I am a beginner into foiling and trying to establish set up for the front foot strap/s.
I have a very floaty board about 40 l.
Having watched numerous videos for beginners some have single front strap while others have 2.
With a very floaty board so far I find it a bit difficult getting my foot in the single strap.
2 straps looks easier but I have not tried this as yet.
Any advice/experience comments from thoes that have tried both set ups?
Thanks
2015/16 Alien Air?
Single strap is easy, I don't get it. When you're handling the board in the water, hold it by the edge poking out of the water and push it down, pull it back...easy.
Agree as no problem in one direction but in the other for some reason I can only start with back foot on first.
This causes board to turn down wind quickly before I get front foot in strap. While I manage I was thinking 2 front straps may help as I could hold onto the far front strap.
I hope I have made my issue clear however I am sure with bit more time on the water my problem will go.
I normally ride 25l surfboards strapless in surf so floaty board is very different.
Just hold onto the rail. You should be holding it so the foil parallel to the surface of the water, board standing on it's side...
Yes I understand that however should I start off in that edging position for a few meters before going flat.
My board is 21.5in wide and thick.
Select to expand quotewarwickl said..
Yes I understand that however should I start off in that edging position for a few meters before going flat.
My board is 21.5in wide and thick.
Yes..... having the board on it's edge as you start is okay. When you launch, The kite will lift up onto the board and this will naturally cause it to flatten out.
Thanks for that.
I have kited for so long and just no longer think about what I do this foiling is now possibly making me over think.
Being old and inflexible I have to start with board facing down wind. This gives me room to get front foot in then I can control board with foot while I get back foot in position. Trying to start with board cross wind is bad for me.
i would say just do whatever feels good for you but whether one front strap or two won't change much.
Select to expand quotewarwickl said..
Yes I understand that however should I start off in that edging position for a few meters before going flat.
My board is 21.5in wide and thick.
Yes and no.
If the wind is light, you're got a basic familiarity with the foil, you can edge it like a TT and build enough tension in the lines to pop up onto the foil almost instantly.
If you're not, edge to hold position in the water and tension on the lines, send the kite and use the edge as a fulcrum to get up and onto the board.
I've got a 2017 Alien Air. Less volume that the old one but still huge and floaty :o
I think 2 front straps is a lot more awkward than 1 especially if youre still learning. it wants to tilt the board back to your heel edge so it's great for going upwind, but not really much else. you lose a lot of toe edge control, and that control is helpful when you're still getting your balance perfected and occasionally tilting the board and falling.
The main purpose is just to make gybes easier so you can put your back foot into hte other front strap before taking your previous front foot out. With 1 strap you have to wiggle your foot out of the strap a little before you switch. Which is not really a big deal. Personally I hate riding with 2 front straps, easier gybes don't make up for the loss of edge control for me.
As far as edging while water starting, once you get comfortable foiling you can eventually water start straight up into your "edging upwind" posture, depending on how much power you have. I've done a lot of water starts where you are immediately foiling as soon as you're standing up and going upwind. But if you dont' have much power, or are still learning, it's best to get pulled straight up onto the board and ride it flat for a bit before nosing up and leaning back. It's mostly just muscle memory and how much power you have.
