The easiest way to get into the footstraps windsurfing!

Having trouble getting into the straps?
Struggling to move your feet once the boards speeds up?
This is the video for you!
The quickest and easiest way to get the board up to speed.
Make sure you have
- POWER! This technique does not work when it's marginal or under-powered.
- In-board bootstraps make it much easier!
The pattern...
- Sail across the wind
- Un-hook
- Step back into both straps- non-planing
- Pull down through the boom to stop the board spinning into wind.
- Use the squirrel / T-Rex stance!
- Drop out, back and down, pushing hard through the front foot.
- Once unto speed come back up wind by changing your vision (look over your leading shoulder), and engaging your heels.
- Hook into the harness late!
The other technique mentioned in this video can be found here...
• How to get in footstra...
Filmed on Point 7 sail F1e 5.4 hybrid.
Starboard 124 carve
Filmed in Vassiliki, Greece.
Filmed using InstaOneR 360 mod.
Sound records on InstaMic.

[@marklewis7306]

Thank you so much. I've been trying, unsuccessfully, to get into the footstraps for years and after taking note of all the tips, and some steady wind over the weekend, I've been able to repeatedly get into the straps... thanks very much!!

[@Cookiesports]

👍👍👍

[@gerhardracsko2739]

You are my hero! Worked on first try,plus that nice extra,that i always get a smile on the face when getting into squirrel stance with that pictures in my head of a surfing squirrel or t.rex👍 Thx a lot!!!

[@Cookiesports]

🤣 great to here about your success! Keep it up!

[@Davidallen9]

Fantastic video. I'm definitely trying this at my next session. Im particularly bad at the moment for getting into the back strap.

[@Cookiesports]

🤙🤙🤙

[@joakimyliruusi]

This was amazing, for many reasons! First, it is now seen that you actually can fall in, i've never seen that before😅 Second,this is exactly where I am at. Can get planing nicely out of the straps, but then the speed and chop already makes it too hard to get into the straps. Usually ends in a catapult. But with this technique I should get in the straps before the speed picks up. Thank you once again 🤙

[@Cookiesports]

Hahah! Me falling in is getting more reactions that point I was trying to make! 🤣

[@TopMaphis]

Exactly my point

[@joakimyliruusi]

I tried this cheat today and got into the front straps quite easily! But there was not enough power so could not get up on the plane. But by using the t-rex stance I was able to not go upwind, so still plowing forwards with the foot in the strap. Thank you, great stuff!

[@ianwoodvine5558]

Every time I hear the intro I think of Too Many Zooz 😂😂

[@Cookiesports]

Had to search to understand the reference! 🤣

[@ghughes20]

Wow, on that wipe out, your hair almost go wet!!! Also, that water-start was amazingly quick!! Thanks for the pointers, I'll try this technique next time I'm on the water.

[@Cookiesports]

Thanks! 👍👍👍

[@aaronmedina357]

I don’t think I have seen All of Cookies’ videos, but it’s awesome to finally see him accidentally drop into the water, even though it’s not as dramatic as all my wipeouts!

[@Cookiesports]

Haha! More comments in the fall than anything else! 🤣🤣🤣

[@turtlestraws4623]

the t-rex squirrel is the absolute favourite of mine, translates/transfers into finishing off loops as well

[@Cookiesports]

Hahah! A classic from the Bruce! Didn’t know you actually watch these videos! 😜

[@Eiten177]

Thank you for another great session.

[@Cookiesports]

👍👍👍

[@Premed1981]

Great video !

[@Cookiesports]

👍👍👍 Thanks!

[@dustintravis8791]

Vassiliki, Greece looks like a beautiful place to sail!

[@Cookiesports]

It really is, hope you can make it out to us one day!

[@ThePixelfou]

Merci pour ces conseils !

[@Cookiesports]

Merci!

[@wills3212]

Really great stuff I’m going to try this today!!

[@Cookiesports]

Have fun! Hope it works!

[@doggylover1958]

Thanks, that’s great! I’ve been struggling with the back strap, this is just what I needed.

