Leash or no leash?

[livelovesurf33]

what do you prefer?

[SDCali]

Check out this earlier discussions for opinions re: leashes.
https://surfing-waves.com/forum/view ... ight=leash

[GowerCharger]

leash leash leash.

[surfer16]

Unless your out surfing alone, far away from any other people that might be in the water, you have to be pretty damn stupid to surf without a leash.

[el_timmo]

Not to be rude, but I think that's a bit of a silly question. I would rather have my board attached to me every time so that if I came separated from it, I could easily pull it back. Also, it's quite handy when you bail, and your board is about to hit someone and you can yank the leash to stop it.

[teighto]

I definatley wouldnt go without a leash, just like i wouldnt drive unless i wear a seat belt

[Broosta]

Leash.

[rich r]

The only time I surf without a leash is when it's waist and under and gutless. I prefer not to have to chase down my board.

However - you should not depend on your leash as a lifesaving device if you get into trouble (though for holddowns, it's handy to figure out which way is up)

[isaluteyou]

I agree you should imagine the leash does not exist. Secondly if you surf near reef/rocks then having a leash is very much essentual unless you enjoy fixing your board.

people who surf without leashes are on an ego binge ( particually among the younger surfer dear lord the ego on them is unbeleivable they all think they are surfing gods withc is fairly amusing) they see it as some sort of title they have earned. I guess they haven because the amount of loose boards i see flying around even in teeny weeny surf is a joke

[Brent]

Sometimes I surf without a leash; it's usually on my wee fish or Libby's mini-mal in sub waist-high conditions, on nice little sandbars with perhaps only a couple of guys out.
I agree there are many young guys who surf without leashs cause they see Taj doing it...what they don't see is the ski wipping hm in for the punt & the fact that everyone else is watching rather than sharing the break with him.

The reason why I sometimes don't use a leash is because it actually feels quite different, and it makes me a better surfer as I make greater efforts to not bail - to flow & complete waves better. If & when I fall I try to maintain contact with my board. It's a totally different way of surfing. More thoughful.

Many younger surfers who've only known leash-surfing toss their boards as the first option - rather than trying to follow through & retrieve a siituation - and many have no idea how to pull off a wave gracefully.

[rich r]

totally agree- you shouldn't be surfing without a leash if you can't control your board on exit and actually hold onto it while you kick out.

[iomarti]

I have a bruise on my cheek (allbeit a very small one which does not adequately reflect the pain i felt) due to an unleashed, runaway board today.

Please wear one! My face would thank you for it....

[isaluteyou]

OUCH!!

I would love to see some ego guy come and surf the local reef breaks where i live. Eventually no matter how good you are the board will go loose and then wack into some nice rocks or even worse on very long paddle outs i would enjoy seeing someone having to paddle missions to gt their board back I think this calls for a little tale that was told to me a while ago.

A friend of mine was surfing sunset cliffs (san diego, any locals will know the break) its a reef break and theres a section that requires a mighty long paddle out. Anyway my friend was actually wearing a leash, the surf was monsterouse this was in december when san diego got that big swell. he said he struggled to paddle out and just befor he got to the line up the very last wave he had to duckdive his leash broke. It took him ages to paddle back and he never saw his board again it was the first time in his 20 year surfing career that he actually thought he would drown.

The moral of the story is always check your leash and equipment before surfing. And the back side of the story is imagine if that was you or some ego kid who thinks he is great and doesnt need a leash, my friend was lucky to get back alive.

My point of view is if the only time you dicth a leash is when the surf is small then its a sure sign that you are not that good otherwise you wouldnt wear a leash ever no matter how big it gets. (something to consider)

[Patrick__69]

If you want to be gay dont wear a leash

[Brent]

Isalute you - I don't get your point??

I'm not saying everyone should wear tie-died t-shirts, grow a Roy beard & live out some sitting-round-the-campfire at sunset Morning Of The Early pre-leash retro fantasy. That's fleshin'.
What I am saying is it's a different & enjoyable experience, sometimes, in suitable conditions. I don't follow your comment about if I don't use a leash (sometimes) in small waves, then do use one in bigger waves I'm a useless surfer??

[Patrick__69]

I meant alllll the time Brent I dont rely on it haha this reminds me of the 40 year old virgin where they go on a your so gay fight.