Safety
The following video clip graphically illustrates the dangers of non-releasable footstraps on sailing boats. It also shows another drawback of the webbing strap fitted to this boat: Watch carefully at the begining of the clip when Chris struggles to get his foot into the strap. It takes 2 or 3 attempts, with Chris having to look down twice. On a fast single hander this could easily result in you losing control and losing a race. Aquastraps retain their shape so you know where they are and you won't need to look down to slide your foot securely into the strap.
This clip was taken from the superb "Awesome Aussie Skiffs" DVD from Ronstan. The original is full DVD quality professionally filmed footage of compelling and exciting 18 footer skiff racing and is definitely worth checking out.
It was lucky for Chris that he had his other 2 crew members to quickly come to his aid because, despite Chris being a super-fit competitor, he was struggling to keep his head above water. If this happened on a single hander during a training outing with no other boats nearby then the outcome could be fatal.
Fixed footstraps can be dangerous, with the wearer running the risk of serious injury (or worse) if their foot becomes trapped in the strap when the boat capsizes, nosedives, flips or crashes, or when a trapeze wire or harness fails and you fall backwards with your foot still engaged in the strap.
AquaStraps solve this problem by having an adjustable mechanism that allows your foot to be released when a greater than normal force is applied.
This will allow you to use the straps with confidence and concentrate on your sailing instead of worrying about not inserting your foot too far into the strap.