Beginner question: wearing a leash - smart or stupid?

hiker1 · Since 01 Jul 2007 125 Posts Portland Stoked

So I'm gonna practice LOTS of upwind body dragging before I introduce my board to the water - that's step one.

With all the talk of finding a board after a crash, I wonder if wearing a leash makes sense for a beginner? Though I've also heard a leash can inspire the board to snap back and nail ya in the head (or elsewhere). Shocked

I'd greatly appreciate your bottom line advice: Is a leash a good thing for a newbie, or a stupid and dangerous addition?

Thanks Very Happy

Spike · Since 13 May 2007 1414 Posts Alameda Spelling Expert

I never used a leash. I think finding your board is only difficult if you get lofted and leave your board behind among the waves. Doubtful you'll experience this as a beginner. In the beginning I kept getting yanked off my board when the kite powered up, and I'd end up maybe 10 ft down wind of it. Never so far that I couldn't find it. If I were you I'd leave off the leash, no sense in risking injury. If you go out on days where there are lots of people, somebody will usually either let you know where your board is at, or if you get lucky, sometimes even bring it to ya. Let others you are kiting around know that you are a beginner, they will tend to keep an eye out for ya if you are body dragging in search of your board, or are having other trouble. Letting people know this has worked great for me.

hiker1 · Since 01 Jul 2007 125 Posts Portland Stoked

Thanks Spike ---

Good advice Idea

Nak · Wed Jul 04, 07 5:20 am

I'll have to admit that I used a board leash as a beginner. This was while I was still trying to get up and ride. As soon as I was riding I got rid of the leash. Having said that, I don't think it was a good idea, knowing what I know now.

Some beginners are going to use board leashes. Some beginners will be hurt by their boards. It's tempting, because it can accelerate your learning curve. (Less time spent getting your board, more time learning to get up.) I always thought "As long as I keep it slow, and don't actually start riding, I'll be OK." (It took me a while to develop my board skills to the point I could actually ride further than 10 feet without falling.) The problem with that thinking is I could have been pulled downwind fast enough to cause problems.

Leashed boards have killed people. What more can be said? A helmet offers some protection, but not enough to justify wearing a board leash. Would you let someone take a swing at your head with a dull axe just because you're wearing a helmet? That is effectively what you are doing by wearing a board leash.

Kiteboarding is dangerous. We all know that, and accept it. There is a risk taken with every jump, with every launch, with every landing. We use knowledge and learned skills to mitigate the dangers. If you pile unnecessary risks--like wearing a board leash--on top of the risk you're already taking, you're stacking the deck against yourself.

Nak

bulae99 · Since 12 Jul 2006 1692 Posts XTreme Poster

The above thread has tons of information on this subject.

But here is my opinion on the dealio!

I have retractable leash attached to my leash strap on the back of my harness. It hangs below my butt. Sometimes I use it, sometimes not.

I attach an 8 inch bungee to the grab strap in the middle of my board. This prevents, hinders, rapid board acceleration if I'm being dragged.

*The bungee breaks when stressed. I'm going to weight test it so that I can tell posters when it breaks!

I have never been hit in the head by this set up. So far so good, knock on wood.

Good Luck!

Wear a helmet!
Practice your releases
Wear a PFD
Sail with a friend
Know how to water rescue
Talk to people on the beach

Kiteboarders are nice most of the time. Very Happy

hiker1 · Since 01 Jul 2007 125 Posts Portland Stoked

Yikes -

Think the vote is NO leash.

Thanks for the link!

pkh · Since 27 Feb 2005 6549 Posts Couve / Hood Honored Founder

shastadogs2 · Since 28 Mar 2005 336 Posts Obsessed

ditto.

another thought:
consider buying only crappy used boards as a beginner-ya just dont need the newest stuff and wont miss it until you get up and about.

losing a $100 consignment board is better'n losing a new hein.

once your confidence and competence is good, spring for new stuff.

good luck.

jimmi

harleyboy · Since 13 Jun 2007 41 Posts

speaking from a new rider point of view. I wore a leash during my first lesson in Hawaii. I actually found the leash to be a total pain the a*s when trying to bring the board around in front of me. The leash kept getting hooked on the board the wrong way etc. Add to the danger factor and I say skip the leash for sure. Plus...I think you need to learn to be competent in all aspects of the sport. Learning how to body drag efficiently can be tricky. I am stronger on one side than the other but improving. I can get back to my board relatively quickly now. Don't be afraid to use your feet to kick while keeping the rest of your body stiff to give you directional control. The kicking really helps if you are within a few feet of the board.

Last piece of advice I will give...get a board that is bright coloured. I have a red/white board and it is pretty easy to spot when dragging. I crashed in the shipping channel in the gorge a few times this past weekend and the waves made it hard to spot the board but the red popped out.

I wanted a blue board and the guy I bought it from was really against blue. I think he was right based on my limited experience.

Mark

wylieflyote · Wed Jul 04, 07 7:20 pm

The only drawback I've heard in the past 2 weeks about the GoJoe is it looks incredibly stupid. Tried it at Jones, the board stays with you because any winds blows it along, and obviously it's easy to see.

Rollo Tomasi · Since 17 Mar 2005 983 Posts Attractive

Beginner question: wearing a leash - smart or stupid?

stupid. learn to body drag.
stupid. learn to body drag.
stupid. learn to body drag.
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stupid. learn to body drag.
stupid. learn to body drag.
stupid. learn to body drag.
stupid. learn to body drag.
stupid. learn to body drag.
stupid. learn to body drag.
stupid. learn to body drag.
stupid. learn to body drag.
stupid. learn to body drag.
stupid. learn to body drag.
Hey Mark.
stupid. learn to body drag.
stupid. learn to body drag.
stupid. learn to body drag.
stupid. learn to body drag.

trevorsmith · Since 25 Apr 2005 501 Posts PDX Addicted

G-man and I were talking about this yesterday, G-man correct me if I post this wrong.
He told me about a guy with a retractable leash
he crashed, looked around for the board, as it was laying flat on the water, skimmed directly into his forehead, splitting his helmet and getting stitches in his head. Ouch! What if it hit his eye or tooth or other body part without protection?

Sounds like a stupid idea to me to have one, regardless of the one or two benefits people claim they have. Risk vs. benefit. Risk outweighs the benefit. Spending 10 or 15min dragging looking for your board is not worth days or weeks off the water due to board injury.

How many sports use a board leash anyways? Surfing is the only one I can think of. OK, but when they crash the wave takes the surf board away from them, not towards them. Plus they do not want to swim all the way back to shore every time they ride a wave and fall off. The board has a ton more float than our wake style boards, which kb boards tend to auger down in waves.

Nak · Thu Jul 05, 07 8:51 am

Moto · Since 03 Sep 2006 2698 Posts Still a gojo pimp! Moto Mouth

I orignally thought it was a good idea if you could mitigate the risks. However, after much thought - I got to go with the majority on this one. Its a stupid idea. It poses too much risk and not enough benefit. There is really no way to eliminate all of the risks.