Thoughts on board leashes?

jen · Since 26 Jan 2009 12 Posts Hood River New Member

I am newer to kiting and was curious what others thought about board leashes?

I'm up and riding and I can body drag to my board when needed. I've seen a few people out riding with the leashes, but I've also heard mixed opinions about the leashes...

Any advice or feedback?

Windian · Since 28 Apr 2008 902 Posts Newport, OR NEWPORT OG

Best advice for leashes:

IF YOU WEAR A LEASH, THEN WEAR A HELMET ALSO!!!

Shocked

eric · Since 13 Jan 2006 1872 Posts XTreme Poster

leashes are dangerous--don't use them. it's not just spring back that's a problem, it's the leash wrapping around your kite bar, the lines, your head, etc...

Kodiak · Since 01 Aug 2005 1114 Posts Slidey

Do a quick search on this forum for similar threads. You will see that 99% of the people suggest not wearing one. The remaining 1% are rationalizing their bad decision.

Most of these threads are filled with stories from people (like myself) that thought for whatever reason they had a "safe" version of a leash. One with a real on it for example that won't come back and smash you in the face. The scar on the back of my leg tells me otherwise.

Just know that if you decide to wear a leash you are prioritizing your board over your safety.

undertow · Since 15 Feb 2008 371 Posts BeaversBurg Obsessed

forget the leash, get a gojoe, then people on the water will stay out of your way, and know where you are if you need help.

andyg · Since 31 May 2009 1 Posts New Member

I've been using the Oceanus leash for three years and never had a single problem, no board heading at my head at 100mph, no tangled bar / leash rats nest. That's not to say that it couldn't happen, it's just never happened to me.

The leash made learning for me a lot more fun because I could have the board back on my feet in under 30 seconds, which ultimately allowed me to sail more, learn quicker, and wipe out less.

When you are first learning to relaunch your kite (especially if it lands leading edge down), you can be in the water for a while. Knowing that your board it trailing along behind you makes it easier to focus on pulling the lines to get your ship back in the air.

And yes, I fully realize I look like a jackass using one of these, but I fully don't care.

Joshiebaby · Since 14 Oct 2007 569 Posts Vancouver, WA Addicted

I agree with the other poster... IF YOU USE ONE USE A HELMET.

They are sorta nice getting started cause when you have had a lesson but it's been a while it is easy to let the board get away from you when a gust comes if you aren't comfortable flying the kite...

However when I was staring and was using one I did have the board fly at me and having a helmet saved me. Also took it in the shins a few times.

If you feel like you really need one you probably need to spend more time flying the kite. Get a helmet if you use one and then get rid of it as soon as possible.

Reaper356 · Since 10 Dec 2006 781 Posts Salem / LC Oregon Opinionated

Pros:
- Speeds board recovery if you're new.

Cons:
- Lost dignity
- You'll eventually have something happen that makes you scared of it

Examples of Cons (possibly all personal):
- Getting your board stuck under some submerged object and being pulled under by current / kite. Then you contemplate losing your board AND life! Very Happy

- Becoming entangled with the leash in the surf with your kite down is fun!
- A steering line gets wrapped around the reel of the leash during a crash!
And then OMG the kite relaunches!
And then OMG the kite relaunches!
And then OMG the kite relaunches! etc ...

Conclusions:
A leash is ~$60, so put that toward a board you don't care about losing - plenty of good $100 - 150ish boards out there.

Other thoughts:
- Having too long of a kite leash can be bad when it wraps around your neck!
- Leash is justified in extreme cold where bodydragging means possible hypothermia, but hey you might die anyway!

FlyDunes · Since 09 Oct 2007 1034 Posts Aloha XTreme Poster

ridercentral · Since 20 May 2009 38 Posts PDX-Coast-Gorge

Sounds like you can body drag back to your board.

So you don't need a leash ... Problem solved.

If you did the 'leash' thread search on this site
then I'm sure you saw plenty of input on this.

Wearing a board leash is super unsafe.

You could still wear a reel leash on your harness
just to connect your board to if you are having trouble relaunching your kite.

But never ride with a board leash... NOT worth it.... Don't need it.

pdxmonkeyboy · Sun Jun 14, 09 7:07 pm

Dude, ditch the leash. Period.

Ask yourself this , how many people have gone to the ER because they lost their board?

Gman · Since 11 Feb 2006 4911 Posts Portland Unstrapped

forget the leash - try this instead GOJOE

no really - next session - leave the board in the car

go body drag across the river - body drag back - go half a mile upwind - come back - its fun!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

you will never think about the leash again

stringer · Since 31 Jul 2007 694 Posts Chucktown Flying Tomato

If you really are an active PDX girl, I don't think it would be too hard to find someone to go ride with and help you out when you need it.

C Johnson · Since 17 Apr 2009 854 Posts Seattle Opinionated

forget the leash and gojoe.

stick a wheelbarrow tire under your grab handle. its more durable then a gojoe and a fraction of the price.

DROCK999 · Since 31 May 2007 852 Posts Left Coast Opinionated

NO, NEVER EVER EVER.

bulae99 · Since 12 Jul 2006 1692 Posts XTreme Poster

Leashes are not worth the potential risk. Learn how to recover your board by doing superman! Have a friend shag your board, or get a go jo!

Leashes cause injuries and are dangerous.

Very Happy

Windian · Since 28 Apr 2008 902 Posts Newport, OR NEWPORT OG

I learned with a leash back in the day before leashless kiteboarding was invented. I remember seeing a photo of Pete Cabrina in the mags not wearing one and thinking he was an extreme lunatic. I went through all the dangerous scenarios with the leashes and saw right away that a helmet was an absolute necessity when wearing a leash especially in the surf.

Then, in 2001 in junked the leash permanently and realized how easy it was to retrieve the board by body dragging. I have never lost a board or even come close to it and I ride almost exclusively in the surf. Do recommend writing your name and phone # on your board just in case you can't retrieve it someday.