With feet that big, couldn't you just kite without a board?

Wow -
a very well put together article -
must have been written by an engineer - to be so detailed -

Very informative - and riding both ways can be a good thing to do if you want to but my advice for new comers to surfboards is simple

Just ride with in your natural stance and avoid the frustration of trying to gybe

which means riding toeside - it is oh so simple when you get the hang of it

cheers Bruce