Widened my stance, feels comfy and "locked-in" going 20 knots+ in strong winds. Easier for me to keep the power down pushing the outside of my feet against the footstraps. Don't need to move my feet.

Sometimes sail upwind and always downwind with my rear foot pushing against the leeward rear strap so stance kind of across the board.

I guess the wide stance is similar to kite foil racers.
Interested if anyone else has had similar positive experiences?

Stance is obviously a personal thing.

The problem with an "overly" wide stance is that, when you move your hips for those balance tweaks, it too easily translates to over-correction on your feet. Thus, a little hip movement results in a lot of change in the balance. Porpoising ensues. For me at least.

I have gone to a narrower stance, which moderates the hip effect. Of course, I have to get things balanced first. Less porpoising.

It's a good topic. We should all experiment with stance if we have not done so already.

I tend to a narrow stance, but vary it depending on what I'm doing - wider for cranking upwind for example. I don't run back straps, but maybe should try those open straps at the back one day - I have a pair in my spares box :)

I am about 24 in wide on my stance no real need to move my feet

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thedoor said..
I am about 24 in wide on my stance no real need to move my feet

Increased the footstrap spacing to the max on the 90L - 720cm/28in.
Stoked with it in strong winds to push max force through the foil.

I'll try it on my W114 to see what it feels like in lighter winds.
It might work - thinking marginal winds I can be mostly strapless with a narrow stance and widen my stance into the straps when the wind picks up or pushing speed over swells.


Give it a go, be interested what you think

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azymuth said..

thedoor said..
I am about 24 in wide on my stance no real need to move my feet

Increased the footstrap spacing to the max on the 90L - 720cm/28in.
Stoked with it in strong winds to push max force through the foil.

I'll try it on my W114 to see what it feels like in lighter winds.
It might work - thinking marginal winds I can be mostly strapless with a narrow stance and widen my stance into the straps when the wind picks up or pushing speed over swells.


Give it a go, be interested what you think

Wow 28inch. You must be in the winging strap inserts. I don't think I can get mine any further apart on my freestyle :). Currently my front foot is 12 from my universal too

720mm?
Is that between feet mid points?

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Te Hau said..
720mm?
Is that between feet mid points?

About 670mm between feet mid points

700mm across the board to leeward strap.

It's possible I find the wide stance useful to brace because I'm only using half-straps - mostly sail overpowered on the small board to get up on foil easily.