For some reason, this year I have noticed that after each session the balls of my feet are bloody killing me.

Not sure if its from trying to grip with my toes too much, getting old, or some sort of fault in my technique.

Anyone else suffer from this???

yeah, different board(s). On reflection they are much stiffer in the deck than previous models I've had (my previous boards were pretty old).
Must be something to do with it.
must relax, must relax, must relax

A HAND BAG????

With that fiery red beard, wild darting eyes and hearty a-harrrrrr as you scream down a speed run I would have thought you were more of a viking or pirate than a handbag.

The pain I get is not at skin level, more at the bone, or muscle level. Like you would get from running up stairs continuously for a couple of hours.

Pretty sure it does have something to do with bunching the toes and pressing against the board.

I have the same issue.

Last year it was pretty bad, especially walking with bare feet on the beach or after windurfing or kiting. So I went to the Doctor and had X-rays and an ultra sound.

I was diagnosed with Metatarsalgia (sore balls of the feet) and was recommended to wear supportive shoes at all times and see how it goes.

So now I nearly always wear shoes, so when I do want to walk on the beach or going kiting or windsurfing I have slight discomfort rather than pain.

So no longer wearing thongs to work for me, but at least my feet feel a lot better.

Ian