In the world of water sports, practicality and accessibility are often key elements for a successful experience. Wing foiling is a sport that combines technology …
Wing Foil with or without straps?
Should you sail a Wing Foil with or without straps? Many practitioners wonder about the use of straps. That’s why we take the time to explain in detail under what conditions to adopt footstraps.
Wing Foil with or without straps?
What is a footstrap?
The
Foot-Straps
have been created to provide maximum support and comfort to sail upright on your board, whatever the sport. These are inserts of foot straps, placed at the front and back of the board. Their position will depend on your way of sailing (goofy or regular) and your preference in terms of comfort on small boards or navigation allowing both sides depending on the board models.
First of all, it will depend on your level of Wingsurfing, your preferences and your practice. Testing the different possibilities and choosing according to your own feelings is the best way to know if you prefer to sail Wing Foil with or without straps. Nevertheless, our experience and practice of board sports allow us to advise you in the best possible way in this article.
WINGFOIL WITH STRAPS
This option will satisfy insiders who want to have fun, perform jumps, back flips etc. You will have more control and your abilities will be maximum and sensational, both in jumps, in the stronger wind, and in pumping. When you pump on the foil with footstraps, you feel more leverage, and the movements are more aerial. This is also interesting for making aggressive turns when surfing in Wing Foil.
Keep in mind that navigating in this way will be very good on a straight line, across and upwind. However, you could be at a disadvantage in curves or depending on gaits. Here we can see that Titouan pulls on the footstraps to give angle to the board.
Most of the time, when you want to adopt a freeride practice, you turn to a smaller board, usually all equipped with inserts. This brings a feeling of stability in flight. It also allows you to jump with the small boards.
It is important to know the ideal positioning of your feet, to adjust your foot-straps and have the most optimal position. This position changes depending on the front fenders and your weight and level. However, it is useless for us to start with straps, which increase the risk of sprains in the event of falls (and there can be many at the beginning!). Especially since when you’re just starting out, the priority is usually not jumps and freerides. To begin with, not having straps allows you to reposition your feet in case of a positioning error.
Among our SROKA Wingsurf rigid boards, the Fast Flyer 4’6, as well as the Sky Rider 5’5 are equipped with front and rear inserts. Enough to allow you to send jumps, jibes and surfs without any concessions.
WINGFOIL EN STRAPLESS
Sailing strapless when you are new to wing foil is the most recommended option. And we could even say that it is useless to use footstraps during the initiation period (it will be more annoying than beneficial). A beginner will have difficulty positioning their feet precisely. As a result, not putting on the foostraps will make it easier for you to navigate.
Contrary to popular belief, strapless Wing Foil will make you feel a little safer. This is because it reduces the risk of twisting your ankles (VS when the foot is stuck in the strap.) In addition, it allows you to adapt your foot position according to the gaits. In a soft wave, you can move your footing back a little more on the board. Whereas on a bigger wave, you will tend to move your support forward a little to counter the overpower generated by the force of the wave.
Usually, when you’re just starting out, you have a big board that’s stable. You can position your feet according to your preference, while still having enough stability with the board to stay upright.
You won’t have to struggle with straps that aren’t always placed at the final and ideal foot position for you. The bridge is clear, which increases the simplicity of movement and transitions, depending on speed and power.
Riding strapless is absolute freedom of movement, and you will know perfectly the positioning of your feet that suits you when you want to sail with foot-straps. This allows you to fully feel the foil and the board and thus become one with the elements. You won’t be hindered to get back on the board, you won’t hang your leash in it. In this way, you will progress much faster.
Honestly, strapless is for us the most pleasant option, the easiest to make transitions, and the one that brings the most freedom and comfort whatever the pace and conditions.
We choose not to put strap inserts on our Wing Foil boards, which are intended for beginners or large riders, so as not to slow you down in your progress. This is the case with our Sky Rider 5’8 and 6’3 fiberglass models.
WINGFOIL WITH A SINGLE STRAP
At the crossroads, navigating with A single strap at the front is a good compromise if you don’t want to jump, but still want to pump or increase control in heavy conditions. This option allows you to progress faster than with two inserts, because you won’t be bothered by the one placed at the back. Indeed, it can be uncomfortable, moreover many do not use the back strap.
The advantage is also that it helps you position your front foot and allows you to have a reference point for your placement. The front foot acts as leverage, the one at the back is free, and allows you to rebalance if your front foot support is not good. In addition, it avoids over-forcing in the curves and benefits from better control. You will be able to adjust your placement according to the situation (surfing, downwind descent…). Be careful once again that your foot does not get stuck in the event of a fall!
When it comes to SROKA Air inflatable boards, these are equipped with inserts at the front (for V-shaped installation).
To sum up:
In any case, there is no right or wrong choice, you just have to do it according to your preferences and:
- Your level : beginner, initiate, experienced.
- If you want to perform jumps, maneuvers, have an efficient pumping (even if technically you are not the best).
- Your board model, knowing that there is no need to put two inserts on a board with volume.
It can also be interesting to alternate, sometimes strapped, sometimes strapless, to keep a versatility between the different types of practices, vary the sensations and continue to progress technically.
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If you still have questions about this, or for any other request, please do not hesitate to contact us !
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