Right, enough of this TT'ing in the surf. It's not a lot of fun for me personally. I usually go out on my strapless surfboards in the surf, but I'm not awesome at it and although being an ok surfer, I not yet able to run down the line slashing wave lips unstrapped with a kite.
Also I don't go out on a strapless board in the surf in stronger winds and at the moment in those situations I have to default to my TT.
So I'm thinking I should probably get a strapped surfboard.
Any thoughts on this and recommendations?
Also in terms of size I would imagine, they need not be as long as my regular strapless kite surfboards?

Custom "Delta" my 2 cents would be hard to beat.
or production look at the airush I've a compact few years old still good.

Why do you think having straps would make it easier for you to slash wave lips?

It's a personal thing and straps only felt to be in the way for me.

If you're being yanked off of your board, splipping off of it, can't put enough pressure on the rails to turn, it might be that your board has a tad too much volume? (assuming your kite work is good)

If you're really looking into getting a board with straps, look for one that's almost as long as your default one but it should be narrower and thinner. But, don't expect it to feel similar to your "surfboard".

Kajo,

Have been riding strapless for many years but as i have gotten older ,have a bit of a buggered hip due to old injury , have tried a few strapped boards over the years

North wham etc, just bought a RRD cotan (cut of nose and tail) have ridden it with both straps and only with a rear one and strapless, board feels so much like surf board and strong as .

i have a 5/4 felt like a 6 ft board ,was riding RRD Re;igon 9 in 18knts and this board handled both the larger swell we had on the coast over xmass like a larger board , still was a lot of fun in the smaller beach break.

Having been a long time surfer before starting kiting 14 years ago i was hesitant to go away from normal surf boards but am stoked with this new board

Not sure what other brands make similar, but the COTAN is great price and strong as , SOS surf in freo Wa sell them , talk to John he can give you more imfo

And no im not sponsored or affiliated with RRD just have known john for 20 years as i lived in WA before moving back home and still ride RRD have done for 14 years) , not sure if any one else sells RRD in NSW.

Have fun

Bear

I'd keep at the strapless surfboard.

You may not be good at getting over whitewash or riding down the line now but in a month or two you'll get the hang of it. It will free up your feet so you can find a position that feels comfortable for you, I often find my feet over the screw holes of the straps on my board. It will also help you throw your weight around for tight turns because you can move your feet around.

If you really do want to go strapped I'd go for a North Wam, I used to have one and used to chuck straps on it the odd time, they're a real solid board and some of the older ones allow you to run tri or quad.

I run an airush compact, it's 5,11 and can ride strapped or unstrapped, quad or thruster. I love it. Demo one from airborne in ozzy park, you won't be disappointed. I went the carbon version so it's super strong but with good flex, a bit exy but I'll have it for life, it's amazing!

.... Just realised you're in nsw

Thanks for all the comments. For all you who recommended strapless to me:
What do you do in high wind situations and/or high surf? You still go strapless?
I certainly don't feel confident to be strapless in those conditions...

Right I picked up an Axis New Wave 2014 for a good price and can't wait to take it out strapped in higher winds in the surf! Good times.

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Kajo said...
Thanks for all the comments. For all you who recommended strapless to me:
What do you do in high wind situations and/or high surf? You still go strapless?
I certainly don't feel confident to be strapless in those conditions...

Hey Kajo,

You can ride strapless in any conditions... It just takes a bit more technique as things change. If you are overpowered, drop your back foot right back on the tail pad over the fins and put weight on it to stall the board. If you trying to get out in heavier breaking surf, head out with speed and raise the front foot and bring the kite up to about 11 or 1, and use your back foot as an anchor. The board will float over the whitewater.

With the right board and the right kite, there is no real limits to strapless, and as the swell gets bigger and more consequential, wiping out hard and being held under is a little less risky.

Enjoy the new board!

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Kajo said..
Thanks for all the comments. For all you who recommended strapless to me:
What do you do in high wind situations and/or high surf? You still go strapless?
I certainly don't feel confident to be strapless in those conditions...

I probably wouldn't go out for the same reason you've stated. We're talking about 10ft+ swell. If the conditions are not right for my level and/or my gear, it's not worth it. I love my strapless board and can't really justify getting another one.

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jackforbes said..

...and bring the kite up to about 11 or 1...

When I hit the whitewater (one that I can handle!) or a not-yet-breaking wave, I personally drop the kite low so I don't dangle and lose the board when I get over the hump. Straps would make it much easier.

I ride strapless. But some guys are riding hard with straps. It's impressive. Check this out: