Coil leash vs standard leash?

[SUPvol]

I've only used a standard 10' ankle leash. Is there any advantages or disadvantages to using a coiled leash vs the traditional leash? I surf a 10' and 9' SUP - thank you

[jondrums]

In my experience the coil leashes are made with smaller diameter cord-stock.   So I never messed with them as I really don't want to break a leash where I am surfing.  If you're in small waves, or in situations where snapping a leash isn't that big of a deal go for it.    I always hated the leash dragging in the water, so a coil leash going to a waist belt would have been ideal.

Its worth noting that coil leashes are just regular leashes that are formed into a coil with a heat gun and a round pole to wrap them around.   You can make your own easily - just don't overheat the leash.   You can tell if you overheated it if the surface finish becomes mottled or discolored.   I never bothered to do it, but I could have taken a nice thick leash and put a coil in it to get the best of both worlds. 

[sflinux]

FCS makes a coil leash that is decent diameter.
i believe the idea of a coil leash is to have less leash dragging in the water behind you which could lead to drag.  Sports where you are high speed like hydrofoil have some appeal.  Or if you surf in a spot with lots of kelp, maybe too.
I personally prefer a standard leash with predictable recoil and less annoying tangles when the coils get twisted.
If you ask me about waist leash, I prefer them over ankle when the waves get over head high with a SUP.
I never got into the knee leash, prefer ankle.
Diameter wise, 10 mm is reliable for sup, 11mm when it get double overhead. 

[PonoBill]

Coil leashes are actually quite dangerous. They store a lot more energy and release it in a different way than straight leashes. It's not because of the springiness of the coils--that's trivial, it's because of the way they torque under stress and the leash doesn't just retract into itself but springs back at a slight angle which can aim it straight at your face. I heard that long ago and thought it was nonsense, but I tested it and embedded the swivel of a leash in a piece of plywood. I use a retractable waist leash for foiling and straight leashes for surfing.

[SurfKiteSUP]

With the coil leashes I've used at least, they turn into a easily tangled mess after a few pulls in bigger waves.  The coils get stretched out and deformed and no longer "coil" up.

[eastbound]

coil leash? for any application?  NO

[Tom]

I think that all leash problems are resolved by using a waist leash (noncoiled). You don't trip over it while you move around the board, doesn't pick up seaweed, easy to grab to pull board back to you after you fall and if you fall in big surf you are not dragged as far.

[FRP]

Tom I agree.,I have been using waist leashes on my SuP surf boards for 10 years.  They have another benefit in that there is less traction on aging hips and knees. The one drawback I have experienced is that they may have abraded the back of my wet suit and lead to premature wear on a couple of my high end suits (O'Neil Psychotech).

Cheers

Bob