Leashes

[JrSUP]

What style of leash do you use?

What're the disadvantages of straight vs coiled?

I just ordered a FCS Adjustable Race Leash (12.6 - 14ft) and was wondering whether it's a good purchase or not (probably should have asked before ordering it really!)

Below is just a short video of it I found on a quick search.

[shankfoo]

I have a coiled / calf leash, since I do mostly flats/touring and don't surf. Generally if you don't plan on actually needing the leash to perform its function a lot, (i.e. falling off) then coiled is great because it's out of the way. Falling off and getting back on with a coil leash is kind of annoying because it catches on stuff like your paddle, your fin, your other leg...

There's lots of threads here that have discussed this, including a recent one that expounds on the physics of coiled leashes when they break.... so don't wear out your leash and then keep wearing it!   

[JimK]

The simple version

Flatwater Coiled leash (1/8 to 3/16")
Surf straight leah at least as long as your board
DW (if you go w/o a leash you are nuts) I use my straight leash same as surf (but it is shorter than my board)

The only leash I haven't broken is Dakine

Again my 2 cents
JimK
www.extremewindsurfing.com

[crtraveler]

+1 on the Dakine leashes..... even though I have broken one...they are super heavy duty

[southwesterly]

 +2 on Da Kine. 8 footer to reduce my kill zone in a crowded lineup.

[water-ratt]

"if you go w/o a leash you are nuts"
AMEN!!!!

[punasurf]

Had bad luck with dakine.  I have broke 2 or 3 and know many who have also broke dakine.  It is a design fault where the railsaver is attached to the cord via a small string that breaks.

Just got my big wave FCS yesterday and it is the first leash I've had that features a plastic T connecting the railsaver to cord.  Looks like it will work great.

I also use 8', even on my 10' board for quicker recovery and reduced kill.

[starman]

We own one and the FCS racing leash is a loser. If it's not kept very tight the nylon strap tends to get washed off the deck and turn into a sea anchor. It also does not unwrap well from the skeg when falling. In other words if you dismount and if the strap has crossed under the board you have to reach back to pull it away from the skeg and back on to the deck.

[punasurf]

Not sure what a racing leash is, but where I surf, a broken leash means a trashed board.  I feel better with an 8mm anchor than a 5/6mm competition leash.

[punasurf]

Sorry, just went back and watched the vid.  That looks horrible.

[Newps]

I just picked up one of these, 6', 7 mm.

http://www.prolite.com/product-options.asp?prodid=507&catid=19&sizeid=22&colorid=507#.Uk2V0lOwWgs

I've always been a fan of Pro-Lite leashes on my shortboards.  The 6 foot one on my 7'8" has made my recovery time super quick.  This can be the difference between getting back out before the next wave or spending 10 minutes getting pounded on in the inside.  I never would thought this short of one would work so well but it has.  One kick of the my leg and my board is right there.  If you SUS you might want to experiment with a shorter leash.

PS looks like they have a 8mm one but the shortest length is 7'.

http://www.prolite.com/product-options.asp?CatID=20#.Uk2ZLVOwWgs

[jsprague-sup]

I just bought the Dakine Kainui 9' leash for my 8-11 AW.  Hate my coiled leash in the surf as it  always get stuck on my fins.   Leash shows up today and I'll tell ya how it works.

Couple questions, do you guys prefer ankle or calf  leashes? and my AW has two spots to tie the leash at the back (left and right side of board), should I strap to my heal or toe side?

[PabstSUP]

Always use straight leashes for surfing.  I bought a coiled leash for flatwater and brought it on a business trip to Saratoga earlier this Summer as I found an outfitter that rented SUPs for whitewater running (Sacandaga Outdoor Center - highly recommend though was surprised they let me me run the rapids alone on my first time in whitewater...).  On my trip back I headed straight to the beach due to perfect conditions and only had that coiled leash with me and the sun would be setting in a couple hours.  It promptly broke on my first wipeout.  When I made my way back to the beach to collect my board, I was lucky enough to run into a prone surfer who had just wrapped up his session.  He said the conditions were too perfect to miss out on and promptly handed over his 6' shortboard leash as he works at a surf shop up island (Bunger Surf Shop in Babylon) and got them for free.  We chatted for a little while (he had recently had a baby and we shared the same first name) before he left and I headed back out into the surf.  Was stoked on the great karma displayed and got to enjoy one of my favorite sessions of the Summer.  I won't be using another coiled leash again but plan on stopping by his surf shop in the near future to pick up some gear.

[coldsup]

I've got one of the "World's Strongest" leashes...how they claim that I'm not sure....but it works fine. Only comes in 10ft which is a pain on my 8ft 6 but I don't surf busy places......

http://www.supsurfboards.co.uk/sup_leashes/ocean_and_earth_one_sup_leash_10ft_

[JrSUP]

Gives me a bit more hope about my purchase then! Coiled for flatwater/racing, straight for surfing..

Winters just starting in the UK now and it will get pretty cold so not planning on spending too much time in the water, more time on the water with a board in between!

Will look to learn to SUS in the Spring when things get a bit warmer!