I am new on a surf board and I am riding strapless so far but only go into tiny surf at this stage. I think that you learn to ride your board more precise, technique will become great - but as I said, I am new on a surfboard
Im also new to a surfboard and as soon as i got it, went out stapless first time and was fine. Never put the straps on. Feels weird at first but fun at the same time.
Small surf (<3-4 feet) unstrapped. Greater mobility through ability to move feet, switch stance and shift weight.
Larger surf (4-25 feet, can't comment from experience above this 
) strapped. Improved capability to move through over waves, through surf line quickly without becoming separated from board. Much safer. It's highly undesirable to be body dragging in the impact zone in big waves.
clean waves -unstrapped
bigger bumpy surf - strapped
But where to find the clean waves with wind?
have never considered using strap until today.
over powered on the 7m, and water was a washing machine.
definitely could of benefited from straps, but i don't own any, so i did the washing instead.
Try using just one strap on your front foot.Back foot not so important.it will hold you to your board when getting over powered or hitting bumps.I rest my back foot against the back strap as i feel its placed to far back.Also i find that it really lets you kite alot faster, and dont have to worry about kite position all the time..I hope this helps..cheers
^ This technique is very good for all the reasons stated.
I stopped using it when a mate had his knee violently rotated and torn due to one foot strapped and one unstrapped.
Even a little wave can easily turn a board so forcefully and quickly that knee, and possibly ankle damage occurs.
Knees anything to save knee injuries!!
Have seen the one strap technique and also heard of twisted knees keeping injured out of the water for a long time.
I'm a strapless pussy going without only when conditions are perfect.
Best board grip without straps is reef booties, if you've surfed you'll remember how annoying they become because of the board grip on wax!
If you like boosting as much as the surfing bit then strapped is the way to go.
Also if you enjoy flying out through the breakers with powered flat jumps, once again you will need strap.
The strapless crew is much trendier but they stall at each wave to not lose their board on the way out ore are limited to pissy little bunny hops.
Yep, I have seen vids of Mitu bossting big while holding his board by the rail but I am yet to see anyone capable of doing this near Scarb.
If it is light wind and clean surf, I also preffer no strap as you can't beat the freedom.
