Are the straps really necessary?

[andrepen]

Hello kiters,

I just learned foiling.

I come from kitewave background.

I am not against straps at all, I use them most of the time when I am riding.

But for the foiling, I started with only the front strap, like people on this forum adviced me to.

And I use only the front strap until now.

Now, when I am foiling, I feel that I dont touch the strap at all, except when I water start.

Hydrofoiling, there are no bumps, and the board keep glued to my feet. My front foot is inside the strap (quite loose), but I see that it doesnt touch the strap.

Do the straps really help at any situation at hydrofoiling?

Cheers

Andre

[boardjockey]

The strapless water start is easy to learn.

http://youtu.be/_llbe1mhLGk

[gmb13]

Hello kiters,

I just learned foiling.

I come from kitewave background.

I am not against straps at all, I use them most of the time when I am riding.

But for the foiling, I started with only the front strap, like people on this forum adviced me to.

And I use only the front strap until now.

Now, when I am foiling, I feel that I dont touch the strap at all, except when I water start.

Hydrofoiling, there are no bumps, and the board keep glued to my feet. My front foot is inside the strap (quite loose), but I see that it doesnt touch the strap.

Do the straps really help at any situation at hydrofoiling?

Cheers

Andre

Unless you are racing or want to jump high, then you don't really need the straps. Having a nice W-Concave on the deck of whatever board you want to put your foil on does help though.







--
Gunnar

[Tone]

When learning, straps at the front are a good idea.

[Peter_Frank]

Many advantages of straps:

Much easier to waterstart fast, and in low water without hitting the bottom.
You can jump insanely high even in light wind.
You can do freestyle tricks in the air.
You can do surface foilng freestyle a lot easier, whip the hydrofoil around so to speak.
You can ride faster and still be in control, even if ventilating.
You can put more pressure on the board, in many occasions.


Having said above, you are right, you dont need straps whatsoever, and a hydrofoil is MADE for strapless, as you dont have any bumps at all, just a smooth ride all the time

I have ridden strapless almost since the very start (after having learned with straps the first short time), loving it

But now, I think I will go into straps too, and do both (seems I am following Bracurus path in this respect ?), so you dont limit yourself but can choose
One strap only does not make much sense to me (particulary not when you CAN ride), as too much of a compromise

PF

[cglazier]

Thanks Peter, you have summed it up well.

I have spent plenty of time riding both strapless and with straps and both are fun. Now I ride almost always with straps because you are quite limited without them.. (I do like to go fast. and to jump).

Have fun whichever you choose.

CG

[darippah]

Yup as others have said its great to have straps for jumping and especially for high speeds to avoid wipeouts

[Peter_Frank]

Was out today with a front and a rear strap, for the first time since I can not remember ha haa.

It is SOOOOO much better with straps

Could jump straight away, high and easy.

Could do carving upwind 360's first time I tried.

Backroll jumps are even easier than on other boards.

Going downwind you have much more control at high speed as you can lift with your rear foot.

Carving in the waves you can be even more "reactive".

Can start faster and in lower water, "safer".


So it was confirmed fully, why straps are great, on the very first day

I still love riding strapless, but front and rear straps loose but not too loose (you dont wanaa slide out midair), will give you a lot more options and in many conditions much more fun.

Of course, when you find it too easy and boring, go strapless and jump like Horue

PF

[revhed]

Can it be that me Mister front foot hook only preacher will mount 3 straps on my first board build to confirm what P F has just experienced? I should know in about a month or so.
I still must add (keeping in caracter) that to learn, said front foot hook only is only less safe than strapless, but much safer than strap,s.
R H

[BraCuru]

But now, I think I will go into straps too, and do both (seems I am following Bracurus path in this respect ?), so you dont limit yourself but can choose

PF - good summary.
Wherever I go I take to sets - strapless waveboard + Silente and raceboard + Vorace.
Local conditions and my mood decide what to ride.
Difficult to say what I used the most.
Probably strapped one due to insane jumping.