Forums > Windsurfing General

Quick release foot straps

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Created by Surfing Uk 5 months ago, 24 Jun 2025
Surfing Uk
175 posts
24 Jun 2025 2:34AM
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I would really like to be able to change my footstrap strap options on my dyno from wave to blasting but I just never do as it's a faff and takes to much time. As anyone ever tried to come up with a solution for a quicker way ?

foolonhill
11 posts
24 Jun 2025 3:02AM
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Nothing as far as know but it did exist in the past (90's). I guess it was fanatic that proposed half turn lockers instead of the footstrap screws. Not very efficient or reliable in my souvenir but I'm sure it could be reworked.Changing the straps positiosn quick and easy would permit to adapt our boards to the changing conditions, and the freewaves are of course the most concerned.

SurferKris
474 posts
24 Jun 2025 4:43AM
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I had a Surfpartner Ray in the late 80-ties that had a quick system without and screws. The end of the footstrap was twisted 90 degrees in order to change the position and depth/length.

Yawning
42 posts
24 Jun 2025 6:02AM
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Battery powered screwdriver ?

Basher
590 posts
24 Jun 2025 7:12AM
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You shouldn't need to adjust your footstraps from session to session - unless maybe you wear boots, but then don't wear them.

The usual key to footstrap comfort is to make them narrow but high - so they grip the sides of your feet when you want more push, but when you want to get weight over the board you can put the windward foot further in, while knowing it won't get jammed.

Mark _australia
WA, 23435 posts
24 Jun 2025 7:36AM
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Basher you didn't read the question.

Imax1
QLD, 4924 posts
24 Jun 2025 10:14AM
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The concept is great and would be loved by everyone. It's obviously not an easy thing to do or it would be done. Constantly screwing in and out of plastic plugs quickly flogs out the holes, especially where there is sand involved. Easily cross threading will munt the hole even quicker, easily done with a battery powered screwdriver. I wonder how they go at hire centres where they would constantly change straps?
I remember those twist in straps. Great when we were happy to have straps at all. Not now when we don't want the straps to twist. It could be done in a really solid kind of way. The plugs would have to be large and solid, and so would the strap ends, but who wants to add half a kilo or more to their board? Not to mention the cost. If it was made in a small lighter tight tolerance way, they would quickly flog out and jam with sand. It would be a good invention. ?

Manuel7
1309 posts
24 Jun 2025 8:42AM
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I would buy two boards
Bic had a system, didn't work, straps would twist.

Basher
590 posts
24 Jun 2025 9:21AM
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Mark _australia said..
Basher you didn't read the question.



I did, actually. I'm pointing out he's inventing a problem where he may be asking the wrong question.
Most of us only adjust straps when changing footwear.

decrepit
WA, 12761 posts
24 Jun 2025 10:04AM
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I've had my wave board up to 33kts, felt fast enough without moving the straps.
You just have to get your weight back a bit more, so it sits on the tail.
I don't think moving the straps would have got any more speed, it was the wave rocker slowing it down.

Yawning
42 posts
24 Jun 2025 10:18AM
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Basher said..

Mark _australia said..
Basher you didn't read the question.

I did, actually. I'm pointing out he's inventing a problem where he may be asking the wrong question.
Most of us only adjust straps when changing footwear.


Basher ,
So you are saying that the Dyno doesn`t have in-board and out-board back foot strap options ?
Or that once he has inserted the back strap/s , that`s it , he locked in to either wave or slalom blasting ?
Not clear on what you are telling him to do with his versatile board .

jdfoils
431 posts
24 Jun 2025 10:22AM
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decrepit said..
I've had my wave board up to 33kts, felt fast enough without moving the straps.



Wave rally world champion!

( unless there was a powerbox involved)

Basher
590 posts
24 Jun 2025 10:34AM
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Yawning said..

Basher said..


Mark _australia said..
Basher you didn't read the question.


I did, actually. I'm pointing out he's inventing a problem where he may be asking the wrong question.
Most of us only adjust straps when changing footwear.



Basher ,
So you are saying that the Dyno doesn`t have in-board and out-board back foot strap options ?
Or that once he has inserted the back strap/s , that`s it , he locked in to either wave or slalom blasting ?
Not clear on what you are telling him to do with his versatile board .


