Footstraps on efoils for jumping, aggressive carving

Hello everyone,

after lurking for a couple of years and building two efoils its finally time for me to post something :slight_smile:

As i want to get into jumping this summer i am thinking about adding foot straps to my efoil. I’ve commited to a jump a couple of times now and it feels sketch af having little to no control about the foil in the air. It just feels like it could turn sidewards with a bad takeoff and make me fall straight into the foil without the ability to do anything about it. Thats where i hope foot straps might help keeping the board beneath my feet.
On the other hand im a bit sceptical about strapping my feet to all that mass and inertia, which im afraid could break my ancles.

So there are two things i’d like to discuss:

  1. Does anyone have experience with foot straps on efoils?
  2. Technical solutions. Im considering using an insert that disengages at a specified (optimally changable) force, but i havent found a suitable part or thought of a good design that isnt affected by temperature, fatigue and surrounding fluid (air/grease/water). Another idea is using velcro which may not be well defined but at least has a chance of opening before my ancles break :wink:

Any input is highly appreciated,
cheers

Footstraps on surfboards are nothing special. There is is only 1 thing you need to take care off ! Dont make it too wide. The strap is correct, when your toes are visible on the other side. Not more! Only the toes. Then your foot will always get out of the strap easily

Thanks for the input. Ive also read lots of people making the straps rather high, so the foot can alwas twist. But that would definitely mean they are further in than what you described. Any thoughts on that?

I would suggest getting on a small wingboard with straps, and doing a tow-boogie setup. Some drawbacks, but there is a lot to be said for not having the power train weight attached to you or the board

I found this but do not have first hand experience with it

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To preserve your ankles, you also have foothooks: Slingshot, NSI, … or the comfy Cobra Half Hooks from Dakine

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