has anyone gone straight onto a surfboard without straps when they were a beginner and how did you go?

A mate of mine who is a very good surfer and windsurfer just started kiting with a 12m Crossbow. He rode an old wake board about 5 times on the flat water and then went straight onto a surfboard and is doing really well.

i ve only ridden twice and that has been on a wakeboard doing ok but ive been looking at my surfboard and am tempted to give it a bash

I started out learning on my old 6'7" surfboard that I used to surf on for about fifteeen years, no straps. Found it easier to pick up what was going on as I could move my feet on the board to keep standing up while flying the kite. I did put straps on later (Predator) but still found they got in the way when I wanted to trim the board in underpowered conditions. After some practice only then I became accustomed to using the straps. If you lock yourself in the straps the board can tend to bog down with too much weight on the tail till you get up the board speed. Get the board speed and then move back. Sometimes you have to put your back foot in front of the rear strap when starting just to get planing. I couldn't ride a twin tip as I didn't have the edging experience from wakeboarding . The surfboard with NO straps was the easiest way for ME to learn. If the wind is strong use a smaller kite.

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harrysurfer said...

has anyone gone straight onto a surfboard without straps when they were a beginner and how did you go?

Entirely possible and plausible-makes for getting your board trim right for the conditions easy-BUT as a beginner you may have some difficulty staying on the board unless your edging is up to scratch-you may find yourself getting pulled of the board by the kite-something time, patience and practice will overcome.