To flex or not to flex???

evansgo · Newbie Joined: 19 Jan 2011 Posts: 2

I'm just finalising a deal on a LF witness grind 2011 and am looking for some advice about the best binding to get.

I'm a relative novice, can do surface tricks and wake to wake jumps (sometimes!), 95% of my riding is in the sea in Cyprus, but have just started to get into cable parks Very Happy

I have got a minor knee injury so want to look after that, so have been looking at the LF watson bindings as they look like they give plenty of support. BUT I'm a bit worried because they keep being called "pro" boots for expert levels and being described as very firm.

I've never really thought about boot flex before, so how much difference does this make and will a pro boot not work for a relative beginner?
Thanks all

LFADAM · Posted: Jan 20, 2011 7:56 am Post subject:

The amount of flex will not hurt you as a beginner. The main difference with flex in bindings is that some riders like to be able to poke grabs and tweak more, using more flexible bindings, while others prefer to be very locked in and supported with stiff bindngs.

A stiffer binding will protect you from rolling an ankle better, but the flex doesnt really affect knee injuries much. That would have more to do with how tight you lace your bindings up. If you keep them pretty loose, you will come out of both in a hard fall. If you lace them tight, you probably wont come out, which is usually fine (I prefer tight), but it may allow you to tweak your knees on a hard fall in a way you might not if the bindings released.

Stance angle also plays a big part in knee injuries. If you duck your bindings too much or too little, it puts a lot of stress on your knees. You want it right in the middle, where you would be comfortable. A good way to think about stance is think about how you would land if you jumped off a ledge and landed on flat ground. Knees a little over shoulder wide, feet pointed slightly out.

The watsons are great bindings. Im sure you will love them

evansgo · Newbie Joined: 19 Jan 2011 Posts: 2

OK thanks very much for the feedback, I'm happy with that choice then.

Another question for anyone who rides LF, what's the differences between a PS3 and a Witness? I've currently got a Witness on order but preferred the graphics of the PS3, and reading all the specs etc they look pretty similar, so I wondered about swapping the order. Unfortunately where I am I have no option to try any of them so its all buying blind....

LakeIolaLuke · Posted: Jan 20, 2011 11:00 am Post subject:

The PS3 is a little faster, with a bit more into-the-flats type pop. The witness is more of a wake-to-wake type board. Both are very forgiving, and relatively loose with the center fins removed.

Craig-R · Wakeboarder.Commie Joined: 19 Dec 2008 Posts: 1676

where in Cyprus are you? i was teaching a Russian family how to wakeboard and wakesurf this past summer in Larnaca

shaggyboarder · Posted: Jan 23, 2011 12:28 pm Post subject:

Id go for the witness over the ps3. Although the rolled edges of the ps3 may save you catching an edge sometimes I feel that the witness is an overall more consistent board. Any of the pro model LF bindings are awesome my personal faves are the sovens. If you wanna save some coin, I find that the harleys are just as good as the watsons.