Patent ID: 7699678

Claim:
A binding configured for releasably attaching a user's foot to a water sports board, the binding comprising: a base plate configured for attachment to the water sports board, the base plate having a toe end and a heel end; a vibration absorbing pad that underlies the base plate; a foot pad formed from a flexible and compressible closed cell polymeric foam attached to an upper surface of the base plate; a heel loop pivotably attached to the base plate near the heel end of the base plate; and an upper assembly having a flexible and compressible front portion comprising a closed cell polymeric foam attached to the base plate and a flexible and compressible rear portion comprising a closed cell polymeric foam attached to the heel loop; wherein the base plate further comprises a pair of attachment rails, and the front portion of the upper assembly attaches to the pair of attachment rails; and wherein the rear portion of the upper assembly is movable between a lockable upright position and a rearward release position.