[@Cookiesports]

👍👍👍

[@mommomom6501]

Good learning as always, that was the first time I saw you falling in the water, I think you should have more of your fails in you videos it shows that even the best of us fail. ;)

[@Cookiesports]

Haha! 🤣 Me falling in is getting more comments than anything else!

[@brandanbennett6938]

Seriously Cookie thank you! I got my first planing foot straps harness this year. I appreciate your videos very much can't wait to take me and the misses get a lesson in person🤙

[@Cookiesports]

Hope to see you in Vassiliki next summer! 👍👍👍

[@kev-the-windsurfer.]

Excellent video as always, not much for me in this one, but I still enjoy them and like to see the techniques in practice.....I always get something from your videos.

[@Cookiesports]

👍👍👍 Thanks Kev!

[@bradmurdaugh5228]

Thanks for all of your great videos I always get so much out of them. Thank you also for the oops to remind us even an experienced riders don't always manage to stay dry. I even learned a better falling technique 😁

[@Cookiesports]

👍👍👍👍 I thought maybe I'd stop editing out the crashes!

[@maxagent86]

The idea that pulling the sail back prevents the board from turning upwind is counterintuitive to beginners and many intermediates, as this is exactly how to turn the board upwind in non-planning conditions. Perhaps you could elaborate more? Nice helpful video, as usual.

[@Cookiesports]

Very true… I’ll add it to a list to film. Short answer…. -As you speed up and get planning the board releases from the water. -As a easily the centre or lateral resistance moves back towards the fin. - if the rig stays in the same place you’ll be off down wind. - by pulling the rig back the centre of effort in the sail is closer to matching the newly positioned centre of lateral resistance so you go in a straight line. 👍

[@maxagent86]

@@Cookiesports Thank you!

[@chautamtv]

I found your video great. The scenery is so beautiful. Wish I could go there once. Thank you so I found your video great. The scenery is so bea. I like too. Good like toooo ..!!!...!!!.’

[@Cookiesports]

Thanks for watching!

[@marcofranchi2079]

sei un grande!!!

[@Cookiesports]

👍

[@pauljones4388]

Yes !!! F1E thanks mate :)

[@Cookiesports]

Great sail! I'm so in love with it!

[@pauljones4388]

What’s the lightest wind you would rig it for ? 85kg - 90 , average skills . ~18knots ?

[@TopMaphis]

Gonna try it today! Thanks!

[@Cookiesports]

👍👍👍👍

[@TopMaphis]

@@Cookiesports finally managed to get into the front footstrap!! I knew the board controll will be much better in the straps but holy cow... Its another dimension. Even with one strap. Thanks a lot, after your videos I finally had the courage to step in. 🤜🤛 🤙🤙

[@Cookiesports]

👍👍👍👍👍👍

[@baixdata9716]

Ohhhh another superb video !!!!! Thx !!!!! Could you make some video about pumping ?

[@Cookiesports]

In the planning phase right now!

[@marneyman]

I'd got into the front straps using this technique today, kept the board totally flat.

[@Cookiesports]

Great work! 🙌🙌🙌

[@jamesdougall2886]

another great video Simon! thanks a lot. This is exactly what I need atm...I get planing but on lake Geneva there are always fair sized waves (I'm always jealous of the lovely flat sea on your vids!), so if you're planing but not in the straps the buffeting from waves tends to make you lose control pretty quickly (at least at my level). This is cheat should work really well! cheers

[@Cookiesports]

👍👍👍

[@mariapetrou2003]

I have been watching your videos for a while and I am wondering if you are from Greece, because Vasiliki is in Λευκάδα(Leukada)

[@Cookiesports]

Vassiliki is lefkada, yes… that’s where I spend my summers…. But no I’m not Greek. 🇬🇷

[@natanabrams622]

First time I tried the squirrel stance approach: Only 10 knot wind and got into the straps, but couldn't prevent myself from skewing totally upwind and falling. Second time was with 15 knot wind and finally got it working and I was flying along, planing faster than I've ever managed! What a rush! Thanks Cookie! This was all without a harness. Getting the sail to stay in the proper position once planing is NOT easy. What I have noticed is that it's easier to get through chop (which we have almost ALL the time) when you're moving quickly, so I'm glad I finally got there!

