Is there any removable, slim front foot pad/grip on the market? I would like to use a front foot pad/grip and strap when kitesurfing but remove them for surfing. Too much chest rash otherwise. The bulky ones I have seen would not do. And the other ones are glue on. Also need a bit larger space than just a foot shape so I could move my foot around. Tall order I know. Thanks.
Good question!
Is the grip idea for you more for padding sake or for grip when kiting???
I have thought about this before as well and as far as I'm aware their is nothing decent about that fills this void...
I know I have seen the front grip with inbuilt inserts before but it isn't removable...
I think your best bet is just to put some inserts in your board and keep on waxing it up.
You could try making one your self, or get a surf board glasser to do the job, you will need the footstrap insert resined into the board. then a glass pad layerd onto your board which is removable and has the grip glued on to it.
Any one can make them quite easily. The materials are readily available from Clarke Rubber and any wharehouse that sells plastic sheet (signwriters can probaly give directions for plastic sheet).
I use .07mm polypropylene sheet (its called the plastic hinge) for the base plate, its very hard to tear.
EVA or PEVA sheet is readily available from Clarke rubber for the pads.
The same place that sells polypropylene will sell PVC in 15mm thickness for screw inserts, just check the offcuts bin.
This image shows home made pads and back plate.
Just contact cement the pad to the back plate.
go for it
^^^ Same idea as old mate said above... But he wants to have a very big area, like a normal front pad on a kitesurfboard which is usually glued down. Problem here is I think you will find with a pad that big it will catch a lot of water underneath which will be quite annoying and probably just end up tearing itself a little (if not fully) from the 2 inserts holding it down.
p.s. I guess if you wanted you could add an eaxtra insert or 2 near the rail of the board to help hold the pad down, then it is still easy to remove later... just a though.
Thanks fellas. Thinking I will probably have to go with a do-it-myself job from Clark rubber to get what I really want. Either that or put up with chest rash but not keen on the rash. Or just use wax but thats a bit boring. I reckon a piece about 40cm x 30cm would do. Maybe stiff plastic as base with about 5mm padding. Then just use inserts in the board to screw it in to. As mentioned by sir Rowdy water could catch on the edges, does anyone know what type of plastic base I could use that I could mould to the shape of the board? Might work if the pad could be moulded to the shape of the board.
You will find that most 'plastics' are thermo set.
Heat them up with hot water or a hair dryer (off the board that is) and then place them onto the form that you want to replicate hold in place then cool rapidly, cold water will do.
The EVA is very supple and will form to the shape easily, the softer EVA that is.
If you want one of the hard /heavy pieces then use the thermo set.
These exist, believe it or not, I had 2 of these that I have never used and had sitting around in the shed for years.
Specially designed for front foot of a surfboard and screws on/off with foot strap. Kidney shaped and the size of a XXL dinner plate.
I sold one of them and just went to have a look in the shed for the other but couldn't find it - it's there somewhere.....
Airush used to make them for their converse boards i think..... hard plastic/fibreglass base with deck grip glued on top with holes to match up with inserts.
Keep looking you will find one. Send me an email and if i come across mine in the shed I will hook you up.
Hi cqclay,
We have a few different option that would work great for you.
Give us a call here on 07 5309 6624.
Cheers,
Marcel
I use this combo on two boards which i paddle surf on and kite on ,?sorry i have no problems with rash/ Black pads are 5mm and Blue pads are 10mm
The slingshot celeritas 2010 has a removable front pad as shown here. It has a hard plastic underlay to try and keep the shape and contact with the board. 
I used it a fair bit but ended up giving up on it, as on the heavier toe side carves it would have a habit of lifting up and hurting my toes.
There was another thread around with a link to the clear, thin adhesive stuff that I use on my kite surfboard... they can cover most of the board.
Probably less removable than you'd like bit you may like it better overall.
I went through a phase of using booties(reef not thermal, $55) for a fav board that I surfed and kited. They're very effective for grip on wax no matter what condition you keep it in. I may have looked a bit of a kook but so what. Today I have different boards to kite and to surf and that's the ideal.
cheers
