At the end of 2025, the first surf webinar focussed on harness surfing and planing. Over 100 participants attended, picked up tips and were able to ask their own questions. It became clear that the step into the backstrap in particular obviously causes problems time and again, and not just for beginners to planing surfing, but also for surfers who have been surfing with a harness and footstraps for some time. The question from participant Kai B. is an example of this:
"I usually get the front foot into the loop quite well. I often find it difficult with the back foot. My heel drags in the water, water splashes up and it's difficult to get in. How can I best avoid this problem?"
Several things are crucial to ensure that the step into the rear loop goes smoothly: the right size of foot loop, the position of the loop on the deck and, of course, the technique you use to slip into the loops. Tips on all aspects are given below:
Loop position and size
Anyone learning to loop surf should pay particular attention to choosing a loop position that is as far forwards and inwards as possible. Boards in the freeride, freemove and freestyle wave categories offer these options. Caution is advised with very performance-orientated concepts, such as boards in the freerace and slalom categories. Here, the straps are automatically very close to the edge; an inside position is neither intended nor sensible for these types of boards. So if you regularly have problems stepping into the straps, choose one of the inner plug rows first.
Even if the size of the loop is incorrectly adjusted, this makes it more difficult to step. Ideally, the feet should be able to slip in so far that at least the toes can be seen on the inside of the loops. However, lateral support is also important! You can adjust the width of the loops using the rotating plates under the screws of the loops. It is also perfectly legitimate to use plugs that do not belong together - for the front and rear screw of a loop - to customise the width of the loop to your foot width. With the right width and size, you can slip in easily but also get enough lateral support.
The basic technique: the way into the foot loops
In light winds: pick up speed on space wind
The course on which you change into the loops can make a big difference. In light winds, it's usually just a matter of getting into the slip at all and not stalling the glide by stepping into the loops.
In strong winds: more safety upwind
If you are properly powered up, simply planing will not cause any problems, it's more about getting into the loops without any accidents. In this case too, a change of course can make it easier to get into the loops - but this time to windward.
Manuel Vogel
Editor surf