[@Cookiesports]

Great to hear! As I started reading and saw 10 kn, instantly I was thinking “not enough POWER!” So really good to continue reading and that you tried it in stronger winds! To hook in point up wind a little higher once you have got the board going and into the straps. As you do this the sale will come closer to you and it will be easier to reach the lines. I have a new series starting tomorrow, a whole bunch of short 60second videos! Make sure you check them out, sure to read all of the descriptions as they will really help you understand the skills!

[@mikkovulli]

Tried this yesterday in very low conditions and i was able to get to front foot strap for a few seconds before the gust died. Definitely seems to hurt the acceleration of the board, but yeah, works 😂😂

[@Cookiesports]

You definitely need POWER to make this work! 🤩🤩

[@mikkovulli]

Yeah, finally had some wind (18m/s), to be honest I was overpowered most of the time, but was able to try this again. Very nice cheat to get going!

[@trexinvert]

Correct me if I'm wrong but the keys are: 1.) Riding the wind without needing to sheet in. 2.) Squatting down and pulling boom with your body weight to create same force as "leaning back w/harness" 3.) Planing sensation is really like "doing a wheelie". You have to lean back and control on two wheels, but on windboard a single edge like "only one wheel". 4.) Now, the control is all hell and toe. As a beginner/intermediate I didn't like the feeling when the board would start getting very slippery when I caught a strong gust like 20 knots or more. I didn't understand that when the nose goes up, that the you need to let the tail sink in deeper into the water for control. Then when you feet get into the strap, you can not only sink the tail but "only one edge" on the tail to cut into the water like a keel. Now, at this point there is no more "beginner" sail control by rocking forwards or back. It's all heel and toe. The sail/harness/body is now mainly working to maintaining the "wheelie" position.

[@Cookiesports]

Mmmmm…. Not sure about that. Don’t think I’ve mentioned the “wheelie” idea… not sure I like it as an analogy.

[@Jhoekstra]

It’s the first time I see you taking a dive😃. Great video!

[@Cookiesports]

Thought I'd keep it in at the end 😉 Maybe I shouldn't edit them out in the future?!

[@andrejagrca6188]

Lol, I was thinking the exact same thing! No editing in the future! Thanks for the great tips, though. :)

[@suporter1024]

Same, I was like finally, he is a human 😂

[@Jhoekstra]

@@suporter1024 😂

[@jonmullet5739]

Your videos are super helpful, they really make a difference for someone like me who has no other windsurfers for hundreds of kilometres around me to learn from. I might have to try this technique for getting in the foot straps, but frankly after two seasons of windsurfing, my feet are nowhere near the footsteps. I’ve actually taken them off my board, and plan on putting them back in once I encounter a moment when they seem useful. Maybe I’ll have to try the squirrel technique, because that’s the problem I have is the front of the board goes up in the back sinks as soon as I step back. Thanks for the tips!

[@Cookiesports]

Don't rush it- two sessions on a board is not much at all, focus on control and stability, use of the harness and steering.... as these things improve you'll be able to get further back and allow the board to speed up! 👍

[@jamesoof1522]

Thanks for another excellent video. Can you explain a bit more about how to pull down on the boom while avoiding pulling the back of the boom down towards the back of the board, which would also make you skew upwind? I presume also pushing away a little with the front hand? Thanks,

[@Cookiesports]

Exactly right, pulling down doesn't need to affect where the sail goes in relation to the board... try steering a little off the wind first, then pull down through the boom (in the T-Rex style stance) as you step back. A great light wind practice.. then take it into the high winds!

