Footstrap safety mechanisms

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Created by

TomDW 7 months ago, 27 Jul 2025

TomDW

63 posts

27 Jul 2025 3:18pm

Would like to hear from those who use (or used) it what the actual experiences are with the footstrap safety mechanisms, e.g. the one from Bartlett Components or other makes if available. I live in Europe and have not seen them into practice, but considering investing in a set.

- are the comfortable? The chunk on one side touching the side of the foot does not seem comfortable, but maybe not such an issues since less forces than in regular windsurfing
- unvoluntary opening?
- do thew hold up over time? Review on this forum I read dates from 3y ago.
- .

I cannot find a lot of info on these and have never seen any in real life, so they have not gained wide acceptance. However I had a pretty scary crash the other day where I was unable to get my foot out of the strap, and have heard of a number of foot/ankle/leg injuries in windfoiling, since they are quite pricey and not distributed in Europe I would like to get some user feedback.

A good safety system IMO should release both when falling forward (eg during a catapult) and falling backward (as happened to me, overstretching the ankle)

BSN101

2378 posts

27 Jul 2025 4:47pm

Why did you crash? Best fix this than change straps and continue. I run my straps quite loose on the foil and find in big oopsies my feet release quite well. Whiplash has always been a concern for me but I can't not have a harness so I'm getting betterer and reducing crashes and hurting myself.

John340

QLD

3373 posts

27 Jul 2025 8:05pm

Select to expand quote

TomDW said..
Would like to hear from those who use (or used) it what the actual experiences are with the footstrap safety mechanisms, e.g. the one from Bartlett Components or other makes if available. I live in Europe and have not seen them into practice, but considering investing in a set.

- are the comfortable? The chunk on one side touching the side of the foot does not seem comfortable, but maybe not such an issues since less forces than in regular windsurfing
- unvoluntary opening?
- do thew hold up over time? Review on this forum I read dates from 3y ago.
- .

I cannot find a lot of info on these and have never seen any in real life, so they have not gained wide acceptance. However I had a pretty scary crash the other day where I was unable to get my foot out of the strap, and have heard of a number of foot/ankle/leg injuries in windfoiling, since they are quite pricey and not distributed in Europe I would like to get some user feedback.

A good safety system IMO should release both when falling forward (eg during a catapult) and falling backward (as happened to me, overstretching the ankle)

I've used my Bartlett Components quick release foot straps for 2 years. Prior to this I had injured my ankles twice, both times the board tilted leeward as I fell to windward, with my foot trapped in the strap.

I've had a number of awkward dismounts since where the strap has released and touch wood, no ankle injuries.

With regard to comfort, I wear booties and hence don't notice the chunky mechanism.

Like ski bindings and quick release bike pedals, they are adjustable. I started off loose and slowly tightened over a number of sessions.

TomDW

63 posts

27 Jul 2025 6:10pm

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John340 said..

Thx John, to the point. May I ask what you mean by the awkward dismounts? Was that due to the strap safety engaging prematurely (ie releasing inadvertently)? My crash type was the same as you describe and happened inadvertently, not something I can really avoid if it should occur (rarely in my case, but once is enough to cause severe injury).

I put my straps very loose like on a waveboard so can normally get in and out easily, but also my foot slides in deeply up to my ankle and when the board tilts there is no way I can bail out

John340

QLD

3373 posts

27 Jul 2025 8:42pm

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TomDW said..

John340 said..

Thx John, to the point. May I ask what you mean by the awkward dismounts? Whas that due to the strap safety engaging prematurely (ie releasing inadvertently)? My crash type was the same as you describe and happened inadvertently, not something I can really avoid if it shoul occur (rarely in my case, bit once is enough to cause severe injury).

I put my straps very loose like on a waveboard so can normally get in and out easily, but also my foot slides in deeply up to my ankle and when the board tilts there is no way I can bail out

Tom, when riding waves on the foil, there are lots of things happening with the wind and swell, sometimes things get out of hand, so there are many ways to get out of control, especially when the wind is over 20kts and the bumps are over boom high.

Breaches, catapults, back slams, you name it, I've done it. The quick release handles them all. For me premature release has not been a problem.

Mark _australia

23526 posts

27 Jul 2025 7:37pm

I don't understand quick release foot straps

wave and freestyle sailors have big crashes all the time and most people will severely sprain or break an ankle over 20 yrs of going hard.
Yet we all choose to not adopt the many so called wonderful footstrap options that keep cropping up every decade or so.

So why is wind foiling or wingfoiling any different? The latter keeps getting excited about releasing footstraps or 'different' harness lines that really aren't but I think windsurfers are a bit more pragmatic.
so why is a windfoil crash worse than wave or freestyle finning.? And thus necessitate funky straps..?

