Hi all,

I'm considering adding footstraps to my DW board (94 kg without wetsuit, Naish DW 7'8" x 18 1/2" - 110L) and would really appreciate your thoughts.

My main objective is accurate, repeatable foot positioning when winging or parawinging - especially to improve pumping efficiency and precise board control during takeoff and touchdowns.

Since I'm not into paddle /SUP DW, I don't see a compelling reason to keep the deck completely clean if straps could add consistency and leverage.

I'm thinking about a low-profile insert setup with just 3 inserts for a V-strap, trying to keep it as streamlined and lightweight as possible.

Keen to hear real-world experience.



For context:
94 kg, 1.86 m. Foiling for 3.5 years
One-board quiver: custom mid-length 6'4" x 19" - 94L

I did exactly that on my Naish Hover Downwind 110L (also 7'8, but 20" wide) to make parawinging easier and it made a huge difference to how easy it was to balance and waterstart! It also makes board control a bit easier, but not so sure it helps pumping (though pumping while starting is a lot easier). I'm happy with the decision, it helped my learning process, though now I mostly ride my midlength board as the riding experience is much better.

I use NSI stick on inserts, they're great

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Jve said..
I did exactly that on my Naish Hover Downwind 110L (also 7'8, but 20" wide) to make parawinging easier and it made a huge difference to how easy it was to balance and waterstart! It also makes board control a bit easier, but not so sure it helps pumping (though pumping while starting is a lot easier). I'm happy with the decision, it helped my learning process, though now I mostly ride my midlength board as the riding experience is much better.

Cool how did you make it ? ....maybe with one of those ?

www.surfmarket.org/index.php?option=com_virtuemart&view=productdetails&virtuemart_product_id=15810&virtuemart_category_id=26&lang=es

Any advise not to screw up with the epoxy ?

thanks !

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Mikedubs said..
I use NSI stick on inserts, they're great

kiteboarding.com/proddetail.asp?prod=nsi_surface_mount_inserts

thanks

Get it done properly - I fix this stuff all the time
(1) sometimes heat affects the glue. Carbon gets really really hot.
(2) it doesn't take much to tear laminate up away from the foam. Even just a little. Your board has about a third or less laminate on the deck than a kiteboard. Then flex and board expansion/contraction makes the delam spread.
put chinook inserts in

Mark
MOzCustoms.

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FranP said..

Jve said..
I did exactly that on my Naish Hover Downwind 110L (also 7'8, but 20" wide) to make parawinging easier and it made a huge difference to how easy it was to balance and waterstart! It also makes board control a bit easier, but not so sure it helps pumping (though pumping while starting is a lot easier). I'm happy with the decision, it helped my learning process, though now I mostly ride my midlength board as the riding experience is much better.

Cool how did you make it ? ....maybe with one of those ?

www.surfmarket.org/index.php?option=com_virtuemart&view=productdetails&virtuemart_product_id=15810&virtuemart_category_id=26&lang=es

Any advise not to screw up with the epoxy ?

thanks !

I had a local board shaper do it for me, so can't help you with the details

My pwing board has footstraps which made learning to pwing relatively quite easy. As I progress, my key goals are to downwind and take advantage of the seabreeze driven swell in WA. I can't help but wonder if now that I'm reasonable competent on the pwing, that the fixed front foot position is holding me back from efficient swell riding and pumping. As the summer seabreezes start to fade here, I'll use the time to remove the footstraps and re-learn to ride without footstraps. Alot of pwing riders here ride strapless, especially those doing the downwind thing. Might be worth persevering with a strapless board unless the only goal is riding the pwing in/out on swells.