hats off to you guys going unstraped on a surfboard , I tryed the other day lasted about 10 minutes , Don't know how you do it ? I lost my board too many times . allmost ever wave or big chop . As soon as I jumpped or unwaited ??? My strapes are going back on , but I can appreciate the skill you unstraped surfers have >>>>
take some concrete pills and take your straps back off, if it was super easy it would be no fun! it is awesome to have the freedom to put your feet on the best part of teh board for what you are doing at eth time - on a wave /riding upwind
Stick with it, it will get allot easier after 4-5 sessions...if you go back to straps its no biggie but at least you will know what you like...even try just yo front strap for the first couple of times..I ended up riding without straps coz i kept forgetting my screwdriver and then I just stayed with it because I enjoyed the free feeling of moving my feet around and it felt more like surfing. Besides you will definitely pick up more girls with out em.. 
Yeah mate, keep at it. The only place success comes before work is in the dictionary... 
I'm about to give it a go next session so no advise but found and read this great article www.iksurfmag.com/issue22/?page=91 should help...
Leave the straps on, you can hit the lip harder and people will laugh at you at certain places if you ride unstrapped.
Im sure you would get laughed at out at margs strappless in 25-30knts with 6ft sets, on 6m kites because it would be spot the poo man trying to keep the board to his feet. Oh sorry thats right you boys wouldn't use 6m kites over east would you, the seabreezes just dont have enough grunt.
C'mon Toad, it's not that hard, don't give up that easy.
A few things I find help is to ride much slower than when strapped. Also bend your knees and absorb the chop if you have trouble staying on after a little chop hop heading out.
There's other subtle things you do but I'm not giving them all away.
Ultimately the conditions will dictate what you can ride to have fun. As much as I love unstrapped, 70% of my riding locally has to be in straps to make the most of the sessions unfortunately.
Persistence and practice if your not from a surfing back ground, most surfers should have it sussed after half dozen sessions.
I ride unstrapped Toad.
Does that qualify as 'a life'?
Plenty of wax my friend, and take a small wax comb out in your pocket to refresh the deck after a while. Wet sand just does not work enough.