[@jesperhansen1835]

Hi Cookie, Keep the great videos coming, and congrats with your new sponsor. Regarding your new sail from Point 7, what sail would you recommend for freeride, SPY or F1e, normal conditions on my spot, from flat water to small waves 20-30CM, freeride board 125L, and FSW board 104L, what sail would you go for. B.RGS Jesper

[@Cookiesports]

I think as a all round pure fin sail you can’t beat a quiver of Spy’s. The F1E I’m loving too, barely notice the cam ones rigged right (usually I hate cams!), but for the description of riding you’re going to- the Spy! 👍

[@snowteamalex17]

another great video, thanks Cookie! Can I ask if you could record something about "how to sail in strong winds (>25knt) with wrong (too big) sail"? I recently experienced in Garda Lake - Italy a 25 knts wind with gust at 30 knts... unfortunately the surf rental gave me a 6.0mt and 120lt board as the wind inshore didn't look so strong, but just 50mt outside it was literally insane as it was to control the sail in those conditions (big annoying waves and strong gusts). Thx

[@Cookiesports]

Thanks for watching. I've got a video coming soon that'll help with that for sure! 👍

[@vyleart4488]

The biggest mistake I have seen when teaching a few of my friends indeed falling back going upwind, is to make sure they stay heading slightly downwind (as opposed to being already too close winded) and keep that heading as they move back towards the straps. (which your trex stance does exactly)

[@3denlightenment]

Thanks for this. I will try this squirrel stance next time I'm out. I've always had the problem of the board immediately pointing into the wind. So based on your description, the squirel stance will hold the sail steady, but from my experience, pulling down the boom will actually make the board point into the wind. At one point, I noticed you said "pull down through the mast" which is probably the better way to phrase it. So by getting into the squirel stance you keep the sail steady and cruising across wind before you step your feet back. A question... what wind speed are you sailing in?

[@Cookiesports]

Hi! Thanks for watching. The squirrel stance should hold the board steady as you step back and towards/into the foot straps. Pulling down through the boom will stop the board pointing into the wind as you step back. This video is in clearly gusty conditions, ranging between 12 to 20 kn.

[@calummacarthur1149]

does it help to put the mast foot forward for this - as you learn? (in addition to lots of mast foot pressure)- great video

[@Cookiesports]

Hi! Sorry for the delay messaging back, missed the comment somehow! Mast base (UJ) forward can make it easier to get planning and into the straps….however it’ll be much much harder to stay up wind- you’ll be constantly sailing off the wind! Keep it in the centre!

[@patrickoneill9241]

With this trick and your steering tips, I got a top speed of 39km/h today and was consistently getting into the foot straps. The only problem with this technique is that I'm going to be feeling it in my arms, back and core for the next few days! I spent most of today in the squirrel pose which is definitely not comfortable.

[@Cookiesports]

Only use the squirrel stance when you have power, and only for the moment you’re trying to get going… in this video I never stayed in the position for longer than a few seconds!

[@patrickoneill9241]

I'll remember that for next time. My goal yesterday was to be in the straps as much as possible to get more confident with them. In my next session, I'll be trying to tie everything together. Really enjoying your videos! Thank you for all your tips and tricks

[@Cookiesports]

Thanks! 👍👍👍

[@cwright1971]

Great. Has Vass been busy this year?

[@Cookiesports]

Not a busy as 2019, but still loads of people about!

[@Rehberaabi]

thank you for this great "cheat". I've been using that trick while falling from planing but didn't know how to prevent the board to skip upwind, now I know that, thnx :) would you please help us for "heading upwind while plaining on choppy water"

[@Cookiesports]

Absolutely! Biggest tip is use your vision- turn your head and shoulders to look up towards the wind, then ride the chop... it won't be a consistent line in chop- you'll be riding up and down through the waves

[@dimitris2d]

Great video as always 🙏! I have trouble getting in the back footstrap especially when there are a lot of gusts as I tend to lose control of the board. I think your tips will help me manage that. Do you by any chance have beginner boards for sale now that the season in Vassiliki is coming to end? I'm looking for my daughter (age 7) and I'm in Kefalonia at the moment so it would be easy to get to Vassiliki. Thank you!

[@Cookiesports]

Hi! I don’t have boards for sale just now- but find the Facebook group “Vassiliki buy and sell” and ask in there.

[@dimitris2d]

@@Cookiesports Thanks!!

