received these in the mail yesterday and at first you think man these are huge! and kinda look like a cows tongue...
then you see the detail gone into them, the forming, the plastic insert area, stitching etc.
They have an insert system that sticks to the top of any board, at any place. It has 3 options so there is plenty of adjustment. There is also more adjustment with wedges to jam in to asjust the height and swing limiters etc.
speaking of swing, this is a wicked thing with them, you put the inserts on square and the strap is able to swing from side to side to allow for different angles for your feet and stance. BRILLIANT!
i was very suprised at all this detail, you kinda never know with aussie inventions just how far they go, but credit to these boys they have put together a top product.
enough gabble, what are they like i hear you ask?
well after my first downwinder on em (conditions prob 15 knots, small swell, 9m and 6 foot custom) i am HOOKED! well i was unhooked but lets not get into more debates...
took a few waves to get used to.
they are definatey different and may be for you, but equally may not. i like to use straps (mainly the front one) loose and just to keep the board on my feet for getting out and looking for swell to turn into. I find that being strapless you have to concentrate heaps more on chop and wave and not look up so much.
these straps make it easy! water starting you can just chuck the board down and slide your feet onto the board and then slide into the straps at any position. gybing is simple as you can again slide your feet around.
on a wave i found you can either have your foot jammed in the front for a strap like feel, or slightly back for a bit of somethin to sit on top of your foot to pop an air easy with, or you can slide your foot back and ride the tail for that full unstrapped feeling!
anyways, i recon they are the ducks nuts and wicked that another design has developed to go with the way one style of kiting has progressed.
I got em on my stick and ride either at scabs or do downwinders from CB to scabs so if ya wanna take a look feel free.
ill write some more when i get a few more goes on em.
unfortunately it is not lookin too present as the weather is lookin crap for the next few dayz.
so are you going to stick to these things or use regular straps aswell? When your feet are inside them does it feel like your locked in?
it isnt as locked in as say a wide twinnie strap, but then i never had my straps tight on my surfboard.
it comes with wedges so you can angle them down for a tighter feel if desired.
i am going to just use these and leave them loose as that is the way i like it (wait a minute, thats norty
)
i have photos but i cant get them under 200 to put on the site.
PM me if you want me to email em to ya.
Did you order them over the internet? Where did they come from. I am waiting for some to arrive at D'arcy surfboards at Currumbin on the Goldy. I have a new surfboard with no wax on it that I intend to put them on. I have seen the pics of them on the web site. Did you mount them on yourself? There apparently is a stick on plate that cannot be removed once you stick it on? 
yeh i stuck them on myself. it is easy as, just gotta clean surface as per instructions and then stick on and apply pressure round the edges.
if you are not sure email the guys, i am sure they are happy to speak about them as they were to me.
Steve is stocking these straps at Kitepower and they look sensational. There has been so much thought and effort put into the development and finish of this product that you'll be blown away. I'm ordering a 6'1" Darcy stick to put my set on. SWEET!!
Put a set on my Stonker 5'4 directional. Very nice. First few runs, thought I might end up with a blister, due to being a bit more free (loose) than regular straps. But once I got used to them, I think they'll be okay. More feel for the board now, felt better turning. Only had one session with them so far, looking forward to my next session. Seem like a pretty good product.
No vid action as yet. We seem to have bad luck with the wind and waves when a camera turns up at the beach. Went out on Saturday in 2m waves and 35kts wind. The camera opened and filled with sand, not good should have used the housing that was sitting in the car. I am hoping to hook up with a film maker on the Goldy after the nats for a few days to get some footage.
I have been using them for a while and I recon they sh!t on normal straps for your surfboard.
I usually ride without straps, but in some conditions I appreciate being locked in. On those days, I think the Predator straps are heaps better for a few reasons:
-They are easier to get into and out of.
-It is awesome to slide your back foot onto the tail when you get onto the wave - feels like your unstrapped. (no "wiggleing" out of the straps)
-They pivot from natural to goofy, rather than favouring one stance or being on the centre line.
If you ride your board for a while unstrapped, you will leave footprints in the wax. Then you know exactly where to stick the habitat insert to have the straps in the perfect position. Once you take the straps off, the habitat stays on the board, but its streamlined and it doesn't get in my way when I am unstrapped.
If you don't like being stuck into conventional straps, Predators are a big improvement!
i heard that CAUTION is the new west coast distributor.
can you shed any light on this rodney-pimp?
oh reahehehely?
always a comedian around. thanks hosko.
ill bolt em on ur twinnie and see how they go next downwinder
from all reports by people who have used them they are the easiest strap to jibe in because you do not aim your foot at a hole but at an area.
