days, there are other brands making similar. They break pretty easy, other negative is if you need to body drag through kelp, the rear one facing forward will grab kelp (versus a foot hooker or strap sliding over it).

3) Predator: similar style to above but longer foot cover and stronger material. Seem to have disappeared now.

Then there are DIY versions. But has made his out of a curved handle for a windshield ice scraper, screwed down. I made a DIY set from a plastic cutting board, shaped into a z with a heat gun. Works fine, with a potential negative of being too strong ... the foot hooker will break before your leg does or during the death loop superman flying if a kite line grabs it.

[plummet]

×1 for plastic chopping board/heat gun method.
Search my hydrofoil build you will find pictures.

[handy]

Dakine Cobra hooks are very good
https://www.dakine.com/en-eu/sport/kite ... oard-hook/

[iriejohn]

Perhaps instead of foot hooks you could use straps which release above a certain load, like ski bindings do for example? Then you could keep your fake feet well jammed in with the certain knowledge that above a given release/twisting force they would release.

[Bille]

Perhaps instead of foot hooks you could use straps which release above a certain load,
like ski bindings do for example?
...

I just thanked everyone that bothered to answer ; after
searching (images) i got a Good idea on how to build one
from carbon sandwiched SYNTEX™.
My new leg is made with that lay-up ; the builder followed
my recommendation, and i even supplied the expensive material,
but it was Worth It, because i can't break the damn thing !!!

That could be a problem ; the next thing in line
that's gonna break, is my real hip .

SO -- that last suggestion from "riejohn" ; that's what's gonna
make this thing work !!
I got some really old ski bindings, that use an adjustable spring
to press a steel bearing into a set-hole ; it's ability to release
in tension, is determined by tightening the back of the spring
with a set-screw.

I'm gonna copy that design for the release mechanism on my
home-made foot-hook.
I'll place plastic on my fake foot for a release agent, and make
my unbreakable foot-hook so it holds my prosthetic in place, with
precision.

If i could actually Bend my ankle ; non of this would be necessary.

Thanks everyone : Bille

[iriejohn]

Be sure to test release pressures when wet because water is a very good lubricant.

[Bille]

Be sure to test release pressures when wet
...

Would NOT have thought of that ; Thanks !!

I think it will work though ?

Bille

[juandesooka]

awesome, send photos when done!

I recall this conversation many years ago. I still believe that if you approach some foil manufacturers and explain your "unique" circumstances, I wouldn't be surprised to hear you get yourself one designed for free. A photo/video of you ripping it up on their adaptation is solid gold promotion for the right company. HINT HINT to all the foil companies lurking in the shadows.