Shrinking footstraps

General discussions about windsurfing: equipment, setup tips, problems, where to go, where you should have been, lost and found
Post Reply
TDerk
Posts: 6
Joined: Wed Apr 24, 2013 8:22 am
Location: Victoria

Shrinking footstraps

Post by TDerk »

I have some fairly fresh bic footstraps which won't hold their shape. They're stored with 3 inch pvc pipe to keep them stretched out. As soon as water hits them they shrink down to their smallest size which makes it challenging to wiggle my bootied feet into them. Anything else I can do to make them hold their shape?
User avatar
downwind dave
Website Donor
Website Donor
Posts: 1469
Joined: Thu Apr 29, 2004 9:05 am
Location: Cobble Hill

Post by downwind dave »

you need to keep those footstraps dry!
User avatar
KUS
Website Donor
Website Donor
Posts: 2783
Joined: Fri Jan 02, 2004 8:32 am
Been thanked: 2 times

Post by KUS »

hmmm, I think you mean once wet, when they are dry they shrink....

If they are fairly new, warranty! stop supporting shitty products and hold the supplier accountable....

if not then buy new straps :?:

The tennis balls or pipe or whatever to hold the strap shape is kinda embarrassing.....no :?: not to mention time consuming to get on the water :wink:
Wish less, sail more!!
Vancouver Island Windsports
Chinook /Takuma /KA Australia (Tribal) /Aztron

You're either in or in the way....
Doing things the hard way since 1963....
User avatar
JL
Posts: 2610
Joined: Thu May 22, 2003 8:57 am
Location: Saanichton / Shirley (French Beach)
Been thanked: 2 times
Contact:

Post by JL »

I find my harness is shrinking :?
Thermals are good.
GWIND
Posts: 428
Joined: Tue Apr 11, 2006 8:30 pm

What is Bic ?

Post by GWIND »

Burn them ! 8)
Thinking is over rated- Homer Simpson
User avatar
winddude
Posts: 497
Joined: Sat Oct 17, 2009 11:01 am
Location: Dude, it's windy

Post by winddude »

I've never heard of the shrinking footstrap phenomenon usually they loosen up as they get wet. I'd replace them.

Shrinking harness syndrome however is very common at the beginning of seasons.

Also if you're having trouble getting your feet in when shrunk, it sounds like they are way to small. Ideally you want your foot as close to the center line as possible, with the strap over the arch of your foot.

Look at Steven van Broeckhoven's foot and strap in this pic, for an idea of size.

Image
Last edited by winddude on Mon May 26, 2014 5:28 pm, edited 4 times in total.
Must ... Sail... More...
Lawrence <a href="http://www.winddude.com">'Wind Dude'</a> Stewart
GWIND
Posts: 428
Joined: Tue Apr 11, 2006 8:30 pm

Weird

Post by GWIND »

Ya Lawrence, they had a serious bout of shrinking foot strap syndrome in the Gorge years ago. Then they stopped selling BICS and the problem just disappeared. Huh
Thinking is over rated- Homer Simpson
Post Reply