What's your leash length? Thinking of going shorter ....

[eastbound]

years ago i was sold a long leash and it was insisted that i not cut my paddle shorter than 10" above my head!

on my own i learned 6 or 7' leash is best, and I now cut paddles 2-3" longer than my height.

go figure

[andygere]

I've found that a 7' leash with a calf cuff is ideal on my 8' SIMSUP.  I'm using a DAKINE Kainui Leash - 7 ft. x 5/16 in. (the thick one) with a DAKINE calf cuff swapped in from a longer leash.  The board stays close, but not too close, and the thicker leash also comes with a heavier rail saver than the typical shortboard leashes.

[supsurf-tw]

8' feels good for my 9-4. Will probably go to a 7' for my new 8-4 I'm picking up Friday. There's no need for too much leash. Just more length to get tangled up in. My first leash was a 4' piece of rope. Glad we progressed from that.

[Zooport]

If you use a shorter leash, protect your head when you come up after a fall.

[eeck62]

I use a 7ft leash on my 8'5 and 8'3, although it is probably 8-9ft after stretching.  Like most of the other responses the short leash allows me to get my board back quickly.  I usually just catch the leash under my foot and pull the board towards me.

[magentawave]

10' Dakine leash. I always went with the shortest and thinnest leash I could find for my surfboards (in normal conditions) but for sup surfing I want that beast as far away from me as possible.

[jumpfrom13k]

next time i'm getting a 7' comp leash. I just realize the other day that I'm never gonna take this thing anything over 3 foot wave. i really don't feel like I need thick ass 10' foot sup leash anymore.

[southwesterly]

The shorter the leash, the tighter the kill zone.

[freetobeme]

8' usually but just scored a few 7'ers for my new 7'8 SIMSUP.

[linter]

   i don't go out in stuff over 3 - 4' either, but i just ordered an 8' creatures of leisure big wave leash, good up to 15', it says.  hey, ya never know when you'll get stuck in building surf, right?

[JimK]

I second the "get as far away from your boar concept (longer leash) I gues I'm weird but I never fouled myself in a Dakine KaiNui Leash 12'6 I even have used the quick release several times (as I surf around obsticals piers/Jetties (NJ) but haven't used the release recently
I also haven't broken it in 8 yrs either ut thn I try other leashes break'm or don't like'm and go back to the Kai Nui

JimK
www.extremewindsurfing.com

[coldsup]

I guess a lot of head injuries are from other surfers or folk running shorter leashes....tis a choice of the ease of getting the board back quick and safety of others compared to bonking your head. I tend to stick with a leash same size as the board....happy medium. 

[supsurf-tw]

The favorite length is as short as possible according to the guy paddling out when you fall

[Board Stiff]

Does a longer leash increase your risk of getting tangled? I've had my leash get wrapped around both feet or caught between my toss and worried what would have happened if I hadn't got free before the next wave yanked my board.

[magentawave]

I suppose so, but you have to be as vigilant that doesn't happen as you must be in always knowing that no one is behind you in case you have to bail.

By the way, something to add to my previous comment... My 10' Dakine leash is a calf leash. In small stuff I put the leash at my calf so I can practice cat walking to the nose. Wearing up on my calf shortens the leash a lot and makes it easier to retrieve my board. In bigger stuff I wear it on my ankle.

Does a longer leash increase your risk of getting tangled? I've had my leash get wrapped around both feet or caught between my toss and worried what would have happened if I hadn't got free before the next wave yanked my board.