Surfriding Front Foothold VS Front Foot Strap?

[dmpus]

That's probably has been discussed, however which option do you surf guys prefer?
I see lots of pro riders have strap in front. Petepancake FFH seems to be very reputable and good stuff also.
I have a little fear from the strap that I could lock my foot in it when falling...
Please advice

Thanks,
D.

 

[Cannibal]

I've never tried a FFH, but I have a strap.

Pluses for foot strap I see are the fact that you can put it where you want, loosen/tighten it to fit your shoes, and you can kick in to them pretty hard.

Negatives are that you have fairly permanent damage by installing one, if you don't like where it is, you need to make new holes in your turf. You can't change your foot position and still be locked in. Someone else rides your ski, they probably won't like your foot strap location.

I vote strap, but make sure you know EXACTLY where you want it.

 

[wydopen]

That's probably has been discussed, however which option do you surf guys prefer?
I see lots of pro riders have strap in front. Petepancake FFH seems to be very reputable and good stuff also.
I have a little fear from the strap that I could lock my foot in it when falling...
Please advice

Thanks,
D.

Theres your answer...

if u look at pics of people doing reentries you can tell who is running straps or not..w/o straps the pole is usually up in the air and they are strait legging it trying to stay connected to the ski...with straps you can control your ski with precision and really style out your reentries and turns...there is no comparison..you notice im saying straps as in plural...trying to ride surfstance with a rear foothold is just stupid..you are handicapping yourself from the start..the best waveriding thats ever been done and is bring done now is being done with two footstraps..idk why people are scared to run whats been proven to work...plus unless u are really tall you shouldnt even be standing with your foot all the way at the front of the tray..people wonder why they pearl so much...the majority of your riding is done with all your weight on the tail...i run my front strap pretty far back

 

[Idok]

ive had both...prefer the front hold well padded so it locks your foot in....


rear foot in the rear hold will definatly throw off balance........99% of the time my left is locked up front and rear foot is freeballin moving all over the place.....



Ive thought about a rear strap many times but just cant get used to the fact of it being underfoot...

 

[wydopen]

it should never be underfoot??..your either in it or not and if u arnt its cause your dragging a leg while recovering or standing somewhere totally different...after a couple rides you can move your foot in and out w/o even thinking about it..the only time i pull a foot out is when im recovering from something in the whitewater

idok...run two straps with the front one 5 or 6 inches back from the bulkhead i guarantee you will not pearl nearly as much...plus if u want to show off your intake grate to your buddies on your reentries its the only way you can whip it sideways

unless u want to ride like this guy hahahaha

i forget how much i use them until i get on a ski without them..the amount of control you lose without being attached to your ski is significant...just like clipless pedals for mountainbikes..

 

[KR]

2 straps = sex

 

[Bobert540]

I have seen a few guys w/o straps nailing reentries no problem.... Just ask Specialfx, Wavehog, Flash-fx, Nuklear6! Do what you think is most comfortable, there is nothing wrong with being different from what everyone else does. Do what works best for YOU.

 

[Patrick Star]

I have the Pan Cake front foot hold and I like it. I was considering a strap, but I went with the route I chose since I don't want to get stuck to the ski and messed up any more than I am. I ride like a grandma anyway these days.

 

[butti]

You shouldnt "need" a strap or foothold to do a proper re entry..

 

[FlightPlanDan]

My ffh was installed on a whim. Now I can't imagine riding without it. I've never tried straps, but I'm sure I would feel the same about them had they been installed instead. It's all about what feels right to each rider.
Here's what I use..

 

[Kny21]

Andrew, post a pic of your tray setup.

 

[Mark Gomez]

I have been rocking the Tomski Front Foothold for the last few years and have been having a lot of fun. I feel pretty good about my surf style utilizing the front foothold to be able to "shift" my foot around at a moments notice, either for balance or any other reason. Mostly the biggest thing I find use for my front foothold is that I use my front and rear foothold to help me turn my ski much like a surf board or wake board. When I carve left I "toe up" and when I turn right I push hard on my toes and lift with my heels to help apply the pressure. I found that there is more to surfing on a stand up than just when to crank the bars. The bottom of your hull and the power of a throwing lip is a powerful and fun combo.

I love the Tomski front foothold mostly because I can install it and or remove it with 2-3 small bolts and put it on any superjet I ride anywhere. I tried the front surf strap before but I felt like I was too limited to one spot in my tray. Which isn't necessarily a bad thing, I just felt better having my foot further to the left during normal riding then still being able to have the ability to slide my foot to where my strap used to be all while still being locked in.

It's all about how you look at what you have, and how you use it to its full potential being open minded.

-MG

 

[Snivilous]

i forget how much i use them until i get on a ski without them..the amount of control you lose without being attached to your ski is significant

Totally agree. I put straps on my 650sx (and it's flat water, lets face it, you don't need straps or holds) this past season, and when ever I go to ride my dad's ski it feels like I'm gonna fall off and have 0 control. I spend the whole time grinding my feet against the side rails trying to get a grip.

 

[wydopen]

You shouldnt "need" a strap or foothold to do a proper re entry..

My idea of a proper reentry and yours might differ..unless the ski is past 90deg it's just another strait air to me..

I think the main thing is the fact that it really let's u ride loose if you know your attached to the ski..i see so many people with a stiff ridin style where it always looks like they are fighting to stay in the tray..

 

[Freakrider]

Andrew, post a pic of your tray setup.

X2 Andrew, please post how you have the straps positioned, wanting to install some for Daytona ...thanks.

 

[wydopen]

X2 Andrew, please post how you have the straps positioned, wanting to install some for Daytona ...thanks.

old pic

the key is to not install them too close together or too far apart..if you do they will be too lose or too tight.you just want your toes sticking out the other side...

 

[Berky]

OMG , Andrew you forgot to put foot wells in your ski ! I'm going to run ski boots and bindings for max lock down control Haarrr . The ski past 90 degrees on a re entry is so Fn awesome !!!!!! I think my poor windsurf or kite board is going to get plundered .

 

[Freakrider]

Thanks Andrew...looks like the rear strap puts your leg directly on center of the ski and is far enough back for anti-pearling.

thinking about a SS bolt through entire tray above the pump for the rear one...

 

[JetManiac]

Great thread. Like all of the different ideas raised here!