New Tail Handle

[ninja tuna]

Just a question with the safety leash handle.

Could you not connect it with your leash?

In other words, connect it separately to the leash plug so that it is not integral with the leash.  I would think then maybe use an O-ring so that it rides  along the leash and not wildly tangling/bouncing around and also so that it can be found by feel by grabbing your leash. This would allow it to be a tad bit shorter also.

[Sup-position]

Sure why not. All components come apart.

You can go:

A Spare Leash String to Handle

Rail Guard to Handle

Rail Guard to Handle to Leash

But then aren't we back at the $1 Handle..just add string..

[Sup-position]

Back to the Tail Kick Handle..

These are Stock Tail Kicks.Cheap..

Just cut Out the Middle Section to your preferred Handle Thickness..
Cut in Ledge if Preferred.
Peel and Stick..hopefully the PSA holds, or Glue...

Another Idea is to Core Through the Side
Then split it in Two.
Set width for your hand. Put a Rod or Tube appropriate length in the Cored Hole,
Peel and Stick.

[surfcowboy]

This is the new, hot ticket. From now on, this is my jam. Thanks to Pono and Ralph. There's almost no way to screw up with that cutaway pad.

[GOTWAVZ]

Back to the Tail Kick Handle..

These are Stock Tail Kicks.Cheap..

Just cut Out the Middle Section to your preferred Handle Thickness..
Cut in Ledge if Preferred.
Peel and Stick..hopefully the PSA holds, or Glue...

Another Idea is to Core Through the Side
Then split it in Two.
Set width for your hand. Put a Rod or Tube appropriate length in the Cored Hole,
Peel and Stick.

OK Ralph was kind enough to use my aging Rasta board with a ripped tail kick as a tester...so here goes a quick write up. I tried it yesterday in some head high surf and it took a while to think about using it but when I did it worked well. Thanks Ralph.

Photo 1;  Clean the back area and cut away existing tail kick pad to match the size of the new one (Ralph has these in stock..hit him up)

Photo 2;  Tools needed.... Ralph, sharp knife, measuring tape, goo be gone, straight edge, tape, sharpie

Photo 3;   First measure your grip with measuring tape (I have fat fingers  so pretty wide), tape off area to be removed and mark with sharpie.

Photo 4;  Carefully cut out wedge from the stop pad area, being careful not to cut thru the bottom of pad on your horizontal cut

Photo 5;  Remove wedge that you cut... you can use rough sand paper to make it really pretty and shape it (we didn't as Ralph was very carful with his cuts)

Photo 6 and 7;  Check grip and adjust width as needed

Photo 8; Mahalo Ralph

Photo 8; Done!

In all seriousness, this is why you need to support your local shops and not buy online... you don't get this service on line...Big Thanks Ralph!!

[SuppaTime]

One thing I have learned is that trying to hold my board with one hand is an injury waiting to happen. I jerked my shoulder so badly last winter that I tore something, spent 2 months in PT and another 4 months until it cleared up.

This winter I have been holding on to the tail with both hands. No handle, just wrapping my fingers of both hands over the heel-kick with the paddle under my palms, perpendicular to the board (it works). I would prefer a handle as I cannot hold the board in huge whitewater, but it has to be a two-handed handle that does not require curling my fingers around it in such a way that my hand is locked into it. I make every attempt to hold on to my board in big conditions (OH and bigger) but I will not do that to the point of tearing a labrum. What I want in that situation is to take enough edge off the brunt force of the wave so I don't break the leash and don't tear up my shoulders.

I have an idea for a DIY handle that meets those requirements. I will build it and post some pix hopefully soon.

[The Kernel]

GOTWAVZ:

Thanks for posting those great pictures....I bought two tail handles yesterday for the new boards acquired at Riviera's recent warehouse sale, but they are only a quick solution as guys like you break the ground for the better way of doing it. 

Nice work....

[Sup-position]

I have these Tail Kicks in House for $20.00 Ea..

Hit me Up if you need one...

[PonoBill]

One thing I have learned is that trying to hold my board with one hand is an injury waiting to happen. I jerked my shoulder so badly last winter that I tore something, spent 2 months in PT and another 4 months until it cleared up.

This winter I have been holding on to the tail with both hands. No handle, just wrapping my fingers of both hands over the heel-kick with the paddle under my palms, perpendicular to the board (it works). I would prefer a handle as I cannot hold the board in huge whitewater, but it has to be a two-handed handle that does not require curling my fingers around it in such a way that my hand is locked into it. I make every attempt to hold on to my board in big conditions (OH and bigger) but I will not do that to the point of tearing a labrum. What I want in that situation is to take enough edge off the brunt force of the wave so I don't break the leash and don't tear up my shoulders.

I have an idea for a DIY handle that meets those requirements. I will build it and post some pix hopefully soon.

You can use two hands with a stomp handle. it's what I generally do. Grab the handle with your free hand (no paddle) then put your other hand on top of it, holding the paddle. Press down as the wave hits you. Gives you the effect of holding on with both hands without losing your paddle. Try it, you'll like it.

[centralcoastsup]

Hey Ralph. I talked to you earlier in the week and emailed you about ordering the kick tails. Haven't heard from you.

[Sup-position]

Hey Ralph. I talked to you earlier in the week and emailed you about ordering the kick tails. Haven't heard from you.

No problem. Got a little backed up.. Look in your email...

[southwesterly]

I hope somebody (Da Kine) is listening to this forum.

I would love to have a pre made finger grip in a tail kick pad.
Seems a lot better than dragging a lawn mower handle through the kelp.

[Sup-position]

I tried the Paddle Shaft Across the Tail Kick Method.

Person and Board facing away from the wave, board top up. put the shaft across the
Tail Kick, Hands to the outside of the rail and push down while leaning toward the board.

The wave will hit you and go around you shielding the board from the direct impact.
Seems to work pretty good, although it can take you for a ride if you aren't pushing down enough or unlucky.
I don't really know the limit to size and condition to this technique yet..but..

Yesterday in barreling beach break head high +, shallow and crackin'.
7'11" Blue Planet, Flame Thrower. 100L
Worked pretty good.

Day before Double Over Head, deeper with alot of water moving...
9'8" Starboard Super Fish. 141 L
Harder with a bigger board (thicker tail), so push down harder...

Points on the tail require caution, Fish has 2..

I do think this method will work best with taller tail kicks that you can nest the shaft into.

[PonoBill]

Slick, I like it, but I wouldn't depend on it. The paddle blade gets a huge amount of force if the wave hits it right, and has to be free to windvane if you're going to hang onto it. I ballpark the force on a paddle face in a wave at about 600 foot-pounds of force.

[Sup-position]

I'll have to observe my paddle position.
Seems to work..
Maybe it is because i have a shorter paddle or I am holding the shaft close to the blade..

With your Hand Over Technique do you have this issue?