Hey,
I'm wondering if any of the crew busting airs on strapped boards can give me some advice on what you're riding and how your boards are handling impact.
I keep cracking the front-foot heel-side rail of my strapped surfboards when doing down-winders on the Perth coast.
I'm riding epoxy boards, one shaped by Dave Lewey, but I think the glass was a bit light on that, and another Naish board with carbon fibre rails, bamboo laminate etc, but I've cracked that one as well.
I'm riding natural all the time, and launching backside airs to flat which I think is doing half the damage.
Don't wanna stop going strapped cause I love the floaters and airs and fun you can have like that.
Look forward to suggestions of stronger boards if they're out there!
Cheers.

same with me. I have had a custom kite board with heavily reinforced foot pads and I cracked the rails just behind my front foot. I had it repaired and I have cracked it again. I dont know what the solution is other than to not ride so hard.

I have snapped a couple after noticing rail cracks just in front of rear straps, Ben Wilson pro slingshot and North Contact.

The reason Is that flat landing for what ever reason on a surf board is bad seems to be a weak point, thats were all my surfboards snap too from regular surfing. Most riders have most of their weight on the rear of the board for control so boards snap at the stress point or fulcrum closest to rear foot.

A tip from me would be that if you feel like your going to land flattish, try and correct by lifting front leg or powering up a bit or just bail, boards are so xxxy no jumps worth a grand for us regular folk.

Reason I have never snapped a board unstrapped is the board is never horizontal as you need some vert to get wind to hold board to your feet. and I'm no good and enjoy not having to worry about the board when in the air. more fun for me ATM

I'm pretty impressed, you didn't comment about the straps Werty, you must be happy about the seabreeze thats starting to roll in lol

At least go coventional construction, thats PU foam core and polyester / glass laminate. That way the foam will take some of the impact, Epoxy board will hold to a point and then have major failure with all the results like water intake etc.
Straps will give you control when landing and you can avoid all the stress on the board by putting the tail or rail down, but probably not the style you want. Stay away from closed cell poly styrene boards they will delaminate on the brochure.

I ride strapped for off the lip moves and Im OK with that