Hi guys,
I've been starting to learn foiling transitions on my alien air/hoverglide board. I have been playing around with foot strap positions and recently switched from a single strap for the lead foot in the centre to two gybe straps (with no rear strap). The gybe straps certainly make the foot switching process easier for me, but I find that when going in a straight line I have to place my rear foot all the way onto the leeward rail to counterbalance my front foot being off centre.
Is this normal? How do people balance when they are also using a rear strap on the centre line of the board?
Select to expand quoteridgeydidge123 said..
Hi guys,
I've been starting to learn foiling transitions on my alien air/hoverglide board. I have been playing around with foot strap positions and recently switched from a single strap for the lead foot in the centre to two gybe straps (with no rear strap). The gybe straps certainly make the foot switching process easier for me, but I find that when going in a straight line I have to place my rear foot all the way onto the leeward rail to counterbalance my front foot being off centre.
Is this normal? How do people balance when they are also using a rear strap on the centre line of the board?
Good question. Placing the rear foot closer to the leeward rail could be a function of not having a rear strap. I think having a rear strap may allow a person to lever the board into a balanced position by pressing on the toes and trying to lift the heel. To try this without a strap would result in the heal lifting and no pressure being applied.
I'm foiling strapless and find when I'm riding toe side, my front foot heel is close to the leeward rail and my back foot toes are often curling over the foot pad on the windward rail. I seem to have my feet more evenly balanced through the centre of the board when riding heel side. I'm going to have to watch some videos of people foiling toe side to see how they position their fee because what I'm doing doesn't feel very comfortable or efficient to me.
Select to expand quoteridgeydidge123 said..
Hi guys,
I've been starting to learn foiling transitions on my alien air/hoverglide board. I have been playing around with foot strap positions and recently switched from a single strap for the lead foot in the centre to two gybe straps (with no rear strap). The gybe straps certainly make the foot switching process easier for me, but I find that when going in a straight line I have to place my rear foot all the way onto the leeward rail to counterbalance my front foot being off centre.
Is this normal? How do people balance when they are also using a rear strap on the centre line of the board?
Nothing wrong with having your foot over there it feels good. Am thinking rear strap is mostly for cranking up wind.
two front straps and good front foot pressure are key for strap to strap air gybes. also try to get as much float of your kite as possible.cheers
I think you will find the classic strap-to-strap foiling foot swaps difficult to do with a low performance kite and foil. You just don't get the lift from them to do the foot swap unless you are riding super powered up. Most people ride way underpowered on foils because of fear of the downwind face plant of death.
It is much easier for lower performance gear to bring your feet back to the balance point of the foil, usually a point around the middle of the board just in front of the mast. It's quite easy and comfortable to do with a little practice. That means the position of your straps is almost irrelevant. You move your feet to do the transition then finish off with your feet in the straps more as an adjustment.
Once you can do those with a fluid movement then you can work on strap-strap transitions.
Select to expand quoteGorgo said..
I think you will find the classic strap-to-strap foiling foot swaps difficult to do with a low performance kite and foil. You just don't get the lift from them to do the foot swap unless you are riding super powered up. Most people ride way underpowered on foils because of fear of the downwind face plant of death.
It is much easier for lower performance gear to bring your feet back to the balance point of the foil, usually a point around the middle of the board just in front of the mast. It's quite easy and comfortable to do with a little practice. That means the position of your straps is almost irrelevant. You move your feet to do the transition then finish off with your feet in the straps more as an adjustment.
Once you can do those with a fluid movement then you can work on strap-strap transitions.
Ok thanks, Ill definitely give the strapless gybe a go.
My main question was more related to foot position generally rather than during transitions - Maybe as Oldbones said, I just use a centered rear footstrap for cranking upwind and take the back foot out and place it on the leeward rail for downwind runs.
without front straps and a reference point ( backstrap) it is super hard, nearly impossible to gybe i reckon
