Quote:The only thing they’re good for is reducing forward movement = big drag device.
If you like you footing and a kick type tail , just concave it in the area you want.
The next comp I enter,I’m going to give all my competitors a tailpad with as much kicked edges as I can find !!!lol !!!
Herb … if you’re saying that much water wraps around to the deck to where a traction pad would cause drag - wouldn’t your back foot/heel/toes be like a parachute, with or without a traction pad? Unless my toes or heel was hanging off past the rail line, I don’t know that I’ve ever felt water drag from my back foot while on the deck.
Yes, your feet can(positioning is key) …along with leashes…especially on shorter , thinner, narrower,boards.
Heck , some of the old woodies were ruddered with a foot,not a skeg,or fin.
One of the worst cases of drag I have felt ( during/while/ paddling/catching waves ) was from a pair of Xcel gum sole booties.
The toes are split ,but the gum sole raps up around the fromt of the toes to enclose them somewhat.
The problem is that it creates a cup in the top of the booties and it’s some of the worst drag I have felt in along time.Herb