TomDW

63 posts

27 Jul 2025 8:46pm

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Mark _australia said..
I don't understand quick release foot straps

wave and freestyle sailors have big crashes all the time and most people will severely sprain or break an ankle over 20 yrs of going hard.
Yet we all choose to not adopt the many so called wonderful footstrap options that keep cropping up every decade or so.

So why is wind foiling or wingfoiling any different? The latter keeps getting excited about releasing footstraps or 'different' harness lines that really aren't but I think windsurfers are a bit more pragmatic.
so why is a windfoil crash worse than wave or freestyle finning.? And thus necessitate funky straps..?

With 40 yrs windsurfing shortboards mostly in waves and just 2 seasons windfoiling on flat water I ve definitely noticed differences. Anyway not wanting to get into that discussion, just looking for feedback on release mechanisms, thx :-)

Subsonic

3384 posts

27 Jul 2025 10:02pm

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Well, i agree that wing foilers are strange.

Now thats out of the way, i guess the extra fear and actual footstrap related accidents come in when you do something unco, eg: fall in backwards and the board (up on the foil don't forget) decides to topple the other way.Theres a lot more weight/surface area and leverage working for it to not topple in the same way you are like a wave board might. And theres enough leverage and weight in the foil and board to break ankles (i've watched a mate have an accident almost exactly like what i described above, it was pretty horrific)

99 percent of the time you don't have those unco moments, your muscle memory kicks in and your feet disengage. But that one time it doesn't go that way is all it takes.

having said all that, i've not ever felt the inspiration to install "safety straps", but i can see why people do. Skiffies tend to use materials for their footstraps that they know will snap in the event of things going wrong, most of the time in the form of flimsy rubber. could be worth considering for windfoiling, you could get away with something even flimsier than what they use since its rare to actually apply any weight to them whilst foiling.

John340

QLD

3373 posts

28 Jul 2025 4:12am

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I had no ankle injuries in 40 years of windsurfing and 2 injuries in my first 6 months of foiling. I think the difference is that compared to the fin, the foil is an anchor that keeps the board flat, so if you fall in to windward with a foot stuck in the strap, you hyper extend the ankle ligaments.

thedoor

2487 posts

28 Jul 2025 9:30am

It's a very valid concern. My foil straps are humungous and still there are some sketchy situations

WillyWind

582 posts

28 Jul 2025 9:55am

This is what I have: ventores.com/pages/footstrap

I haven't catapulted since I bought them so I cannot tell you much about them except that they are not uncomfortable. You can adjust the spring mechanism pressure release to your needs/like. I bought them from a German store (haiku-sports) and arrived to the US very quickly.

Mark _australia

23526 posts

28 Jul 2025 7:17pm

Yeah ok now I'm seeing it. the torque applied by foil mast .. or the anchoring effect of it

so is strap use silly if you're not jumping?

John340

QLD

3373 posts

28 Jul 2025 10:39pm

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Mark _australia said..
Yeah ok now I'm seeing it. the torque applied by foil mast .. or the anchoring effect of it

so is strap use silly if you're not jumping?

Not for me.

BullroarerTook

305 posts

28 Jul 2025 9:34pm

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Mark _australia said..
Yeah ok now I'm seeing it. the torque applied by foil mast .. or the anchoring effect of it

so is strap use silly if you're not jumping?

Say rather 'optional'. After my injury I went strapless (thanks to others leading the way) and don't regret it at all. There was an adjustment period, but now carrying the board is the only time I miss them.

thedoor

2487 posts

28 Jul 2025 10:17pm

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WillyWind said..
This is what I have: ventores.com/pages/footstrap

I haven't catapulted since I bought them so I cannot tell you much about them except that they are not uncomfortable. You can adjust the spring mechanism pressure release to your needs/like. I bought them from a German store (haiku-sports) and arrived to the US very quickly.

They look very cool. Great that people are doing R&D on these things.

YellowHelmet

109 posts

29 Jul 2025 3:35am

I use the footstrap safety mechanism of Bartlett Components.

The mechanism is on the rear of the foot strap.

I don't feel it but I use boots.

They open when falling frontwards and backwards (as opposed to the French system of Franck).

I can adjust them with a key.

When it opens I bang it back in place.

It gives confidence and maybe makes me do more silly and stupid stuff.

I don't use them for windsurfing. I know in windsurfing there is debate between narrow footstraps and wind footstraps. I wave windsurf medium or more narrow opening. It's a question of preference and maybe safety. I would only be afraid of very wide open footstrap your foot could get in over the ankle.

I think there is more chance of injury when windfoiling because of the height and the leverage. The height increases the speed of the fall movement.

I also have the Free Fall Hook of Franck (also satisfied especially combined with the footstrap safety, often they open together). On his website www.free-ride-addicted.fr/e-boutique/boucle-free-fall/#&gid=1&pid=1there are some tables of the increase in speed of the fall because of the foil + video of Nicolas Goyard :

of a catapult with the Free Fall Hook.

Living in Europe the only problem was the import taxes for the safety mechanism of Bartlett Components, and this was prior to the tariff story.

