Nick, I've read your book and was toying with using the foot brace design you have written about (the one that angles out and back and is mounted to the floor of the cockpit). I have Yakimas now and like them, but was wondering how ythe other design handled in surf.

: I've used both and haven't decided which I like better. The Yakima are
: probably made better than the plastic Keepers, but the aluminum can really
: get jammed up good with sand. Be sure to mount the drainage slots down so
: they have a better chance of cleaning themselves out.

: The Keepers have a shape which is less likely to get clogged with sand and
: even if they do, you can usually force them. However, I once had the foot
: bracket pop off while surfing. The plastic just flexed off the rail and
: left me with nothing to push against. Nothing was broken, the brace slid
: right back on and was no worse for wear..

: So neither is completely free from problems: Yakimas can jam almost
: permanently with sand, Keepers can give way at in-opportune times.