Strapless Progression

Nevo · Guest

I'm looking to keep progressing strapless towards ocean/waveriding sometime near the end of this season. I'm based out of Portland.

1. I assume swell riding is the best thing I can do to continue developing in this direction. Can anyone recommend some good swell spots to go and ride?

2. Can any strapless waveriders recommend other skills to develop before hitting waves?

3. Also wondering if there is a common spot where strapless riders go? Strapless freestyle isn't within my reach yet but I'd like to see it so the seeds are planted.

Thanks!

Loneski · Since 18 Dec 2010 103 Posts Washington Stoked

Being able to turn quickly and accelerate has saved me so many times. Miss timing your wave or trying to get out when a big set comes in you really want to have that down. Falling on a missed jibe can ruin your day.

OG · Since 07 Jun 2011 583 Posts Addicted

keep riding strapless, mohreps == mohbeddah.....no shit

wylieflyote · Sun Aug 20, 17 8:02 am

Turns out I maybe should have practiced my strapless a few more years. Now that I'm foiling, I'm running into some roadblocks with foot-switches.

ldhr · Since 21 Jul 2009 1487 Posts Hood River XTreme Poster

riding swell/waves is the easy part.
launching and getting outside the impact zone is the hard part.
staying upwind is a priority.

if you are goofy footed - you're in luck as this will be your strong side heading out.
if you are regular stance - get really good at riding toeside - this is the best way to get outside and you'll be able to do quick u-turns and head back towards shore if there's breaking waves stopping your progress.

practice in the gorge - launch at the event site and kite upwind to the red buoy at the top of wells island. practice your jibes as you go upwind.
ride the swell back to the bottom of wells. rinse and repeat.

Matt V · Sun Aug 20, 17 9:52 am

Sounds like the consensus is to ride the board.

I will dissent with - learn to jump it, attempt some back rolls (if you can already do them strapped), see if you can initiate a kick flip.

Even if you are no where near completing these techniques, their failure will prepare you for what will happen in the waves strapless. How do you even start a kick flip? Thinking about the board, foot placement, pressure, pop........will make you pretty sure of your footing even if you chicken out on actually attempting the kick flip. And there will be lots of unsure footings and misplaced feet at inopportune times in the waves. The waves will bounce you around much more than swell. Sometimes you will be landing your feet on the deck of the board, even though you never really intended, or even thought you jumped. And as noted before, you must be quicker in waves compared to swell. A good way to get quick is to try some things where you do not have the muscle memory to recover from their failure automatically.

unbob · Since 31 Aug 2008 260 Posts 'da Gorge/LaV Obsessed

FYI - Current issue of Kitesurfing Magazine (vol 3 - issue 2 - 'Brazil' on cover) has an 8-page feature on 'Strapless Progression'. Worth reading!

blancoh2o · Since 15 Mar 2005 1154 Posts Oregon Phishy

Just watch this a million times, try and over and over again for about a year and you might get it. LOL

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zF-RL3l8PNs

cpc219 · Since 12 Jun 2014 296 Posts The Dalles Obsessed

The best thing is just more time on the board in any and all conditions. Even riding flat water and getting your jibes and foot switches helps. Next time it's hammering out east at Rufus or A town come out and ride some river swell.

When you head out to the coast maybe choose a more mellow swell day to get comfortable. Know that no matter what you will get munched and you will end up chasing you board back to shore from time to time. That's just the way it goes, trial by error, and you'll be alright. Two big things about riding real waves are:

1. Learn how to hold your breath and be familiar with the power of the ocean.

2. When you do go down in a wave know how to keep your kite in the air and powered so you don't get wrapped.

Biggest thing, same with all things, don't overthink it. Don't be afraid to mess up and look like an idiot. Accept the learning curve, make mistakes, and learn from them. Just do it! You can contact me directly if you have any questions and if I see you on the beach just ask.

Cody

ezryder111 · Since 24 Dec 2012 131 Posts SE Portland Stoked

Really appreciate this thread as I have the same exact questions and concerns. Thanks, guys!

