A forum dedicated to Hydrofoil riders
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knyfe
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Postby knyfe » Sun Sep 29, 2019 11:00 am
I tried to go toe side on my two front straps board but in no way could I find the right balance to make it work. Do i need to switch to one center front strap to stay a chance? I use a LF happy with a cut down Old door as board.
G - I know I am suppose to ride strapless but one at a time kids...
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Jugglajon
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Postby Jugglajon » Sun Sep 29, 2019 11:33 am
Two front straps toeside can work just fine. I thought at first it would be problematic but found out that there is no massive issue. BTW don't be in any rush to go strapless do what feels right for you.
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matth
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Postby matth » Sun Sep 29, 2019 12:48 pm
Ditch the strap before it's to late....I was trying to do my first planning jibe a few weeks ago and dropped my kite too fast in the exit to toeside. The board shoot out and I fell to the side with my foot stuck in strap. Big ouch, I tore my Quad muscle pretty bad and have been out for two weeks, most likely another week to go. Bottom line, I will never ride with my feet in the straps on a HF again, these boards have far more power and leverage than a TT or surfboard and could rip your leg off with ease...
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Regis-de-giens
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Postby Regis-de-giens » Sun Sep 29, 2019 1:11 pm
Jugglajon wrote: ↑Sun Sep 29, 2019 11:33 am
Two front straps toeside can work just fine. I thought at first it would be problematic but found out that there is no massive issue. BTW don't be in any rush to go strapless do what feels right for you.
Same for me two front ; if you feel uncomfortable , you can move your rear foot some centimeters in the toe direction to compensate the de-axis of your front foot
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FLandOBX
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Postby FLandOBX » Sun Sep 29, 2019 1:53 pm
knyfe wrote: ↑Sun Sep 29, 2019 11:00 am
I tried to go toe side on my two front straps board but in no way could I find the right balance to make it work. Do i need to switch to one center front strap to stay a chance? I use a LF happy with a cut down Old door as board.
G - I know I am suppose to ride strapless but one at a time kids...
Couple of thoughts.
If you're using an old door board, it's possible that you've got your two front straps separated extra wide to compensate for the width of the door. The wide separation of the front straps might make it harder to ride toeside. If you had a narrow separation between the two front straps, would it be easier?
Regarding strapless vs strapped on a hydrofoil, keep your straps if you want. If you don't have straps, it'll be difficult to boost, which is one of the joys of kiteboarding, whether you're on a TT or a hydrofoil. Keep your straps extra loose so you can bail out easily if needed, but don't think you have to ride strapless. Strapless is a preference for some, but definitely not a mandate.

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grigorib
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Postby grigorib » Sun Sep 29, 2019 1:56 pm
If you’re targeting riding strapless one day and don’t have middle strap option, put a longer, perpendicular strap using one hole of each left and right straps.
It will help for boardstarts and feel almost strapless once riding
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Kamikuza
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Postby Kamikuza » Sun Sep 29, 2019 2:03 pm
Move your back foot further over the center line ie. toes closer to toe side, assuming you're not using a strap back there. I still ride with front foot position like I've got two straps ... prefer that pitch control of widely spaced feet.
EDIT: Oh that's been said sorry

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knyfe
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Postby knyfe » Sun Sep 29, 2019 2:11 pm
The straps are mounted to nearly overlap in the center. It sounds like I am probably more limited by my board skills than the actual strap position
Thanks for all the comments. G
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AndersP
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Postby AndersP » Sun Sep 29, 2019 2:33 pm
The "unibrow" strap, same as grigorib described is really good. Perfect for starting and you can choose where to have your foot sideways. Toeside riding just as strapless. Very easy to twist your foot out of it to ride pure strapless. If you have it low, just your toes goes in it, there is no chanche to get stuck.
For me it is much better than straps and hooks.
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edt
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Postby edt » Sun Sep 29, 2019 2:40 pm
Do what you like. If you want to race, you'll have to get used to two straps if you want to be strapless get rid of them, if you want to boost, you'll want two straps. A single center strap allows you to easily shift your weight around. Do what you like have fun and don't let anyone tell you what style you are supposed to have. I do recommend if you want to eventually be strapless to start out strapless from the start tho.
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