it takes a lifetime of consumerist propaganda to actually realize "right craft for the day/location"
lumpy hug day at margs or "that place" - straps or play don't go too fast tippie toes
nice clean down the line 4 ft (when does that ever happen..) - strapless
Good topic. Everytime I put the straps on I find I'm always in the wrong position on the board. I think unconsciously I move around a lot and I never notice till I'm stuck in the one spot. But, on a smackin wave perfectly set up, the straps seem to make you bullet proof :)
Would you ride your bike without pedals?
There is only one sweet spot on a sub six foot board and that's where the straps go.
Ignore me if you can stick a strapless boost and aren't the bloke getting in the way of other downwinders while you retrieve your board from the shorebreak.
Select to expand quoteChewa said..
Strapless is like sex without a condom
please practice safe kiting... use straps
Select to expand quoteChewa said..
Strapless is like sex with a hooker without a condom at your christamas work do.
You break out in a cold sweat, pray you don't catch a disease and hope like hell nobody saw you.
Select to expand quotehigh as a kite said..
Can't make up my mind. 
I only use the front strap.
... + 1 me too!
I use front strap 3/4 of the time because it helps me ride faster over choppy confused water. The other 1/4 of time, I'm in front and out of the strap when water not so choppy plus it helps me get upwind when underpowered!
Something interesting I found though,,,,, I can get over bigger meaner white water strapless,,,, probably because I hit it at slower speed,,,, when a big bad one comes,,,, I hop out of the straps,,,, is that weird?
Cheers,
Robbie :)
Select to expand quotePlummet said...Chewa said..
Strapless is like sex with a hooker without a condom at your christamas work do.
You break out in a cold sweat, pray you don't catch a disease and hope like hell nobody saw you.
Plumms Christmas work do hooker
Baahhhaaaa, baaaahhhaa
Select to expand quoteKBwhokbs said..
Would you ride your bike without pedals?
There is only one sweet spot on a sub six foot board and that's where the straps go.
Ignore me if you can stick a strapless boost and aren't the bloke getting in the way of other downwinders while you retrieve your board from the shorebreak.
Select to expand quotePlummet said...
Whats long and hard and farks Aussies?
?
Primary school.
Recently due to decreasing number of sheep, New Zealand farmers have been asked to find ways to increase the population.
But in the end they all pulled out.
Select to expand quotebjw said..Plummet said...
Whats long and hard and farks Aussies?
?
Primary school.
Recently due to decreasing number of sheep, New Zealand farmers have been asked to find ways to increase the population.
But in the end they all pulled out.
The intelligence of both countries increases slightly every time a New Zealander emigrates to Aus!
Select to expand quotePlummet said..bjw said..Plummet said...
Whats long and hard and farks Aussies?
?
Primary school.
Recently due to decreasing number of sheep, New Zealand farmers have been asked to find ways to increase the population.
But in the end they all pulled out.
The intelligence of both countries increases slightly every time a New Zealander emigrates to Aus!
And so does our national deficit.
Select to expand quoteKBwhokbs said..
Would you ride your bike without pedals?
There is only one sweet spot on a sub six foot board and that's where the straps go.
Ignore me if you can stick a strapless boost and aren't the bloke getting in the way of other downwinders while you retrieve your board from the shorebreak.
Totally wrong there is at least 2 sweet spots, one for on a wave and one for going back up wind, however there is actually a heap more.
99% of the time the strapless guy will go upwind better than a strapped guy, unless the strapped guy takes at least one foot out of the straps (or the straps are mounted to far forward for good wavering)
There is a reason stapped riders are usually always using a bigger kite then unstrapped riders and it because they have to overcome the inefficiency of being locked in one spot, usually this means stalling (dragging the arse of the board) when going back up wind.
Select to expand quotetightlines said..KBwhokbs said..
Would you ride your bike without pedals?
There is only one sweet spot on a sub six foot board and that's where the straps go.
Ignore me if you can stick a strapless boost and aren't the bloke getting in the way of other downwinders while you retrieve your board from the shorebreak.
Totally wrong there is at least 2 sweet spots, one for on a wave and one for going back up wind, however there is actually a heap more.
99% of the time the strapless guy will go upwind better than a strapped guy, unless the strapped guy takes at least one foot out of the straps (or the straps are mounted to far forward for good wavering)
There is a reason stapped riders are usually always using a bigger kite then unstrapped riders and it because they have to overcome the inefficiency of being locked in one spot, usually this means stalling (dragging the arse of the board) when going back up wind.
