The first in a new series of tuning your wave gear with JP/Gaastra rider, Phil Horrocks. This week, Phil starts off by taking a look at the Footstraps...
Footstraps - Big is beautiful, but not sloppy. I’m looking for snug as I still like to be in control of the board (Picture a).
Foostrap size – I like my foot in up to the ankle, touching the sides of the strap and the whole foot is touching the board for maximum feedback and control from the board (Picture b). If you lean to turn on your front foot and your heel’s lifting that’s too big, only a small part of your foot is touching the board and you have less feeling and control (Picture c). The whole foot should be right in yet still touching the board all over (Picture d). Look for your big toe being over and across the centre line at the very least! (Picture e). I have the backstrap the same size.
Footstrap positions – Here I differ from the norm, I am fairly tall (6ft) but also like a wide spread in my stance, I typically use the most forward in the front strap (Picture f) and the furthest back in the rear strap (Picture g). Why? It gives me more ability to adjust my weight and manoeuvre the board underneath my body, moves like top turns where you slide the tail out, takas, tweaked airs and jumps, they all involve a scissoring action of your legs and keeping your body weight forward at the same time, a wide spread helps achieve this.
Final Note: Screw your straps in tight! (Picture h) If they’re not, you undo all that good work setting them right! The connection between you and your board becomes sloppy!
