gh said...
Are you pulling up with your front foot? Sounds like you are pushing away to counteract the pull of the sail and this would result in your little toe getting crushed against the outside of the front strap. Had a similar thing happen last year when I took up snow boarding, pushing too hard with the front foot and jamming the little toe into the bindings, bloody sore by the end of the day.
I think I might be pushing it away as you suggest.
I'm having trouble straightening the front leg and keeping the back one bent when I just lean out, I seem to gain the most speed with pressure on the back foot and lean back. Dunno if this is a carry over from the days of old and sailing fast on open bumpy water when both legs are bent to absorb and correct the board's direction when you hit chop. I used to sail this way and did get a fair bit of spin out with wave boards and wave fins but that seems to be how I get max speed. I've lately been shutting the brain down and use the "just do it" mentality and went with what felt natural and the above is what I ended up doing. It could be all wrong!
I've been trying all sorts of body positions in fast runs eg. leaning back (how I use to do it) and lately just leaning out. Dunno if I'm getting lost in the theory with modern gear but if I lean out I find more speed if I twist my hips sideways facing forward, and thinking about it is when my leading foot pushes hard against the inside of the strap just where the metatarsal bones are. But no problems in a port tack. I reckon I've aggravated the bike injury.
If this is the case my right foot is going to be farked every time I sail in overpowered conditions!
And I like being overpowered it's a hoot!
If DrJ is right about the Kona OEM straps, and is what I also suspected, perhaps a better quality strap might be in order. I'll have a look at the angle of the current strap position on the Kona first and do a dry run and see if I can replicate the angle of the dangle I used to sail when I damaged my foot. If that's the real problem I'll change the angle. If the angle is OK I'll swap over my old Gaastra straps from my old wave board as a test, they were comfortable.
Last thought, perhaps it's also the size of the Kona One, it could just be so friggin big and heavy for long sessions in stronger winds, but this board is designed to go fast for its size in high wind...which it does. Good excuse though to just put in the Fanatic Xcross "shortboard" and shut the brain off and just get on with it. Just a bit anxious coz I don't feel my skill level is up there yet to use it....just being a big woose me thinks.
Hope this foot is not going to be an ongoing problem.
now I'm trying to do everything like a text book..
