Retractable Foil Waist Leash

[sflinux]

Not sure if this has been mentioned on the forum, but I was browsing Blue Planet Surf website and saw that they are selling a Retractable Foil Waist Leash. 
https://www.blueplanetsurf.com/retractable-foil-waist-leash-with-shock-cord.html
When I started kiting I used a similar product that was attached to my harness.  I stopped using it when leashes were frowned upon.
Has anyone tried one of these in the surf?

[m_the_foiler]

Sflinux,
I haven't tried it in the surf, just on lake. I am sold:

• No more leash under your feet
• No more dangling of the leash in the foil
• No more jerking on the ankle or leg when falling. The pull is barely noticeable. It's like you don't have a leash at all
• A bonus belt to attach your wing leash to

So yes it's pricier and heavier than a traditional leash and requires more cleaning but I would buy it again without hesitation.

[liv2surf]

I use this reel leash for wing foiling in flat water, bay swell and ocean surf. Made belt with hook myself. I connect leash's clip to a fixed line that is length of distance from my waist to boards leash plug (this keeps the reel leash's spring in 'relaxed', unengaged state).

Advantages

• I hated stepping on a surf cord and this is much better now.
• I like that the excess is not dragging through the water.
• The available length gets the foil quite far away from me when I crash in the surf (or when just returning to the beach through beach break -- this process is rarely pretty).

Disadvantages

• need reel leash coming between legs when getting onto board prior to going from knees to "on foil" to prevent wrapping around leg
  
• sometimes wraps around leg... but lifting and flipping leg when riding can correct this
• cost
• trust me this reel leash is never going to be cool.

[liv2surf]

I use this reel leash for wing foiling in flat water, bay swell and ocean surf. Made belt with hook myself. I connect leash's clip to a fixed line that is length of distance from my waist to boards leash plug (this keeps the reel leash's spring in 'relaxed', unengaged state).

Advantages

• I hated stepping on a surf cord and this is much better now.
• I like that the excess is not dragging through the water.
• The available length gets the foil quite far away from me when I crash in the surf (or when just returning to the beach through beach break -- this process is rarely pretty).

Disadvantages

• need reel leash coming between legs when getting onto board prior to going from knees to "on foil" to prevent wrapping around leg
  
• sometimes wraps around leg... but lifting and flipping leg when riding can correct this
• cost
• trust me this reel leash is never going to be cool.

[blueplanetsurf]

Thanks for posting this sflinux.
For more reviews, please also check out the Amazon listing:
https://www.amazon.com/Blue-Planet-Release-Designed-Foiling/dp/B08CBRWWMX

Liv2surf, that is a nice looking custom hook.  I originally used the Oceanus reel leash with a loop attached to a belt like you are, which works fine.  Having the reel mounted directly to the belt as on our current waist belt design has less play/ dangling and makes it less obtrusive.  See if it's possible to retrofit it to mount directly to your belt without the nylon loop.

Here is a video with Derek Hama showing how he uses the belt and attaching other things to it.  We are having a custom hook made by NSI that also allows you to use the belt as a harness.  Derek is testing it in the photo.  He's using an old Ozone wing leash attached to the wing as kite a line.  I think he invented a whole new sport, haha.

[blueplanetsurf]

We now have the custom NSI harness hooks that are made to fit on our waist belt available on our website, works great if you already have the retracting waist leash:
https://www.blueplanetsurf.com/nsi-wing-ding-for-blue-planet-foil-waist-leash-2-w.html

[PonoBill]

Live2Surf's is not a custom hook, it's a Da Kine Maniac kite hook. I use the same one. I bend the hook out so it releases better but that's about all the customization it takes.

I'm going to switch to the NSI hook though, I've been catapulted a few too many times lately. I'm also ordering your reel. I'm tired of stepping on my leash. Even with a waist belt I manage to get it under my back foot a few times per session.

[blueplanetsurf]

Derek Hama talks all about the retracting leash in this video: