losethestraps.com

How many people here have given up the TTs all together and only go strapless? I am slowly getting rid of all of my TT's and hope to eventually go 100% strapless. The only thing I need know is a light wind strapless surfboard. I am looking at a 5' 10" Fish right now.

mv
http://www.kitesurfinfo.com

how bout removing the straps and decking TTs? maybe mounting an upper skate deck? wake skate style? IM still keeping a binded tt in the van for flying around in the nukies and keeping the timing crisp for the snow/land crossover.

photo by jasonwolcottphotography.com



please forgive me!! as i have sinned!!

mattv wrote:How many people here have given up the TTs all together and only go strapless? I am slowly getting rid of all of my TT's and hope to eventually go 100% strapless. The only thing I need know is a light wind strapless surfboard. I am looking at a 5' 10" Fish right now.

I gave up my riding my TT a few years ago, and I don't think I will ever go back. If I get in the mood to just go out and boost some huge jumps I will jump on a TT, but I get more satisfaction out of landing a 4 foot strapless jump then a 30 foot air. That being said, one of the best aspects of our sport is the freedom to apply the power of the kite to whatever style of riding you like. Whatever floats your boat I say. I don't think one stlye of riding is better or cooler than any other, but whatever motivates you to go out and ride is where its at in my book.

sundogchicky wrote:please forgive me!! as i have sinned!!

Dude, no way. That is a killer shot! I would not beg for any forgivness for that pic! I love all the "old school" board offs, and I think kitesurfing is much more interesting to the average person that sees huge jumps and board offs. There is no doubt that the new school wake stuff is much more technical, but it is hard for the average person to even figure out what is going on - let alone the ordinary kitesurfer.

I have to say I still have mine and ride it often. As has been pointed out already, the sweet thing about kiting is that there are so many ways to get a stoke from it. That said I wouldn't be sad if I retired it someday.

And the sweet thing about this site is that nobody is 'dissing' other riding styles and I love that. Other sites seem to promote so much hate, suggesting that wake style is the only way for example. It is such a shame particularly because I love use kiting to escape the sometimes judgemental world and express my own style for nobody but me.

Maybe this is in the wrong secion but...as for your fish shopping...I just picked this up and spent half as much as I have on any tt and about the same as my skim. I have no idea how it will ride.

Nice looking board. What are the dimensions?

mattv
http://www.kitesurfinfo.com

brass wrote:Other sites seem to promote so much hate, suggesting that wake style is the only way for example. It is such a shame particularly because I love use kiting to escape the sometimes judgemental world and express my own style for nobody but me.

Let me tell you. I get the triple whammy on some other sites.

1. I ride foil kites. Apparently this is a big no no.
2. I ride strapless. Getting more attention but still seen as a little odd by some.
3. I wear a helmet and impact vest on every session. Major kook factor!

mattv
http://www.kitesurfinfo.com

mattv wrote:
Let me tell you. I get the triple whammy on some other sites.

1. I ride foil kites. Apparently this is a big no no.
2. I ride strapless. Getting more attention but still seen as a little odd by some.
3. I wear a helmet and impact vest on every session. Major kook factor!

mattv
http://www.kitesurfinfo.com

I have said it before, Lose the Straps is all about the stoke and not the stroke. I am not here to host a board and judge people about what they choose to ride and how they ride it. I have been sponsored by Cabrinha for many years, and I do think we offer fantastic kites, boards, and accessories, but I have no interest in ridiculing other people's gear or what works for them. When I get asked about my opinion on gear that I ride I will give them an honest answer about it regardless of my relationship with Cabrinha. At the end of the day one's integrity is worth a lot more than any sponsorship. I do think there is room for healthy debate or discussion, but not to be cruel just because its different than the norm. Heck, anyone that is a member of this board is already thinking outside the box.

I'm guilty too: strapless, finless, and tubeless..

Last 2~3 sessions, I've taken a TT out to the beach in case I wanted to change out to it, but its stayed parked.
Even when nicely powered, I've just been staying on the skim 100%.

Will I hop on a TT again? - most likely so. And it'll probably feel like I'm cheet'n!
Its all about the fun, not what or how we ride.

K.

mattv wrote:Nice looking board. What are the dimensions?

mattv
http://www.kitesurfinfo.com

5'10"x18 3/4" x 2 1/4"

And again thanks Lonny for the vibe here.

brass wrote:5'10"x18 3/4" x 2 1/4"

Have you had a chance to get the board on the water? How does it ride?

mattv
http://www.kitesurfinfo.com

Hmmm...

I go, strapless on skim or surf.

When the slider boys in HR have the park set-up, I get my TT with boots.

I figure if there aren't any sliders or kickers out there, I'm staying on my skim.
Ocean, almost always on my surf, unless it's too light....then it's again the skim.

I was in SPI for the past 4 days... brought the TT with boots for wakestyle on the flats. Didn't even screw the boots on. Rode the skim the whole time..... Yeah, it was kinda light at times, but how could I pass-up butter water in the flats, or waist high waves without my skim...?

Whatever floats your boat...

Mine is out for sale now and I'm not planning on buying a new one for 2009. I have an old TT from 2006 with wake bindings that I might take out for a spin if I'm up for it. Can't really remember last time I was on out on a TT but it was probably in June. I've packed the board in the car numerous times but it just ends up on the beach unused.

mattv wrote:

brass wrote:5'10"x18 3/4" x 2 1/4"

Have you had a chance to get the board on the water? How does it ride?

mattv
http://www.kitesurfinfo.com

Sorry it has taken me so long (work has been killing me) but no I have not gotten a chance to get it out on the water. Unfortunately it may be some time before I do. Any kiting in my near future looks to be on the snow.