skateboard grip tape will improve the grip on gr-9's. i've heard reports, however, that they can get a little slippy when it's wet out.

you may find that you like clips and straps more than eggbeaters. i liked mine plenty before i made the switch and found out how loosey-goosey eggbeaters really are. i can barely skid when i use my eggbeaters, i constantly clip out whenever i try to fish tail or my skid line even begins to go off of straight. with clips and straps i feel a lot more confident about trickier skids.