Transition to Strapless

[yojimbo]

Interested to hear your story on transitioning to strapless. That is how long it took you to feel comfortable riding waves in NorCal conditions.

I've been riding strapless on the coast for about 3 years, and it wasn't until recently that it started to click, and I started reaching for my strapless board as my first choice.

I've got 2 boards, one strapped, and one strapless. My original goal was to go " cold turkey", but quickly realized that riding strapless in flat water and riding strapless in the ocean are 2 very different things. Quickly went back to riding my strapped board, but would always make sure to ride the strapless during each session. Gradually moved to riding strapless more and more over the last 3 years, and find that now I go for my strapless board as my first choice.

Having 2 boards helped, and building up my strapless skills over time was the way to go for me. For a long time it wasn't much fun as i wasn't able to jump without losing the board, and losing the board going out through the waves, and just generally chasing after my board. Meanwhile you see strapped riders jumping and blasting by, as well as strapless riders doing the same. Obviously this a "first world" problem, but nevertheless the learning curve sucked.

Only pull out the strapped board now when the waves are huge, but have still so much to work on in regards to strapless riding.

[Rakky]

Learning to ride strapless, and the preferred board. Never rode strapped board.
Have ridden small waves, although not well. Learning to ride the waves.
Had some difficulty when getting out past the whitewash/waves, losing the board, and then chasing the board.
Do you use a leash?
Do you body drag past the bigger whitewash?

[yojimbo]

Never used a leash. Always heard that it is super dangerous to use one.

Gotten to the point where I feel pretty confident riding over whitewater/incoming waves. I like your body dragging strategy. Learning to get out over waves took awhile, and you get better the more you do it.

Never rode a strapped board? Interesting.

[Rakky]

Never rode a strapped 'surfboard'. I started with a twin tip, and after a few learning sessions/ a season, and still struggling with going upwind etc, my instructor let me try his surfboard - and I got hooked. Currently learning all the tacking/gybing (jibing) feet switching etc.
Totally dig riding the small waves - not good at it, but even a short ride is awesome.
Hoping this year to get more into waves. I'm no-where near the experts that I see on the waves or on the web.

[lieutenantglorp]

I can ride strapped or straplesss, but I find both styles too limiting. For me, strapless is great for flatwater, strapless air and freestyle, but not so much for actual wave riding unless it is really clean without much bump. Strapped is great for boosting big air, but a compromise for wave riding due to fixed location of back strap. Since I kite in the ocean specifically to surf waves, I prefer and have the most confidence riding foot hooks in every condition. Better upwind and secure footing than strapless, better foot position on the wave and easier gybe than strapped, and easy up and over whitewater without losing ground. NSI hooks work ok, but custom are even better. Common misconception that you only have 2 choices. There are actually 3! Try hooks and you might really like them for waves. For me, the discovery was as huge as dynabar and/or sliding hook for kite harness for wave riding. :-)

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[Yoda]

Common misconception that you only have 2 choices. There are actually 3!

There are actually 4 choices: Punt Wax
Punt Wax is NOT "strapless" surfing imo. Yes, you may not have straps attached to your board, but there's not much difference between being attached by straps verses gluey/sticky wax. One requires you to pull your feet out, the other requires you to unstick your feet. Both do the job of retaining your feet to the board (or board to feet). The downside is Punt Wax is super messy and needs to be maintained. It sure worked well for Airton (2015 Strapless Freestyle Surfing champion).
http://shop.stickybumps.com/surf-wax/st ... -punt-bits

[drroc]

I learned how to ride strapless at 3rd avenue. However, I already knew how to gybe by spending a previous season at Belmont. The following season I started riding at Waddell. I started riding strapless towards the beginning of the summer once the waves became small. I would say the most difficult part was learning how to go through the whitewash and learning to slow down right at the peak of the wave to avoid getting air. If the waves go past 8ft, I bust out my 5'5'' Caution trespass with straps.

My advice for anybody starting out strapless at Waddell is to get a Firewire Vanguard (or Vader). The vanguard slices through chop very easily and because of the hull construction it automagically rises through the whitewash. Just lift your feet a bit and viola.

As far as wax vs deck pads go. I prefer to use a glue on deck pad https://www.thesurfboardwarehouse.com/p ... sheet.aspx The traction is good and there is no mess.

[akhodakivskiy]

It took me 30 minutes to get rid of the straps.

You will quickly realize that the board is glued to your feed regardless of the straps by the pressure of the water and your weight. They can be somewhat useful when you're loosing balance, but you're riding twin-tip, you know how to balance.

I also started riding surf board on flat water on Crissy Field, and didn't have to deal with the waves at first. There I learned how to do carving turns, and how to tack. This is important. When I finally made it to Waddell I was planning to put the straps on, but got too exceited, and just forgot. Being able to make turns and switch feet was super important in the waves.

[Aloha]

I agree with hook the captain, rear strap is the reason I don't like to go strapped.

I ride strapless foil and surfboard - and when strapped, I found only the front strap ever to be helpful in a few situations

On foil it's nicer in lightwind because I think makes it easier to transition without setting down (mainly b/c of foot placement guidance on front foot and quick single foot control of pitch)

And for surfboard there are big days esp. at OB where you seem to have jumps every other wave when taking out.

The problem with running front strap only is it setting you up for bigger ankle twisting disasters. I think the front hook could grab the benefits of the front strap, but abate some of the "front foot only strap" risks too