one more board leash thread

tinyE · Since 21 Jan 2006 2004 Posts not really an XTreme Poster

every once in a while, when riding strapless
surfboard in the waves, I used to attach my leash
(surfboard leash) to the board and go kite. The reason
was that if I fell off the board, you had to chase it
all the way back into the beach. I always figured that
worst case, the thin rubber tubing would snap
(as I've seen it do with regular surfing).

Recently though, I had an experience that made me reconsider.
I was caught in the washing machine with frequent poundings
and needed to body drag out of it just to get going again.
Once I started body dragging I noticed that the surfboard
was pearling and diving, creating a huge drag on me.
I have no idea how deep the board went, but I never even
considered that this was possible. I slowed the kite down,
the board popped back up, and I grabbed it and drug
the rest of the way in hanging on to the board.

Then I started thinking about all the crazy death stories
I hear on here and other forums where the kiter got drug
out of control way down shore, and couldn't help but picture
me being drug at high speed until my board dove so far that
it pulled my head under just enough to keep me from being
able to breath good between the waves.

So, now I have ditched the leash for good. I can't see any
value in them anymore. I would rather drag back in and get
the board than unwillingly dig for clams out in the surf

Gman · Since 11 Feb 2006 4911 Posts Portland Unstrapped

Great post

I spend some time chasing my board around - usually no big deal - body surfing with a kite is superfun and I generally am right behind my board chasing it to the beach - I've surfed by it only once in many, many wipeouts - thought I saw it on the beach but it was another yellow board that Blowhard lost (what are the chances of that )

Would be curious to hear from guys who surf reef breaks - that wear them to keep the boards off the rocks

genek · Since 21 Jul 2006 2165 Posts East Po KGB

Oh ya, I agree. No leash on surfboards in most cases like the nice sandy beaches of the Oregon coast. You can drag to your board within 15 seconds in most cases.

However, after riding strapless for a week at San Carlos in Baja where the waves do wash up on the rocks I wished I'd had a leash there. Most of the time I was fine and could grab the board before it got onto the rocks, but one relatively small wave caught the board just right and washed it into a rocky nook under the cliff. I couldn't even body drag to get close to it and the cliff probably would've prevented me from grabbing the board anyway had I made it close. Luckily Forrest was filming and being the good Samaritan that he is climbed down the rocks to grab my board and rescue it.

I know San Carlos isn't even as bad as many other places. I haven't tried using a leash, but I'd imagine it's a worthy trade off if your other option is dragging around a reef or rocks.

wjb · Since 14 Aug 2007 223 Posts Nor Cal Stoked

This is simple really. If you feel you need a leash. Use a velcro link that will come apart if much pressure is applied. Or have a way you can easily disconnect yourself from it.

tstansbury · Since 06 Jun 2006 649 Posts Rowena and P.C Addicted

good tip I am headed to san carlos next month for a week of strapless fun.

genek · Since 21 Jul 2006 2165 Posts East Po KGB

Yeah, the biggest problem for me was at the point to the Chili Bowl. Getting your board out of that area (or inside Chili Bowl) can be problematic. In front of the main area it's not as bad. Have fun down there!