Well, I've had three Dynos, and my choice was to choose one footstrap option or the other, but never both. And it depends on the board size, and on your sailing location.
If you keep changing location or sailing conditions, then the proper answer will be to have two boards.

Mark _australia
WA, 23435 posts
24 Jun 2025 1:03PM
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Yeah and the idea is you move the strap position from freeride to wave use.
so yes different day different spot you don't use two boards! but yeah moving straps can be a mission if they're tight and 8 screws isn't fun when in a hurry to sail so I get the frustration

Yawning
42 posts
24 Jun 2025 1:24PM
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Surfing Uk said..
I would really like to be able to change my footstrap strap options on my dyno from wave to blasting but I just never do as it's a faff and takes to much time. As anyone ever tried to come up with a solution for a quicker way ?


Well , looks like you`re buying a second board !

Imax1
QLD, 4924 posts
24 Jun 2025 4:40PM
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Remember the old boards that had 4 front straps and three down the centre at the back? Talk about tripping hazards!

decrepit
WA, 12761 posts
24 Jun 2025 3:47PM
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jdfoils said..
Wave rally world champion!

( unless there was a powerbox involved)

No US Box.
But I have the backstrap loose for wave riding, and arch my foot for grip if my foot is a bit more outboard.

I'd had a bit of an injury, I didn't want full on speed gear for my first session back, so took it a bit easier on wave gear.

PhilUK
1098 posts
24 Jun 2025 3:49PM
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We have had the same old plastic/resin holes for years you can destroy if you move the straps and dont get the screw going down the previously cut thread properly. Moving the straps can be beneficial for all types of windsurfing as conditions can vary. When I get a new board putting the straps on always makes me nervous as if you muck it up its a load of hassle to fix.
As others have mentioned, BIC/Fanatic had a quick release system like a d'zus motorcycle fairing arrangement as below. Why did they stop these QR straps? Unreliable, rusted, or they felt they added too much weight at a time they were going nuts over the lightest board on the market? There must be a similar reliable setup which could be designed for boards.

I'd like these on my Exocet Cross 94l, as its a versatile board, like the Dyno. 4 straps for flatter water blasting with a larger fin, so you can put your foot on the rail to control the fin. 3 straps for wave sailing with a wave fin. You need just the 1 back strap so you can get more pressure on the inside rail to turn. I do actually have a smaller 90l FSW for wave sailing, but 1 of the main reasons is the faff involved moving the straps on the Exocet. It would be great to be able to move them in a couple of minutes without risking cross threading a plug.

www.speedyfasteners.com/products/dzus-quarter-turn-fastener-d-ring-handle-zinc-studs-no-receptacle




Surfing Uk
175 posts
25 Jun 2025 4:07AM
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Thanks for the answers guys , I guess I was dreaming up some sort of mini carbon tracks that you can slide t nuts in (a bit like foil tracks).
Just in case anyone didn't fully understand the reason for me moving/ adding my straps ,it was for blasting in flattish / choppy water with 4 straps set outboard and single fin or wave sessions with 3 inboard and tri fin.
The dyno really is such a great versatile board .

Surfing Uk
175 posts
25 Jun 2025 4:13AM
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I guess it's the two board option then

Imax1
QLD, 4924 posts
25 Jun 2025 6:56AM
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Surfing Uk said..
Thanks for the answers guys , I guess I was dreaming up some sort of mini carbon tracks that you can slide t nuts in (a bit like foil tracks).
Just in case anyone didn't fully understand the reason for me moving/ adding my straps ,it was for blasting in flattish / choppy water with 4 straps set outboard and single fin or wave sessions with 3 inboard and tri fin.
The dyno really is such a great versatile board .


Most of us understood the reason for moving straps. A mini sliding T nut system could be a great idea. It wouldn't add too much weight and you could use two screws at each end of the strap to stop twisting. I like it

Grantmac
2313 posts
25 Jun 2025 6:41AM
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A T track would be great but you'd be able to move straps in one axis only.

Awalkspoiled
WA, 531 posts
25 Jun 2025 7:47AM
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Not a perfect solution but to preserve the longevity of the inserts - when you insert the screw turn it backwards until you feel it click down, then tighten it up normally. This makes it more likely that you're using the previously created threads rather than cutting new ones. I use a ratcheting hand driver which speeds it up a little, but allows me to feel when things are going askew.

