A few weeks ago i tried strapless downwinder but struggled to keep the board on my feet during deep water starts, jumps and messy waves.
I came up with this idea, so far have had good success with three downwinders.
Sliding foot strap allows full movement of feet up and down the board and also keeps board connected to same.

well done
you have followed the basic engineering principle
K.I.S.S.

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allano said...

well done
you have followed the basic engineering principle
K.I.S.S.

Thanks.
Any simpler and there would be no strap!

I tried a very similar approach. Though I used some rubber with turned up edges I got from Clark rubber, even had a quick release where the strap attached to the leg rope plug. It went well for two surfs and then I went for a floater, crashed, my feet and legs went under and through the strap and my board was now tight against the back of my thighs. I was now face down in the water getting pumped and couldn't get to the quick release. After the wave passed I managed to get my legs out. I then went to the beach took the strap off and never used it again. Be careful, by the look of that you could get stuck in the same position.

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strapped said...

I tried a very similar approach. Though I used some rubber with turned up edges I got from Clark rubber, even had a quick release where the strap attached to the leg rope plug. It went well for two surfs and then I went for a floater, crashed, my feet and legs went under and through the strap and my board was now tight against the back of my thighs. I was now face down in the water getting pumped and couldn't get to the quick release. After the wave passed I managed to get my legs out. I then went to the beach took the strap off and never used it again. Be careful, by the look of that you could get stuck in the same position.

Hmm...a fellow kiter made a similar comment after seeing my board yesterday.
Would a fixing point halfway along the strap mitigate the outcome you describe above?

Be careful it looks dangerous, knee twisting or getting caught by the strap.
Either straps on or clear deck (Both have a place)
There are straps designed for a race board. Very light weight and flexible (expect not so strong) but when not in use they flatten onto the deck and can be walked on, just a knack to then getting your feet in. Still trying to track the supplier.

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dorothyinste said...

strapped said...

I tried a very similar approach. Though I used some rubber with turned up edges I got from Clark rubber, even had a quick release where the strap attached to the leg rope plug. It went well for two surfs and then I went for a floater, crashed, my feet and legs went under and through the strap and my board was now tight against the back of my thighs. I was now face down in the water getting pumped and couldn't get to the quick release. After the wave passed I managed to get my legs out. I then went to the beach took the strap off and never used it again. Be careful, by the look of that you could get stuck in the same position.

Hmm...a fellow kiter made a similar comment after seeing my board yesterday.
Would a fixing point halfway along the strap mitigate the outcome you describe above?

I can see another problem arising there

Yep I can see a few potential disasters happening with your setup why not just a single front footstrap as in the vid posted by griffin kites in the best light wind kite topic,you can get a stick on strap pad setup if your board dosent have inserts,gonna give the single strap a go myself,could work well.

Gday all,well this looks like a great set up.But can see the problem with it.I ride with my front foot strapped in.But not the whole foot strapped in ,Just enough of the foot strapped to prevent myself from getting bounced of.If i wipe out the foot comes out easy.Have heard of guys doing bad damage to there knees from riding one foot fully strapped.Been riding like this for afew years and no problem.Cant believe that board makers all put the back strap so far back.and without enough plugs so you can move it up the board.Thats a big hint to any board maker.cheers all