Ho-Toe · Sun Aug 20, 17 2:17 pm **trolling**

Autumn is my least favorite season to body drag in the ocean.

For a good time, google "bobby gumm south beach". Shocked

macgruber · Since 06 Dec 2011 490 Posts SE PDX volcano Obsessed

Try fort Stevens first before Manzanita. Lot B can be super smooth. If you aren't goofy, head out toe side so you can quickly carve back in to ride a wave or escape a big one

Aeolus · Sun Aug 20, 17 11:14 pm

Since you'll be chasing your board a lot when you're learning your timing in the salt....tie an old slingshot bar safety bungee to the place where a board leash would normally go. you'll save your board from going to the beach a hand full of times just by being able to grab it by the leash from time to time. It just dangles around and it's relatively short.
When you screw up your timing and get rolled by a wave going out, even the tiniest of one-toe on the board can mean the difference between dragging all the way to the beach and keeping it within a few body lengths. Your recovery times will get lightning quick in the ocean over time.
Get to know an ocean spot very well and consistently hit that place. There's a shit ton going on out there especially when the swell starts picking up some energy. Get some nice northerly summer days under your belt with low energy ocean conditions. Ocean kiting never gets old. You'll be sending some booters before you know it.
Good luck and....

Keep your kite in the air
Keep your kite in the air
Keep your kite in the air
Twisted Evil

sagebrush · Since 31 Oct 2009 212 Posts north,van,bc Stoked

Awesome comments everyone,thx so much for the knowledge,very helpfull!!!

Matt V · Wed Aug 23, 17 8:29 am

Nevo · Guest

Thanks for the tips everyone. I've tried a lot of what was said and will mention a few of the results I've already had:

Gybe speed: I took the time to consider my actual gybe speed since I'm regular footed. Going either way the fastest I can gybe is to simply jump and 180 my body instead of stepping forward and then back. If someone has a faster method let me know.

More time strapless: I basically can't stand to ride my twintip anymore anyways so this is pretty easy. I'm on the board from 7m conditions to 15m conditions and am feeling good.

Aerials: Progressing nicely but yet to try the recommended kickflip. I've tried a few pop shuvit transitions, handstand 360's, 180's, and the biggest thing I'm walking away with is a greater understanding of how in sync my riding and flying have to be. It doesn't seem anything like the twintip where I can muscle through movements.

A second note on aerials that I'll add is this: I've found that when surfing swells very aggressively (constant heel - toe - heel - toe transitions), if I add in small jumps and immediately return to hard carving upon landing I learn a lot. The reason is that just as Matt V recommended in learning to jump, you end up landing with poor foot positioning from time to time. Add in forcing myself to carve away aggressively upon landing has given me the opportunity to learn how the board can and will perform when I'm out of foot position but still have to ride. In the ocean I can see it effectively buying me time to restabilize in a more opportune location.

Lastly I'll mention that I've gotten to know my board better by trying the things listed by others. I'm on a 5'2" Angry Swallow and I had been purely riding it as a thruster without much thought beyond that. Now, I've tried riding it with 1, 2, 3, fin setups and will admit that each seems to clearly ride differently and add to my overall comfort on the board. Next step will simply be trying some better fins than the stock ones (which I hear are crap).

Thanks again for the beta from everyone! I'm excited to head out to Shipwreck soonish for an intro and have a few weeks booked in Tulum this fall. Any additional comments/thoughts/suggestions are welcome!

Scriffler · Since 03 Jul 2005 581 Posts LYLE Addicted

I used to be scared of wearing a leash in the surf until I started riding a spot where I can't afford to lose my board. I use a really long leash, like 7 or 8 feet and it is pretty hard to get whipped by your board. The trick is to depower your kite as soon as you fall. This should minimize any whipping by your board. Also get a quick release one just in
Case you need to punch out.

https://surfmorexm.com/collections/leashes/products/xm-power-clip-surfboard-leash