Hey Mr Tightlines, didnt know you still kite, but anyway, its wrong to say strapped guys use a bigger kite because they dont go upwind as well, most will actually take the back foot out to go upwind harder. Also move the front foot in and out of the front strap depending on windstrength etc. Just fully lock in to both straps when getting ready to hit the wave
And its more like wave kites have been developed to not pull the strapless guys off the board so easily, or you could say the strapped guy can hang on to more kite.
I don't subscribe to the whole 'if it's too windy or wavey use straps' concept. Learn a bit of kite or board control and you'll be set. If that's too hard, carry-on with the foot hooks. 
Select to expand quotesurfingboye said..
I don't subscribe to the whole 'if it's too windy or wavey use straps' concept. Learn a bit of kite or board control and you'll be set. If that's too hard, carry-on with the foot hooks.
Dudes, don't go learn'n your strapless act in nukin wind at my local pointbreak ...
drift downwind and practise at the gumby break.
We don't want a clusterfk in the zone, right ?
That strapless freedom feel wins hands down,but what ever blows ur hair back
Whats ur 2c on leashes in the zone slave?
Select to expand quotesurfingboye said...
I don't subscribe to the whole 'if it's too windy or wavey use straps' concept. Learn a bit of kite or board control and you'll be set. If that's too hard, carry-on with the foot hooks.
There has to be a tipping point where it becomes silly not to have straps.
Or maybe the chargers at Margs just need to learn some board and kite control? 
Hey look I am quite happy riding both ways.
Places like one eye Mauritius which is often big, fast and cross off I'd much rather be strapped as it is easier to bail out over the back, and I know you can hit it harder with less chance of stuffing up.
However for me I like the freedom of strapless.
From what I have seen over the years those from a windsurfing background like to ride strapped, those from a surfing background like to ride strapless.
Who really gives a **** as long as you are having fun.
Select to expand quotegcdave said..
Whats ur 2c on leashes in the zone slave?
The three things that totally fingered surfing are as follows :
1. Leg ropes
2. Surf schools
3. Sups
Select to expand quotesurfingboye said..
I don't subscribe to the whole 'if it's too windy or wavey use straps' concept. Learn a bit of kite or board control and you'll be set. If that's too hard, carry-on with the foot hooks.
Well that has pretty nicely summarised the whole thread in 50 words or less!
Select to expand quotewaveslave said..gcdave said..
Whats ur 2c on leashes in the zone slave?
The three things that totally fingered surfing are as follows :
1. Leg ropes
2. Surf schools
3. Sups
And the number 1 thing that is really F##%ed in surfing is the grumpy old F&%Ks (who undoubtedly wear very small shoes) that are way too past it to enjoy themselves and spend all their time floating around, moaning and glaring at the people who are actually having fun.
What these old pricks forget to realise is that even if Sups were never invented they would still be kooks !!
(and yes I just started this profile to troll people with but its here to stay so enjoy it 
)
Select to expand quotejackforbes said..surfingboye said..
I don't subscribe to the whole 'if it's too windy or wavey use straps' concept. Learn a bit of kite or board control and you'll be set. If that's too hard, carry-on with the foot hooks.
Well that has pretty nicely summarised the whole thread in 50 words or less!
Righto - please post your strapless footage @ 10+ foot Margs / 25 knots.
You too surfingboye
And maybe Laurie Towner etc should lose the straps towing in to massive Chopes. Get some board control Laurie!
Select to expand quoteYoungbreezy said...
(and yes I just started this profile to troll people with but its here to stay so enjoy it )
OMG ... a troll.
I laugh.
Select to expand quotebene313 said...
And maybe Laurie Towner etc should lose the straps towing in to massive Chopes. Get some board control Laurie!
And maybe Kelly or Mick should add some straps to their boards for Pipe and Cloudy (and Perth mush).
PS. Any chance you have any footage of you charging Chopes? 
PPS. Couldn't give a feck what anyone rides. Just know everyone gets defensive when it comes to foot hooks.
Select to expand quotePlummet said..bjw said..Plummet said...
Whats long and hard and farks Aussies?
?
Primary school.
Recently due to decreasing number of sheep, New Zealand farmers have been asked to find ways to increase the population.
But in the end they all pulled out.
The intelligence of both countries increases slightly every time a New Zealander emigrates to Aus!
How is the price of lamb in NZ?........... about $150 an hour i hear !!
I stopped trying to decide which is better long ago. Strawberry or chocolate, it's like having a debate over which tastes best. Who cares. Ride whichever works for you. Depending on my mood and or the conditions, I have one board left strapped (Naish Global) and the other strap free.
