Tow surf straps vs strapless

[cristovao]

Hi,
I’ve never done tow surfing, and I have some doubts about the straps. I would like to know the opinion of experienced tow surfers on:
1. Are the straps dangerous? Can they injure knees if only one foot gets looked one the straps during a fall?
2. In regular surf, I find important the possibility to adjust feet position during surfing. What about with the small tow surf boards? Do you feel the straps position is always the perfect position? Or same times you feel the need to adjust but you just can’t?

[Big H]

You should invent a tow board with breakaway bindings and a front foot that can slide forward and back on a track then you'll have no worries.

[oldmansurfer]

I don't think there are any experienced tow surfers who post here or at least any that post here regularly. I can tell you however that yes tow straps cause injuries, not sure about knee injuries but definitely ankle injuries. However they also make waves makeable that would not be makeable without the straps. Yes the positioning of the straps is an individual thing but for big wave surfing you don't need to move around the board. Those small tow boards are also heavy and are weight adjusted to the individual rider. But I have no first hand knowledge about them this is all from what I read.

[cristovao]

You should invent a tow board with breakaway bindings and a front foot that can slide forward and back on a track then you'll have no worries.

Thank you Big H.
I have some ideas how that could be done and I'll probably try. Are there any other features that would be desirable? What should be the minimum force that the biddings would have to hold without release?
I had some injuries on the knees when skiing because the release system didn't work properly, and then i had to quit ski. I do not want to take unnecessary risks.

[cristovao]

Those small tow boards are also heavy

Thank you oldmansurfer.
I wonder if the weight on the board is intended to help absorbing the impact created by choppy water. I also read somewhere about a tow surfboard with cork core, I suppose this is for the same reason.

[cristovao]

You should invent a tow board with breakaway bindings and a front foot that can slide forward and back on a track then you'll have no worries.

Why has this been done yet?

[oldmansurfer]

Those small tow boards are also heavy

Thank you oldmansurfer.
I wonder if the weight on the board is intended to help absorbing the impact created by choppy water. I also read somewhere about a tow surfboard with cork core, I suppose this is for the same reason.

I think it adds mass which creates momentum or glide which keeps the board moving forward in the face of chops or weaker portions of the wave. I haven't heard about a cork core

[Big H]

You should invent a tow board with breakaway bindings and a front foot that can slide forward and back on a track then you'll have no worries.

Thank you Big H.
I have some ideas how that could be done and I'll probably try. Are there any other features that would be desirable? What should be the minimum force that the biddings would have to hold without release?
I had some injuries on the knees when skiing because the release system didn't work properly, and then i had to quit ski. I do not want to take unnecessary risks.

Just busting your balls a little....

Honestly I have no clue....never done it. Was being sarcastic in that if you have questions like this you probably need more surfing experience before strapping into a board then getting slung into monster waves. You would know that if you are on a big wave taking the drop, trying to outrun the wave, that you are not going to worry about moving your feet around once you get in that sweetspot where the board it level and in the optimal trim for going as fast as you can. Tow boards are designed with the feet straps in that sweet spot (I assume, but not a crazy assumption)....further to that, if you are going to be riding waves of real consequence, you would probably want a custom board designed just for you so that you could more confidently depend on that equipment in life risking situations, with that board designed for you, your stance, the boards sweet spot and the perfect amount of buoyancy to get the job done.

I do not want to take unnecessary risks.

Cristavo, bottom line, your post reeks of this....no one who is considering tow in surfing should include this line in their thoughts.....in fact, the opposite is the essence, the thrill of putting it on the line, the adrenaline rush of actually staring down danger.....there is a place for risk management in every activity; big wave surfing has impact vests and emergency CO2 powered flotation devices, motorcycle racing has leathers, heavy steel reinforced boots and space age helmet tech......but if it is the risk management angle that you actively consider when getting into an activity that requires a crave of the adrenaline that is associated with "extreme" sports, or sports that you hang it out and really expose yourself to injury or death, you probably shouldn't do it since part of what is necessary to be successful and keep the edge that keeps you ahead of the curve is the love of putting yourself out there.

[oldmansurfer]

One thing is for sure, if you haven't paddled into big waves don't try tow in

[cristovao]

Thanks a lot guys for your inputs.

[Big H]

If you want to be towed into waves without the straps on your own board you could do step offs.

[waikikikichan]

Riding and knee injury parts aside, what about the "Tow" aspect ? Have you ever wakeboarded before ? Try starting from waiting in the water and get pulled up by the rope with straps. Without straps you're going to get yanked forward off the board. ( yes, there is wake skate without straps )

[cristovao]

I have never wakeboarded, but I kitesurf with surf board. And I'm not fan of the straps on my surfboard when kiting.
Step offs, that looks instresting. I think I'll try that.

[wavey]

If you want to be towed into waves without the straps on your own board you could do step offs.

define step offs for a rook? thank you brother

[wavey]

If you want to be towed into waves without the straps on your own board you could do step offs.

define step offs for a rook? thank you brother

nvm research done haha step offs it is!!!