Leash ... don't leave home without it!

[RATbeachrider]

Small day today (1-2 feet) so figured I'm just going out to practice standing, paddling, turning, etc.  Even in small waves and falling back, the board kicked away (at least 10 feet away).  Lucky for me that I installed a handle and was able to use the handle on the paddle to pull the board toward me ... of course after swimming.

[Bulky]

Yep.  Agreed.  Both for your safety and that of those around you.  I've seen guys out even at a mellow break without them and, admittedly they handle their board better than I do, but I'd never risk it.  We've had a number of discussions on here where people go missing and their boards are found a couple days later.  A leash may very well have saved their lives as it's amazing how quickly you can get separated from your board in even a little wind.  In the case of some other tragedy (heart attack, etc) at least my loved ones will likely recover my body if its attached to my board...

[Kevin]

some people need to wear leashes at all times.  some dont.

[SlatchJim]

Danny Ching wasn't wearing a leash in the surf.  I was.  There is a world of difference between us.  I know my limitations, and he doesn't have any. 

[RATbeachrider]

Danny is from a place called "water world."

[RomaniaSUP]

Just because some of the pro's don't wear a leash doesn't make it right. In fact I would say its wrong as so many people look up to them and imitate their SUP style.

As an instructor I always wear a leash and always wear a PFD (unless I'm in the surf zone). I feel it's my job to set a good example as I never know when one of my former/future students is going to see me out on the water.

[RATbeachrider]

I'm all for leash.  However, I have seen too many folks depending too much on the leash thus allowing their boards (SUP or surfboard) to go flying instead of controlling them in whitewater or while kicking out.

[bigbear]

Try it offshore wind w/o a leash and someone will find your board in another country-I'd write my name and phone number on it just so you knew where it went!

[Kevin]

I'm all for leash.  However, I have seen too many folks depending too much on the leash thus allowing their boards (SUP or surfboard) to go flying instead of controlling them in whitewater or while kicking out.

supper let go of his board a few weeks ago, unexpectedly, and it hit me in the leg. I rarely wear a leash. Keeps me out of places and situations I'm not supposed to be in. You should try it!

[TallDude]

A few weeks ago, I saw a prone longboarder lose his board in small knee-high surf at Old Mans. It was a lower tide so the reef was almost exposed. He just casually cut out and off went his board, no leash. He tried to swim to it, but the wash was pushing it. It just kept flipping side over side heading a long ways to the shore. The guy was sort of hopping across the reef towards the board, but he was losing ground. Then smack into a couple of little kids on their foamys near the shore. Mom tried running out as she saw the board heading towards them. She fell on the reef trying to get to them. This guy finally gets to his board, grabs it, and walks up the beach with out a word to anyone. I'm sure he thinks he's good enough to not need a leash. I mean, ' Dude, I've been surfing without a leash my whole life!" Totally.....   

[Kevin]

The reason suppers/sussers are not appreciated by surfers is because sussers are frequently newbie kooks. Take off your leash and swim.

[Kevin]

Forego your full suit in so cal while you're at it. If you're sussin 1' Cardiff reef you don't need a leash and a full suit. You've gotta give up something.  If you're in sub 50 degree water, wear all you can, and by all means, don't drown. 

[TallDude]

Well Kevin, when I learned to surf over 40 years ago, there were no leashes. There weren't a lot of people surfing in those days either. I too don't always wear my leash, and I trunk it all winter usually if I have a paddle. There are a whole bunch of idiots that I grew up with in San Clemente who think they are surf gods. Most are just loser pier rats who are average at best. Now they are just drunks, and most of them are in the SanO historic drunks club. I think there is another name for it. I'm just say'n....

[Cardiff Sweeper]

You guys are funny.
I wear my leash rarely. It's more of a nuisance.

By the way, there's a half-dozen-other threads on the great leash debate.

 

[lanikaipaddler]

some people need to wear leashes at all times.  some dont.

some people need to wear leashes at all times.  some people dont need to wear leashes at all times.  and all people need to wear leashes under some circumstances.

debate resolved!