Can't get on a directional board

I enjoy watching Mitu - the F-one rider showing us weekend warriors what is possible if you have a job that most of us would love !! He actually rides strapped and unstrapped depending on the conditions - and even uses a leg rope occasionally !!
And yes he can change feet while on a wave - WTF ??
So I reckon ride strapped when its needed and ride unstrapped when its right ! This big push to be an unstrapped hero is bollocks ........... just my 2cw

There is a third option if you don't get on with surfboards. Perhaps you prefer the powered feel of the kite and wave when wave riding? If you are not a surfer searching for the ultimate surfing experience using the kite only to power you back upwind, then you could also consider a mutant. A mutant will give you better wave performance than a TT while still giving you the option of TT style riding.

I got the surfboard rode it for 6 months. Sure it was nice on the wave face. But I hated it for everything else. I hated the limitation of the foam core construction, hated not being able to ride the shallows or the fact that I needed to worry about fins being smashed off on rocks. It didn't boost as well and wasn't as smooth in chop.

So I built myself a mutant. Sure, it doesn't turn as tight on the wave face, It turns tight enough for my style. Plus I enjoy the **** out of it for everything else. I can ride any wave a guy on a surfboard can ride. I'm riding in swell that sends all TT riders for the beaches, Plus when the conditions get real hectic washing machine surf and stupid winds the surfboard riders stop having fun and head into the beach also. I'm left riding by myself on those stupid days enjoying the **** of the conditions.

Site note. I'm not a surfer and have no desire ride a wave like a surfer. I'm a mountain biker and want to ride the waves like my on personal jump park. So jumping is primary for me then followed by a sweet wave ride on the way back in. I want to do that on one board. I don't want swap boards. The mutant give me the grin levels that neither standard TT or SB can give me.

Update on the past week-end

Hi guys and thank you for all your precious suggestions. So, this is what happened last week-end.
Overall I had an average of 18-20 knots Saturday and 15 knots Sunday.

This is what I have achieved so far:
- Water start sucks. It is damn difficult. You have to catch the right momentum, while the board gets dragged downwind with you. Honestly I think that footstraps are just an impediment for a proper water start, so I removed them
- I am goofy and riding left side or right side was just fine. Lovely sensation. Carving is a total different story, I just have to learn how to control kite and carve and not end put with my nose completely upwind
- I also found that it's easier to recover when you loose speed, just point downwind, move a bit the kite in the power zone and as soon as the surfboard starts to plan you are back on track

I still have 2 problems, anyway:
- I had to do 1 body drag and with a surfboard is almost impossible, how do you body drag with a surfboard? You don't?
- Water start is hard as hell, how many sessions will take in order to have a good handle of water start in deep water? 5-6 sessions?

Anyway I can say now that is addictive, for me, coming from surf/SUP/Windsurf the surf board is way more funny than a TT, but I don't like freestyle, so that's why.

Lose the straps. Riding strapless is actually easier to learn.

once again jack forbes kills it with solid advise. DO WHAT HE SAYS MATE! stay patient, it will come faster then you think

Robbie Naish doesn't seem to have an issue riding strapped...