[@shultzo]

Hi Cookie, I'm a big fan, Cheers! I have a request, not for the first time I see you slowing down cruising slowly and effortlessly in 20ish knots wind, as you calmly explain something. how do you do that?! when I'm in 20knts wind I'm mostly holding on for dear life and getting exhausted pretty fast. Of course we all want to be planning and blast away, but I wish you would do a clip explaining how to slow down in high wind to rest and regroup yourself. Thanks!

[@Cookiesports]

Aim higher up wind! Always the answer to gaining control! I've got a video coming soon about foot control that'll really help with this. 👍

[@shultzo]

​@@Cookiesports what about sheeting the sail out?

[@Cookiesports]

@@shultzo to "sheet out" pull in slightly with the front arm... this is part of sailing up-wind on the plane.

[@hoppertje71]

Hi Cookie, in support of Shalom; I also had a great session last week, starting to plane at a gusty 15 knots, due to your incredible vids, but similarly also hanging on for dear life. Being on my heels, around "close reach", I didn't manage to steer more upwind, probably hanging too much backward with too little backfoot pressure to steer more upwind. In that situation, I also didn't manage to get into the harness, simply not having the power to sheet in the sail a bit more to hook-in. Then trying to slow/power down, I try to open the sail a bit more and get a bit more upright (which you frequently show so calmly, as noted by Shalom above) but in stead of depowering, the sail is simply blown out of my hands). I understand this is all timing/balance/direction, but not knowing exactly what I do wrong, I also would appreciate a vid specifically aimed at this progressing windsurfer (from beginner to intermediate) in gusty conditions, seeking for directions to go from "overpowered" to "underpowered" conditions.

[@Cookiesports]

I’ll have a think and get filming! 👍👍👍👍

[@jorisvandenbosch6512]

I actually do the opposite, I do the back strap first. While still keeping all the weight on the front foot, when a gust hits i lift up my front foot and close the sail, and then the board gets planing and i have all the time to easely get in the front strap

[@Cookiesports]

Unusual technique you have there- certainly not recommended! 😜

[@ototssyhofht]

@@Cookiesports 😂

[@adamb.8854]

If i try to get into the straps when not plaining, i have the feeling that my stance is somehow edgy, and i start fall backwards, or should i stay more upright? I have not tought that so much twisted and leanee back and outsode body position is needed. Thanks

[@nielsvandenheuvel4981]

You need power to get into the straps

[@Cookiesports]

If you don't have power you need to be very inboard and forward- the T-rex stance used in this videos as a great light wind practice. However, to do this cheat and make it work for getting you onto the plane you need a decent amount of power!

[@vernallen6611]

What kind of camera, audio setup do you use?

[@Cookiesports]

All in the description…plus an in-depth look into my camera set up coming very soon! 👍

[@vernallen6611]

@@Cookiesports ty! Love the vids!

[@iordanisiordanidis1289]

What kind of nose protection is this?

[@Cookiesports]

It’s built into the board when you buy it!

[@Str8representing]

2:07 3:46

[@Cookiesports]

🕺

[@i_seoul_u4034]

Thanks for the video. If I move the weight to the back side to get into foot straps in the light wind, the board turns toward upwind really quick. and lose balance, power. Do you keep your rig far away from you to the forward side?

[@Cookiesports]

Yes- exactly as described in the video! 👍

[@allagreta9990]

Hy Cookie try this for me once in a while and then discuss the pros and cons of both methods. 1. Enough wind for gliding (not enough: forget the straps) 2. (Precondition) Your Foot joints (ankle) stabilize your Board. 3. Put your feet wider apart by reaching your backleg to the back-foostrap still maintaining the center of your body (center of weight) as before. 4. forward Foot joint only stabilizes the Board 5. Backfoot being close to the back-footstrap...slip into it 6. Now stabilize the Board with the Foot in the back-footstrap 7. Sheet in the Sail 8. Step into the front-footstrap.

[@Cookiesports]

Noooooo! Tried, tested and epic fails for everyone trying to get in the footstraps. This is not the way to get going! Watch the video, apply the points made….quick success! 👍👍👍