No more unscrewing / screwing footstraps if you decide to go strapless / strapped
No more going in and switching board

Thinner type straps with non slip upper side that would flatten and recess to deck pad level
Could be activated by foot or hand

Are right people with no wind right now
Go to drawing board and invent

Sorry i don't have time i have been busy this month keeping up my kiting average
4 days a week (14 times in waves , 2 times in flat water "definitely not my favorite anymore")

NSI makes a nice one that we use on raceboards.

CG

http://www.northshoreinc.com/store/pc/viewPrd.asp?idcategory=12&idproduct=306

...........What i really meant to say was "retractable straps" to deck level
....................It would simply disappear into the board
.............................

I think I will order a pair!! Thx

Seems like your leg might slip through those straps in a wipeout. Wouldn't be to good being dragged by a kite with a surfboard attached to your knee!

Could work though. Let us know how they turn out.

I understand the question, but really - how big is the "demand" for such a thing ?

I mean, most riders are either strapless or strapped - so they dont want it.

Then there is the rest of us that do both, and here we can divide once again, as most dont use the same type of board for strapless and strapped (makes no sense for most riders as two different styles and boards) .

Then there is a very little amount of riders left maybe, often newbees on waveboards, having only one board - that would like to start strapless till they have learnt to "feel" the board, and can change to ride strapped
Or reverse - that wants to ride strapped for starters, and decide to go strapless later
Mostly no problems here either - as they start with one style, and change later.

So the remaining amount of riders that would like to ride strapped AND strapless on the same board on the same day, might be really small.

I belong to the group that would never ride the same board strapped and strapless, as they are two different animals IMO.

So a bit curious how many would really like the option to switch "out there" ?

Keep it simple is what I prefer

Peter

..........Sometimes demand is created by designing someting new
...........If you build it they will come

........20 years ago there was no need for smart phones
........But someone had a vision of the future and created a demand

.......Never say never
.......Never stop dreaming and imagining

As a matter of fact, with directional boards, I always want to switch between strapped and not strapped during the same session. Strapped for jumping. Unstrapped for upwind and jibing, a case when the back strap is inconveniently in the way of foot freedom.

Sound very odd to me

Of course some has different preferences than others - but I've never met anyone where the back strap is in the way for jibing nor upwind - as you never place your foot that aft going upwind nor jibing

If less experienced, I would without doubt say that the strap was placed very very wrong

When placed where used when riding waves, it never gets in the way for jibing nor upwind IMO, and as I've seen around


But footstrap placement is extremely important - and I've seen very very experienced wave kiters who dont really know how to find the "ultimate" position (as there ARE a single ultimate position on most boards for a specific rider)


Having found the best setup front and rear strap, can turn a "dog" into a "perfect" board

My point here is, that I believe many havent found the best positions, nor bothered - so they dont really use the board well - and would prefer strapless then...

But if you get it right - you will love riding strapped

For most "typical" waveboards, the rear strap is placed between the front fins and the rear fin when thrusters.
A few might like the strap almost over the front fins, or very close - but definitely never forward of the front fins

Just the most used and preferred position by most riders IMO

True, there can be board differences, yes - but still a quite good thumb rule, just behind the front fins with the rear strap (used for jumping and waveriding in steep/good waves only of course).

Peter