Why ski safety bindings, why seat belts, etc.

TomDW

63 posts

29 Jul 2025 1:42pm

Thanks all, great input. Was indeed pondering about import into Europe being compicated in case ofb artlett mechanism

the german ventores look well engineered but also appear rather chunky (clunky if you will). A bit uncertain about ordering them

WsurfAustin

659 posts

30 Jul 2025 12:01am

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TomDW said..
Thanks all, great input. Was indeed pondering about import into Europe being compicated in case ofb artlett mechanism

the german ventores look well engineered but also appear rather chunky (clunky if you will). A bit uncertain about ordering them

Hi Tom.
I use shipstation for international shipping. No issues so far shipping thus far to England, Denmark, Norway, Germany, Belgium, New Zealand and Australia.

-Matt

WsurfAustin

659 posts

30 Jul 2025 4:11am

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To address some of the questions in the thread...
(In my Experience) There are many awkward ways to fall wind foiling as opposed to windsurfing. A lot of of my crashed start with the board 1 meter above the surface of the water, and that 1 meter lever attached to my ankle. I never had a strap issue windsurfing starting in 75'. This is lake sailing, not wave jumping, loops etc. for reference. I designed these after a couple major sprains with foot straps. Maybe I have old ankles and small sticky monkey feet IDK. I loved foiling, but this was going to be a show stopper. ER visits, and worse. recovery time while the wind blows. There are foilers that do just fine strapless, but I prefer the extra control and secure feeling carving around in a strap.

Design Criteria:
1. Lowest profile possible. If I could feel it with my feet, no deal. I wear an 8.5/41 shoe. I cant tell they are there. One customer with large feet
commented he had more strap adjustment with the stack height ( I had not considered this aspect).
2. Adjustable force retention to fine tune the release pressure.
3. Release from any angular force due to all the odd ways to fall (not just catapults).
4. Absolute reliability and repeatability. I've been using for 3 years and have not touched the adjuster after dialed in.
5. longevity, precision machined from UV stabilized composite materials. I wasn't willing to compromise in this, hence the cost.
6. Ease of use resetting the system after a crash. Simply bump it back in with you palm. I've been using them long enough to put it back in
with my foot after uphauling/water starting on a 90L board (because I didn't feel it pop out during a hard crash and didn't notice till I was
already good to re launch). Not easy but can be done.

Just got this from a winger in San Diego recently who uses my FCS.

Hi Matt,

Just wanted to share some pics with you about an epic fall I had the other day. Your footstrap release system saved my ankle, thanks a lot!

Best,

Atil

FranckG31

39 posts

1 Aug 2025 9:08pm

My system
www.free-ride-addicted.fr/e-boutique/fixations-de-securite-pour-footstraps/

It works great for windfoiling but won't protect you against hyperextension of the ankle as it realeases only forward. It's also easy to clip back on by hand.
On windfoiling, as the sail mast prevents the board from flipping over, backwards falls should not lead to ankle injuries.
There's users guides on the webpage.
As forces are very different forward or backwards, If you set a system low enough for backwards fall then, it is likely to open in navigation.

(By the way, the Free-fall-hook is now under Patrik brand and should reach the market soon).

MobZ

NSW

490 posts

15 Aug 2025 10:44pm

Epic vid above of Nicolas Goyard crash. Wowsers. Yeah nah i was only joking about being interested in foil speed sailing.

I've seen someone doing nearly 30kts on a wing at Yamba and although it looked like standing on a flying bar stool, it didn't look anything as bad as that Goyard vid when crashing.
I've seen someone 'hit a fish' on a windfoil at Myall lake at nealry 30kts and the thing turned into a bucking bronco / angry flying dragon. The sailor hung on and got wet without too much slap.

I agree with subsonic agreeing with mark that winging is weird. Windfoiling is weird too. What's most weird is that i just got hit with a serious case of wing fever. All i can think about is winging now and i've never winged. I've got one and it has sat there for many months while i satisfied the windfoil thing. If i can find a pump in the morning....

After no crashes while learning to windfoil, almost always in good control, i got this faster foil and now that i'm pushing a bit i keep crashing as i bear away, the thing rises the faster i go, it comes to windward a bit then bam, breach.

Good example of discussed crashes in this vid.
I remember feeling like 'oh no i'm going to hurt my foot here as it's is stuck and i'm going down'. Not nice. Scary. Foot / ankle got hurt, but fitness helped me there i reckon. No damage to body, mind might be a bit hesitant now, hmm.

Release straps seem like a good idea. But like a fin board, when i got on one for the first time i thought it deadly to strap in and hook in. But with TOW of 4 years or so, i got used to it. Difference with foiling is i'm tying to get used to it much faster. Lucky i had loose front strap. I'd been thinking about tightening it and adding back strap getting ready for the hand drag career, i may postpone that..
3:10 slo mo
7:10 real speed

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