Johnno Keys has alleged that Corey and I are bitching because it wasn't a day that suited straps, as it was light with small waves. I dont think either of us are bitching, but simply saying that the event is so well organised that it would allow time for both strapped and unstrapped contests instead of so many age categories.

I am not trying to advocate either for straps or no straps just for a fair and level playing field. Seperate categories reflecting equipment choice is done across the spectrum of sport. I dont think in cycling for example you would give a guy extra points for turning up at the Tour De France on a mountain bike.

The awarding of more points for unstrapped guys is in effect a handicap system. But in an already subjective sport the big issue is what handicap should apply? The bigger the waves and the stronger the wind the more of a handicap that unstrapped riding becomes so how do you factor that change of conditions in.

Certain boundaries mainly aerial ones can be really pushed by skilled guys when they put on straps. Its exciting to watch but impossible unstrapped so why not be open to 2 categories? By levelling the playing field the judging would be fairer and objective rather than the currently subjective judgement of "How hard is that move with no straps? or vice versa".

Personally i would go unstrapped next year if divisions were combined to avoid judging bias, and I would enter both strapped and unstrapped divisions if given the choice.

I think its just a SHAME if the wave comp gets split into 2 styles - which in my opinion it isn't -

just adds up with less people at each comp, less styles of wave kiting to witness on day, more hassles for organisers & WAKSA to sort out, me not getting to watch the best WA strapped / un-strapped kiters at 1 comp all year, etc, etc, etc.

And without the efforts of Russ, Juddy and a few no wave comps at all. Nial & Corey not alleging you guys are bitchin at anything - more a comment on all of this strapped/unstrapped dribble. IMO the more kiters & styles at a organised comp/day out the better for the sport we all love.

P.S. Kite racing coming up over next few months - super fun in lite winds & just about tooooooooo crazy in 20 plus knots, Damo & boyz from Airrush have 6-8 Demo race boards on day so just turn up & give it a go if you are into speeeeeeeeeeeed. Just bring your normal kites any will do, and have WAY to much fun when the surf is flat & wind sub 15 knots.

read todays the post on - Raceboard tips?

if there was more wind i'd have shown you what can't be done with a stapless board
forgot about the switch riding, when entering maybe you should declare yourself as goofy/reg, probelm being it would be an extra thing for the judges to keep an eye on.

from what i can see the strapless thing is perth peer pressure, nothing more nothing less, monkey see, monkey want to do

geez man all the fuss.

Just ride, its easy to tell who's rippin more - regardless of straps or no straps.

Judge similar to asp - where risk is rewarded, critical moves on the critical part of the wave. Style, flow, wow factor and all that jazz. Overall impression wins the heat.

Obviously if 2 guys (1 strapped, 1 unstrapped) do the same air, land ride away..the unstrapped guy winds that battle.

You would just have to expect the strapped guys to ride harder and go for big stuff...I wouldnt reward someone for riding switch either, thats the riders call. If they think they can rip more on their opposite stance, great, bring it on!

Should fly Rowdy over to judge, he'll sort it all out

DaCurls said...


from what i can see the strapless thing is perth peer pressure, nothing more nothing less, monkey see, monkey want to do

Disagree, at my age I can tell you there is no such thing as peer pressure, I do whatever I feel like doing.......for me.
Yeah I can do more with straps on but I just like the freedom of strapless, I always have a strapped board with me and think I would have done better if I used it on the day. I do used it from time to time depending on conditions but most of the time I just don't like having my feet stuck in one spot, it doesn't feel right......to me.

Do what ever you feel like doing and trust the judges to sort out the result.

totally agree with Tightlines, what a stupid thing to say Dacurls.
Generally we do what we want once over the peer pressure teen years.
Unstrapped just happens to work well with local shorebreaks. Try getting stuck in straps in 2 inches of water and see how long your ankles last.

The true beauty of kitesurfing is its versatility. DO what you want with it.

I think people are getting way to hung up on it all and should just go kiting for themselves. screw this competition, testosterone manmade attitude.
You can clearly see why so many ripping pro surfers, windsurfers, kiters, snowboarders etc. etc. give up the competiton to just ride.

Hopefully thats what ill be doing again this arvo!

LouD said...

[b]default said...[/bheat.


I wouldnt reward someone for riding switch either, thats the riders call.

And riding unstrapped isnt the riders call???

of course it is - if you think you can rip strapless, do it. If you think straps better serves you, then use straps.

If you think riding switch better serves you, the conditions, whatever. If you think your switch forehand impresses more than you backhand, well do that.

overall impression wins the heat. Its not that hard to use some discretion in judging.

Strapped, strapless, switch - fek, just get out there. I want to ride a twin tip next time

Yep good call radman.

Me and raddy were up North for the week before the comp and he rode strapless all week but assessed the conditions on the day and went strapped.... it paid off for him.
It's funny people say that strapped is for strong wind but I have more trouble staying on my board strapless in light winds.
After being strapless all week, fairly well lit on a 7, I found that I just couldn't do anything but fall off on the comp day with the big slow kite and should have gone strapped as well.

Long live the PR machine [}:)]
and all those connected

waveslave said...

"Dude, I really love strap fights."

"Wow man, I really hate it when crew call straps training-wheels."

"Dude, I love that uppity sh1t."

"And man, I really hate it when crew say strapless riding feels closer to surfing."

"Dude, I love it when crew say you need more finesse when riding strapless."

"And man, I hate crew who say lose the straps, kook."

"Dude, I love hating on strapped riders."

"And man, I hate crew who make stupid sex-jokes about strap-ons and stuff."

"Dude, I love it how some crew really have a stick up their arses about strapless."

"And man, I hate how crew feel so goddamn superior because they ride strapless."

"Dude, I love the fact that strapless isn't hard to do."

"And man, I hate how crew say STOP RIDING YOUR KITE."

"Dude, I love how crew say START RIDING YOUR BOARD."

"And man, I hate how you can't go super vert or mega-smash lips going strapless."

"Dude, I love it how strapless riding needs to be cautious ...akin to surfing without a leggie."

"And man, I hate that LOOK AT ME, I'M STRAPLESS tude."

"Dude, I love ego-driven fads."

"And man, I hate crew who say straps, no straps, ....it's all good."

"Yeah dude, I hate that fence-sitting, diplomatic bile."

Slave that some funny sh!t right there, never thought I'd chuckle at anything you ever wrote but dude and man is getting more and more entertaining recently, Keep it up. Look forward to getting back from the desert to read more next week :-)

I have enjoyed this thread.
I had a great day at wedge, thanks to all who organised.
The hijacking of the thread to discuss the old debate
"Strapped versus Unstrapped" Love it,

Strapped versus Unstrapped?
Bras versus no bra?
Underwire versus soft cup?
Pushup versus sports?
Real versus fake?
Big versus small?
We love them all