To evolve in wing foiling, the use of straps is essential, mainly to increase your control and limit the risk of contact with the foil as explained in our “How To: straps or strapless”.
Start by using the front straps and gradually the rear strap which is essential for jumps but not only: it offers control at high speed, allows you to be more creative in the surfs and to recover more easily from potential falls. In short, it allows you to progress.
While the use of the front straps is generally not difficult, the rear strap is more complicated and even causes discomfort for some. L’Ours shares his advice on how to integrate the use of the rear strap into your navigation:
“1 / You have to ride faster, and therefore more in opposition (leaning in the wind).
2 / Move your foil back one to two cm.
Using the rear strap is a matter of habit. First, open the rear strap excessively. This allows the toe of the rear foot to move closer to the leeward rail and naturally compensate for your windward downforce on the front foot.
Regarding point 1, the explanation is that during acceleration or at high speed, the front wing tends to dive (nose-diving torque due to the domed profile of the upper surface of the wing, the water pressing on it makes the foil go down slightly above a certain speed). So to keep your balance, you must either put more pressure on the rear foot, or simply move it back and therefore put on the rear strap.
At low speed, putting on the rear strap is quite uncomfortable.
It goes without saying that we always use the front straps. Strapless is not recommended, especially in the learning phase. Then, once you get used to the flight, the strapless is a very nice feeling, even if it does not protect you from injuries, unlike the urban legend … “
Winger : Malo Guénolé, team rider GONG en Lethal FSP Pro et Neutra
