AboutPatrick Dean Expertise Windsurfing expert. 20+ years windsurfing experience. I can give advice
about learning to windsurf, the best places to learn and the best
equipment to learn on. I can also offer advice on what equipment to
purchase based on your skill level, weight and sailing location. Ask me before you buy. The boards made in the last 5 or 6 years are so much easier to sail and learn on.
An advance word of advice: stay away from buying old boards unless you know exactly what you are buying and know that all parts are there. I get so many questions about how to set up old boards that usually end up being broken or missing parts and it is impossible to buy parts for these old boards.
Try not to buy a board that is more than 5 or 6 years old. As boards age they begin to absorb water. Once that occurs the board is toast and it happens with a lot of boards over 10 years old.
When you ask questions, please let me know what part of the world you are from so I can tailor the advice to your location.
Expert: Patrick Dean Date: 8/13/2008 Subject: Footstraps adjustment
Question Hi !
I just bought a brand new Starboard Rio M. on line. The board is fine, but, even following the manufacturer's instructions and after contacting the technical department of the on-line store, who have been as helpful as possible, I am unable to extend the footstraps to adjust them to my foot, which is normal size. I have to admit that I never used straps before. The foot-straps' brand is " Drake ". I have screwed them on, but when it comes to adjusting them and I undo the outer and inner velcros and I pull on the strap with the hand to extend it, nothing happens. They seem to be fixed on a very low setting, with the loop ( or the arch )high enough to fit in the tip of the foot, with the toes, but VERY snug . Actually I was unable to slip the foots in while surfing, because it takes some playing and pushing with the foot, which is ackward to do with precision when the board is wabbling and moving.I am sure the strap should be extended a lot more to allow for an easy insertion of the foot.
Are the straps supposed to be THAT snug ? It doesn't make any sense. Or is there perhaps something I am missing ?
I'd appreciate your comments/instructions
Thank you.
Franco
Answer You should definitely be able to adjust foot straps. I have never heard of Drake brand so I am not sure of how they are constructed. All footstraps I have seen have an outer cover which is velcroed down the center of the top of the strap. You open that up and then should see a plastic strap with velcro on it. Pull back the top velcro cover then your should see the top plastic strap and just be able to pull that away from the bottom plastic strap. Hope that helps.
