andrewjohn Posted December 12, 2015 Report Share Posted December 12, 2015 Went out yesterday for the first time on a surfboard, but with boots on I couldn't get my feet in the straps very well, but then once up and riding by the time I wanted to turn round I was pretty locked in and there was no way I could slip my feet out again to try my first gibes. Any one know of any adjustable straps that go pretty big to accommodate boots? I know you'll all be shouting 'go strapless' but I just want to get confident riding the board with the additional ease of use that straps give you when starting off. I'm not yet at the stage where I can just jump on the board and go. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kitesurfandy Posted December 13, 2015 Report Share Posted December 13, 2015 be a Man like Blast who reckons he dont need gloves or boots ! either he,s a cold blooded reptile, or has Blubber like a Seal !!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SonnyRider Posted December 13, 2015 Report Share Posted December 13, 2015 Strapless is easier then you think it is. Plus you will be able to put your feet where they need to be, not where they say they should be. Hardest part is the start, but with the right technique it's pretty easy. I found having the kite at 11 or 1 helping keep your feet on the board with that light pull on the kite the easiest. I never found a set of straps that would work for me, I was always just 'hanging' on with my toes in the straps. I feel the cold, but seeing as this is the warmest Dec I've kited I find I don't need boots... yet. Standing around on the beach barefoot is cold, so I wear my flipflops until I'm ready to go onto the water. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andrewjohn Posted December 13, 2015 Author Report Share Posted December 13, 2015 I took my boots off after the first run, but started to feel the cold a lot quicker without them on, and whilst today was warmer than some summer sessions I've had, it's only gonna get colder. But even without boots I was struggling to get my feet in. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blast Posted December 13, 2015 Report Share Posted December 13, 2015 Andrew I see your in Gwithian, so decent surf (probably as big a surf as anywhere in the uk) not like so many other parts of the UK especially the south coast where regulars will tell you strapless is the only way forward.....that is until they come here where we have actual waves! I've been riding mostly strapless for the past year (but occasionally still use a front strap if it's big/gusty or simply want to boost etc) but spent a few years riding strapped and learning to actually ride the wave first and now am trying to ride the same without them but it is tough. The majority of those I see riding strapless do nothing much more that ride back and forth with the odd carve on the wave as they change direction, nothing wrong in that as long as they are enjoying it but they ain't actually surfing the waves!?...full on bottom turn to top turn and repeat. When I do use straps I have them super lose, so I can hardly feel them at all. What size feet are you, is it the boots your using that are large? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andrewjohn Posted December 13, 2015 Author Report Share Posted December 13, 2015 Feet aren't massive, only a 9 ish. Boots are 5mm though. I was thinking of thinner boots, but the straps that are on at the mo have no adjustment to them. TBH I'm not ready to rip in head high stuff at Gwithian yet. (Not sure I ever will). Due to the prevailing SW's I mostly kite at Marazion, which only has little waves, but when there's some north in the wind I head for Gwithian, but if it's too big I'll get the landboard out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blast Posted December 13, 2015 Report Share Posted December 13, 2015 Yes, if your only size 9 then it's prob the boots and the lack of adjustment in the straps. I prob have some spare straps here I can send down to you (I'll check tomorrow) so send me a pm with your address. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
too much wind Posted December 14, 2015 Report Share Posted December 14, 2015 I use these https://www.northshoreinc.com/store/pc/viewPrd.asp?idproduct=118&idcategory=107 I'm a size 10 and they adjust for no boots to my 7mm boots. Only issue is the ratchet can jam up so they need a bit of grease on the adjuster every so often. TMW Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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