Leash in the way

[JeffG]

Every time I practice pivot turns I am stepping on my leash.  Major annoyance.  The only thing I can think of to remedy this problem is connecting my leash to my inflatable pfd belt.  Would this help?  Any other ideas?

[PonoBill]

Yup. Waist leash is the answer, what's the question? Other than looking stupid to people who haven't tried it, I haven't found a single negative aspect. When I first started using them I thought it was clumsy to get back on the board--easier to get the leash in the way. Solution? Ignore the problem. Don't fiddle and try to correct. Get back on the board and stand up, the leash takes care of itself.  For race boards/downwind you want a coiled leash, and perhaps a bit shorter than you're used to using. It has to stretch further, but the tension doesn't distract you like it does with a calf or ankle. It just keeps the leash totally off the board and out of the water.

[yugi]

I’m sure you’ll hear from the waist belt crew.

I do have another simple solution to offer you: just step on it and get used to it. I have a 14’ DW board with the leash plug really far forward (at least a foot from the rear of board - coz the rear get really fine). So it happens to me all the time. Freaked me out at first, really didn’t like the feeling. But now I just got used to it. I know I’m having a good DWer when my foot is literally on the leash plug a lot. So I can even now say it feels great!

My leash plug being a bit far forward I have shortened my coils by zip-locking a few of them together. A short coil leash does reduce the stepping on it somewhat.

[Eagle]

Definitely helps and works to connect your leash to your inflatable PDF belt.  No stepping on - or tripping hazard at all.

[PonoBill]

So the choice is :
A. Get the leash out of the way and get some other benefits.
B. Get used to stepping on it.

Hmmm. Which one to choose...

[yugi]

^ as bad as it sounds

B) could be worded; Do nothing. There really is a lot to be said for that, in a zen kind of way. Especially if you are lazy. And, hey, it works.

There is an extra advantage of waist belt is when doing a walk bit in a technical race I presume it's a lot less in the way.

So knowing I have a couple of extra kite leash quick releases and I wear a waist pack anyway I should try this waist stuff out. I even have a cool idea on a lightweight coil. To hell with what I look like. At least I'll be the first around here. There's always that.

[Eagle]

Just make a simple loop with strong lightweight cord - and attach the QR to that.  Works a treat and you know exactly where it is without looking.

Does look very dorky with the waist belt leash - but the system works.  Since on flat the chances of falling are virtually nil - we go the normal calf leash - because esthetics is everything in these parts.  Haha.

When doing stepping maneuvers - a waist connection really does work a charm.

[Badger]

There is one other choice that nobody mentioned. Stop doing pivot turns. 

[PonoBill]

^ as bad as it sounds

B) could be worded; Do nothing. There really is a lot to be said for that, in a zen kind of way. Especially if you are lazy. And, hey, it works.

There is an extra advantage of waist belt is when doing a walk bit in a technical race I presume it's a lot less in the way.

So knowing I have a couple of extra kite leash quick releases and I wear a waist pack anyway I should try this waist stuff out. I even have a cool idea on a lightweight coil. To hell with what I look like. At least I'll be the first around here. There's always that.

The best thing you'll hear is that you look like you have a tail. Gets a lot more scatological after that.

[SUPflorida]

I like the waist leash concept but I don't want to bet my life on the mickymouse buckle on my waist inflatable PFD. I want a more substantial attachment point, as in a dedicated waist belt made for that purpose.

That last thing I want is to see my board tumbling down wind (like DJ's video, the time he didn't wear a leash) because I attached my leash to something that was never designed for that kind of dynamic load.

[zachhandler]

I like the waist leash concept but I don't want to bet my life on the mickymouse buckle on my waist inflatable PFD. I want a more substantial attachment point, as in a dedicated waist belt made for that purpose.

That last thing I want is to see my board tumbling down wind (like DJ's video, the time he didn't wear a leash) because I attached my leash to something that was never designed for that kind of dynamic load.

agree 100%

[Bulky]

I like the waist leash concept but I don't want to bet my life on the mickymouse buckle on my waist inflatable PFD. I want a more substantial attachment point, as in a dedicated waist belt made for that purpose.

That last thing I want is to see my board tumbling down wind (like DJ's video, the time he didn't wear a leash) because I attached my leash to something that was never designed for that kind of dynamic load.

Yup.  And that's why you get a dedicated waist leash.  I don't think anyone's talking about just attaching it to your pfd.  You're right, that would be very unwise.

[surfafrica]

So the choice is :
A. Get the leash out of the way and get some other benefits.
B. Get used to stepping on it.

That's bullshit Bill.  I keep waiting for you and your crew to come up with a cordless leash. Maybe some magnetic wizardry that uses GPS and cloud-based AI?   ;-)

[Bulky]

So the choice is :
A. Get the leash out of the way and get some other benefits.
B. Get used to stepping on it.

That's bullshit Bill.  I keep waiting for you and your crew to come up with a cordless leash. Maybe some magnetic wizardry that uses GPS and cloud-based AI?   ;-)

after that, I think he should design a shaft-less paddle.  I'm tired of this heavy carbon fiber...

[Bulky]

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