So as I've been progressing I've started to try and ride toeside this weekend, problem is the moment I switch the board I simply get pulled over. Some research says that it's recommended to have a sliding hook, now the question, will this just make it a bit more comfortable and easier, or is it pretty much necessary to have a sliding hook?

Thanks

Many many people ride toeside without a fancy spreader bar. I am trying and suck at it... so I'm hoping it's lack of equipment rather than skill.

The vast majority of people who ride toeside use a normal harness and do it just fine. All you need is practice and it will click in and you will wonder why you ever found it difficult.

You will find that you prefer one side over the other and that is normal for most people.

The advice to put your weight on the front foot is good and applies not only to toeside. Most people have far too much weight on their back foot all the time. It's most obvious on directionals but it applies to TT as well. You need to engage the rail of the board to get it to track properly.

Yeah, I've learnt to ride toeside on my surfboard the last couple of months and am pretty comfortable both ways. It's a super handy skill, particularly in the waves when you need to do a quick turn to avoid getting monstered and don't want to risk switching your feet. I think a normal spreader bar is fine, it just pulls around a little. The balance takes a bit of learning particularly in chop or gusty winds. As above you have to commit to most weight on front foot and leaning right out. And accept a few crashes as part of the experience ! Good luck!

Agree with the above. Harness loose enough to swivel to your hip, rotate though shoulders and hips, weight 90% on front foot and fly kite with leading hand. I reckon you can almost go as well upwind toeside as heel side when you get it sorted. If you are on a surfboard then board trim is really important - if you stand on your back foot it's like putting the brakes on. You want your board nice and flat, not pointing at the sky.

Inspired by this topic, I bought a dynabar V7 and hooked it up using the "surf bar"...... It definitely makes toeside easier but does take some time to get used to it.

I had to give a lot of thought to the positioning of my body to stop the harness/chicken loop connection sliding left and right across my body. Keep your fingers well away!!!!!!!

I will go and attempt the other 27 variations of hooking it up and let you know how I go. I suspect I will end up using the fix point and unhooking onto the rope for toeside (search "dynabar soma bay" and there is dude demonstrating it).