Mark _australia
WA, 23435 posts
25 Jun 2025 12:20PM
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^^^ yes and a rule for any fastener to avoid cross threading I am surprised it's not more commonly done. but as even more reassurance to folks I've had boards with screws in and out so many times and I mean really old extra hire stuff with a ton of use and they're fine. Only guessing here but as the PT screw used cuts a thread without removing material, it's not a big drama if you do cross thread it later. It will cut a new thread and force the ductile plastic into the old grooves, still holding well.

Surfing Uk
175 posts
26 Jun 2025 4:01AM
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Grantmac said..
A T track would be great but you'd be able to move straps in one axis only.


Unless they were slightly curved .
forwards and up , down and back .
although it's getting a little to technical!

Imax1
QLD, 4924 posts
26 Jun 2025 6:40AM
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Velcro

Basher
590 posts
26 Jun 2025 10:53AM
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Mark _australia said..
Yeah and the idea is you move the strap position from freeride to wave use.
so yes different day different spot you don't use two boards! but yeah moving straps can be a mission if they're tight and 8 screws isn't fun when in a hurry to sail so I get the frustration



OK. (And I got that, from the original post.)
So what's your solution? And one that doesn't add significant weight to the board?
In the real world, there isn't one.

Imax1
QLD, 4924 posts
26 Jun 2025 1:39PM
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Grantmac said..
A T track would be great but you'd be able to move straps in one axis only.



Yes , but you could perfectly adjust the strap angle.

What about if you have two ,( strap width apart ),2" indexing disks with a strap mounting hole out to the side. Undo the centre screw to be able to spin the disks. That way you would have a 4" movement , in out ,back and front.
May need more thought.

Mark _australia
WA, 23435 posts
26 Jun 2025 5:35PM
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Basher said.. So what's your solution? And one that doesn't add significant weight to the board?
In the real world, there isn't one.


My point is the FSW is the solution for many folks. A lot of folks. No two board solution .... Just put in a big single fin and move straps for blasting. Thruster and inboard straps for some wave use, albeit not full on DTL riding but some are not bad.


My FSW 122L for me (same rocker as Dyno and 3S so nothin weird) - back when I was a bit heavier - 34cm Freeride fin, outboard straps, 7.5m No cam freeride blasting from 16kn upwards.
SAME DAY - 12.5 sidies, 24 centre, 5m wavesailing in 25-28kn. Most normal sized dudes on 70-80L and 4 to 4.5. Yes proper waveriding albeit a bit stiff.

Some days as soon as it was a little bit of a handful when blasting I only changed the fin set and stuck with the big sail - still outboard straps.

So yeah they can, and its annoying to move the straps so much so the OP has a valid question about if there is a better way. I'd have thought as a SV ambassador (?) you'd be all over the Dyno versatility and telling it here?


Your suggestion is like saying don't tune sails just buy more of them, have 7 instead of 5 sails

PhilUK
1098 posts
26 Jun 2025 6:12PM
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Imax1 said..
Velcro


Magnetic

PhilUK
1098 posts
26 Jun 2025 6:34PM
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The rotating the screw backwards until you feel it click works, but sometimes I've spent a while doing that, no clicks. This was on the foil board whilst getting the hang of it where moving plugs was done quite a bit. I just used the inner row to get the positioning right, then move to the outer row later.

Flikka use metal inox inserts and double bolts on straps, and their boards arent heavy. This seems a step up. I use tuttle fins a lot so 2 bolts to do up each time I use the board with no issues for years until they wear out. I cant imagine me swapping plugs every time I would use the FSW board. It would still take time, but the worry about stripping a plug would be a lot less.

I did a poll on a FB group about moving straps on FSW boards, and 90% just used the same positions. I'm wondering if its because of the faff of moving them. Or is it because people only sail at 1 (or similar) spots. I'm in the keep them in the same place group as I have 2 boards.
Duotone are keen on new ideas, sorry concepts, and changes. I thought they might have come up with something by now. At the Defi Ben did a video with Jordi and he said lots of people use FSW on the lakes in The Netherlands.
I see Duotone now just offer 3 straps on their freewaves at 94l and below.



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"Quick release foot straps" started by Surfing Uk