Looking around my local club, most sailors are using 2 individual straps on each side for the upwind positions.

However, there are a couple of good sailors that use a single large strap in that position, presumably with both feet in the same strap.

What are the pros & cons of each of these strap options?

Good question!!

But I've also seen Raceboards with two upwind beating footstraps, where one is the standard size, but the other one is much wider. On the ones I've seen, I never thought that you could get two feet in the strap I saw... I just guessed that it gave you more room and options of where exactly you wanted your foot (and weight) to be in that area.

Anyway, yes I'm also curious from you experts, what the pros and cons are of these different width straps.

Greg -

I've had some thoughts on this since my original post.

My current board has 2 upwind footstraps, both being for a single foot each.

I am finding that in light to moderate winds, when my front foot is on the centreline and I want to get my back foot into the straps, that the back upwind footstrap is too far back on the board. Having a wide footstrap might let your foot be positioned in a range of locations.

Is this the reason for / use of the wide footstrap?

I've nearly always put my front foot in a strap before my back. Doing so the other way makes my boards tail heavy when I'm trying to plane up. Why do you have your front foot centerline when seeking the back? Maybe I'm just confused?

When getting onto the plane, either on a short board or into the rear footstraps of a long board (with the mast at the back of the track), the front foot goes into the straps first while the back foot stays on the centreline (usually just in front of the rear straps). This keeps the weight forward where there is more surface/planing area and centred for balance.

However, on a long board when sailing upwind (attempting to rail the baord up), moving from the centreline to the rail / upwind footstraps, the back foot goes first. This allows your back foot to drive against the centreboard laterally, which generates more power and keeps you driving upwind.

If you move your front foot first, you lose height/pointing. When your back foot is in the strap, it pushes laterally, not downwards and weight bearing - the front foot, which should be on or close to the centreline, should take most of the weight. Once you're driving upwind, railing the board, you can move your front foot to the rail.

When I converted from shortboards to longboards, I found this change in technique counter-intuitive. I felt like I was twisting in a weird way. However, I know now that this is the fastest upwind and it has become a natural movement fairly quickly.