Surfing Waves

I currently have about a 6 foot long leash on my longboard...and I absolutely must surf with a leash as I am a dumb kook who loses his board from time to time. My leash is tangling me up with my left foot (I ride regular with left foot forward)...and gets tangled up with seaweed...but more so lately.

Can I shorten my leash? To say 3-4 feet? Or is that a no-no for longboarders? Or is it just a personal preference thing?

Almost everyone surfs with a leash so don't worry about that.

As for length, the general rule is the leash should be the same length as the board, so your leash is too short, not too long. Give a 9ft leash a go.

while the leash keeps your board close to you, you don't want it too close because the closer to you the more likely your board will injure you. I have no clue about gathering kelp. I have seen that in movies but never in real life. Some people surf without a leash but in general they are much better surfers and much fitter than most of the surfers on this forum. No leash means you have to be able to navigate the ocean without a board, which really you should be able to do anyway. I often adjust my leash with my legs while I am paddling or waiting for a wave. If it is in the wrong position as I am getting ready for a wave I flick it back to the right position before I catch a wave. Sometimes when you wipe out you end up with the leash coming off your ankle to the inside and you should readjust it so that the leash is pointed away from your board so it tends not to tangle with your feet, then if the leash is across your legs flip it back over with your other foot before you paddle for the wave.

Hi koolCook,

I know this tangling with the leash. I had it in the past, but there is a trick:
put your leash before you surf (you can also do it already at home) on a frame or so ( bedframe works) so that it gets pulled and straightend very strong. Leave it there for a clouple of minutes and then it will be pretty straight.

The next time you go surfing, it will be less curly and hopefully it does not tangle so much anymore.
+ When you store the leash again do not wrap it too strong around your board. maybe lengthwise.

It helped me .

hope I could help you,

tobikey

Thanks guys...especially Tobikey...I was winding up my leash in a tight circle after every session. Gonna try straightening it out from now and on. I confirmed my leash was 9' vs. a 8'6" board. I might downsize to a 8' leash though.....