I have a 5'4" 95 fanatic sky board and have recently started using foot straps. I have set up two on the front in the forward most positions and one at the back also as far forward as it can go. I find the front straps are in the right place but the back strap is too far back. In fact it could be 20cm further forward as I like riding with a narrower stance. I'm keen to use front and back to help with pumping the board onto foil. I also have my mast quite far forward in the box which I find gives the right balance (using normal axis ultra short fuse).

Does anyone else find the rear strap positions too far back / is it worth putting in additional rear strap inserts?

I both have the same board and experience. Slowly managed to get somewhat used riding with (the feeling of having my) feet very far appart. Maybe the more recent models are better in this respect.

I kind of have a similar experience. The sweet spot for the board getting on foil is farther forward and yeah, with the right strap spacing they're farther back

if I'm under powered I get up in front of straps then move back to ride. I find feet back when riding strapped is nice since I'm ya know strapped and can cantilever my weight forward to get out of hairy situations (overfoiling) and the rest of the time I just have extra extra front foot pressure which is a treat.

i guess I've adapted to it but now I really like it. It forces me into a better position for ripping turns. If I ride without straps now my back leg just feels cooked put the gate.

I Ride foil slammed forward.

95L is relatively big board. You have to move your back foot for transitions. Staying in rear strap will be too limiting. Rear strap on those board for jumping, that why it's so far back. Look at pro-riders: on "big boards" they ride back foot upfront of rear strap, and they put back foot into strap when they going to jump - for extra leverage and control.

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motogon said..
Look at pro-riders: on "big boards" they ride back foot upfront of rear strap, and they put back foot into strap when they going to jump - for extra leverage and control.

That seemed to be standard for all riders in the freestyle competitions that I watched, regardless of board size. It's obvious why they need back straps for jumping, and the far back position supports the takeoff for jumps. For just cruising around or carving, I can see the benefit of front straps, but not really for the back straps.

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boardsurfr said..

motogon said..
Look at pro-riders: on "big boards" they ride back foot upfront of rear strap, and they put back foot into strap when they going to jump - for extra leverage and control.

That seemed to be standard for all riders in the freestyle competitions that I watched, regardless of board size. It's obvious why they need back straps for jumping, and the far back position supports the takeoff for jumps. For just cruising around or carving, I can see the benefit of front straps, but not really for the back straps.

That's how the local guys ride that board. Only putting their back foot into the strap right before jumping, otherwise ride with it in front of the strap.

As others have said - rear strap is only for jumping. It doesn't make sense to cruise around in both straps. Your stance will be too wide (like you've pointed out).
I have the exact same board and only put my foot in the rear strap for jumps. If I'm riding swells and not going to jump, I just take the rear strap off for those ocean sessions.

A half-hook footstrap might help to extend the range of the rear inserts and give you an idea if you want additional inserts. I used one attached to the frontmost rear inserts on my board and it was roughly in the right place (different board though). It also has the advantage that it's easy to ride with your foot forward of the strap and you can slide it into the hook if you need extra control. I think I prefer to only use a front strap, but it's hard to know what you'll like without trying out the different options.

I tend to move my back foot forward for pumping and further back for going faster, so didn't find the back hook helped with pumping.

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Nikita said..
As others have said - rear strap is only for jumping. It doesn't make sense to cruise around in both straps. Your stance will be too wide (like you've pointed out).
I have the exact same board and only put my foot in the rear strap for jumps. If I'm riding swells and not going to jump, I just take the rear strap off for those ocean sessions.

Plenty cruise around with both straps with no issues. It looks more like board inserts were not designed properly in this case especially if your stance is too wide. That being said you can definitely ride with one strap only. You just have to be cautious as knee/ankle injury are more likely in a crash especially with big boards.

Most pros ride swell with both straps or strapless. Riding waves with one strap only sounds like recipe for disaster to me.

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rseeg said..
I have a 5'4" 95 fanatic sky board and have recently started using foot straps. I have set up two on the front in the forward most positions and one at the back also as far forward as it can go. I find the front straps are in the right place but the back strap is too far back. In fact it could be 20cm further forward as I like riding with a narrower stance. I'm keen to use front and back to help with pumping the board onto foil. I also have my mast quite far forward in the box which I find gives the right balance (using normal axis ultra short fuse).

Does anyone else find the rear strap positions too far back / is it worth putting in additional rear strap inserts?

I started winging on the 95 Sky Wing. When I first started thinking about putting the straps on, I would look down to ensure my feet were roughly where the straps would go. My front feet were mostly right, but my rear foot seemed to be always well forward of where the rear strap would be. I thought I'd try the back strap and see how it went. After a few sessions it just somehow seemed very natural. No problems at all. I'm now on the 75l Sky Wing and would hate to be without the straps. Just give it try, you'll get used to it very quickly

Thanks for all the helpful replies... will keep trying to use the back straps.