getting in the straps

[joe_windsurfer]

we live in a lite wind region
as such i use my longboard more than 50 % of the time
when i do go on the shorter board {rather than short board } the wind may be gutsy {rather than gusty } and as such i may have difficulty practicing the footstraps

my idea was to make sure i at least used the front one

and THEN i read here on the forum where one fellow mentioned to make sure to ALWAYS use both straps - and a person responding seemed to iterate that

so, is it dangerous to ride in only the front strap ??
news ta me ...

thx
http://joewindsurfer.com

[swchandler]

To optimize a board's performance capabilities, it's important to be in both the front and rear straps. Of course, the conditions can make that tough sometimes. Yet, the way a planing board is designed, to get the most out of the rockerline, or planing surface, it's necessary to be properly positioned in relation to it. If you're too far forward on the board, you end up pushing water by not allowing the board to reduce its waterline. Fast is less board in the water.

I don't know if you have recognized it, but once you get into that back strap, the board just gets up and goes. Moreover, you're in a position to really take advantage of the fin, which greatly improves directional drive and and overall speed. Also, you're well anchored to get the most from your rig.

[isobars]

The front strap provides no protection against getting catapulted, and the front foot can be severely injured, even to the point of permanent disability, if it does not release in a fall, especially a forward or twisting fall. The back foot, OTOH, can prevent catapults if strapped in, and I've never had my back foot fail to release in a fall. Just last week I talked with a WSer whose foot was in a huge walking cast from a forward fall with only his front foot in its strap. He said he can sail again, but a bud of his will never be able to sail again due to the same kind of fall with a slightly more severe injury. There are dozens of hard and soft parts in the top of our arches; injure too many of them, injure the wrong one severely, or visit the wrong orthopedist, and yer screwed.

Now ... do you REALLY want to sail with just your front foot strapped in? Thousands of people do, and many get away with it. I have often sailed with just one foot in its strap, for various reasons including gusty/holey winds, on everything from 240 to 55 liters, but it's always the back foot, not the front one. I've grown to like my ankles and feet, and have no reason to sail with only the front one strapped in. I have zero problems putting my weight wherever it needs to be with my back foot strapped in.

Mike \m/

[swchandler]

"so, is it dangerous to ride in only the front strap ??"


No, as long as you don't insert your foot too far into the strap. Because of my high insteps, I find that sticking your foot in such that the straps are positioned to cross over the junction of the toes to the foot, or the ball of the foot. While many wave sailors argue that a deeper positioning of the foot into the straps facilitates board control, it's not necessary for most sailing conditions and is generally much safer overall not to have too much of your foot into the strap.

[U2U2U2]

you can feel the reaction of being in the straps, by just the front, with the rear foot just ahead of the strap and across the board.

if you worry about all the the things that "could" happen you will stay in your beach chair with a Corona.

OTOH you will experience the entire feeling of both in the straps.

to get the rear in you need to be aggressive, not in the actions , but the thought process, try to slide rather than life the foot, maintaining contact with the board, twist on the heel to slide into the strap.

you have so much more control with both feet in.

[xander.arch]

When getting in the straps its important to bear very slightly off the wind. Then with a straight front arm push down and forward with your front hand (mast hand) and sheet in and pull slightly up with your back hand. This will help keep the tail from sinking down as you are using the mast to balance the board nose to tail. Keep in mind that you have three points of balance on the board - your left foot, your right foot, and your mast. Use your mast. Its like a cane. Think fred astaire. Once you get the feel for keeping the board flat with the rig your footwork will follow.

[jingebritsen]

there are lots of folks that put their front foot in first then the back at their leisure. a few believe that both is important ASAP. a very few insist on back strap first. in FL, those that back foot first seem to either quit, or remain stuck with really huge gear, even on "windier" days.

never have i personally seen anyone getting hurt by doing the FFF. only one individual on these forums thinks that happens lots. seen lots smash their boards by insisting on hooking in first. lots get mauled by surf when they insist on trying 2 foot water starts as they learned at the gorge.

there are a few dogmas in light wind venues that seem to give those sailors an edge in other venues. early planing is the best (read pump to plane.)

[isobars]

[isobars]

[U2U2U2]

one of my instructors gave me the advise if it is really howling, put the back foot in first, on rare occasion I still do that, it settles things down alot
but don't normally use or even advocate