Best way not to injure yourself : go strapless !

[Pedro Marcos]

Two years after starting this topic, I'm still reading or hearing about people twisting or breaking their ankles because of straps !

So I'm still going strapless and I don't think it's holding me down, see yourself :

https://vimeo.com/226974236

Very nice ! I use very loose straps, my feet can rotate inside them. But yes i already had some weird twisting episodes where im already on the water and my feet is still inside the strap with the foil fully up.

Im now learning to tack and the straps helps me, maybe when i have all the feet switching mastered ill take all straps out.

Buti tottaly agree with out, strapsless is safer.

[tegirinenashi]

Two years after starting this topic...

...and it is rendered obsolete with invention of foot hooks.

Strapless is OK, but just not for learning. During water start you have to nail your action sequence within one second or so. Or keeping the board edge with one hand and power stroking the kite with another. With hooks I can just sit/lay in the water indefinitely, lazily maneuvering board for the right direction, and power stroking the kite when I feel like it. No timing pressure.

I'm not aware of a single twisting episode with foot hooks. Perhaps it is a good idea to require manufacturers to sell new boards with hooks instead of straps as long as there are plate tracks on the board?

[Benicia Wind]

On my DIY wood foil, the board floats on its side so going strapless is easy.

[blu]

Two years after starting this topic...

...and it is rendered obsolete with invention of foot hooks.

Strapless is OK, but just not for learning. During water start you have to nail your action sequence within one second or so. Or keeping the board edge with one hand and power stroking the kite with another. With hooks I can just sit/lay in the water indefinitely, lazily maneuvering board for the right direction, and power stroking the kite when I feel like it. No timing pressure.

I'm not aware of a single twisting episode with foot hooks. Perhaps it is a good idea to require manufacturers to sell new boards with hooks instead of straps as long as there are plate tracks on the board?

+1 for hooks , specially if you don't have luxury of the flat water, which is the case for me

[tegirinenashi]

On my DIY wood foil, the board floats on its side...

Is there any downside [of lighter than water foil]? When separated from the board, does the board floats downwind as fast as the one with sinking foil (so that no bodydragging is necessary)?

Edit: radio silence means nobody knows (or cares). I guess board races without riders are not a thing yet. However, I would imagine a clever reviewer might organize one someday.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h7mhFTAJvxA