Hi Lost my first surfboard last week on an outer reef break after wiping out on fair size wave and then hit by the next three in the set. I am just wondering if many guys who ride strapless surfboards use leg ropes when kiting off shore breaks. I am thinking its better to lose your board than have it planted in your face but then again body dragging around on an outer reef in WA dosnt feel like the safe thing to do either.
all positive or constructive feed back would be much appreciated.
Thanks
I'm always rocking a leash, even onshore beach breaks..I find that it takes time to get used to riding with it and there is a definite technique involved not to get it wrapped around your legs, last thing I want is to get to a break where it's needed and be fumbling around getting used to it again, when it's on I want to be 100% comfortable with my gear, and I really believe that at some spots if you are strapless it's a necessity...just my two cents worth, If I was into strapless freestyle or boosting then I definitely wouldn't leash up
Use a thick long bigger wave leggy they dont ping back back at you as hard...Especially since you are not doing much like big airs on reefies that separate you to far from your board. If you get a situation where you slingshot your board you can feel it about to happen when its dragging at your leg.
I never use a leggy when surfing beachies but often use one at offshore reefs particularly if I am kiting alone, by alone I mean there may be others out but not mates that I have gone out with that will be quick to help out, there is often only a few poleys where I go.
I would never even consider a leash of any kind if using a TT but on a surfboard with the extra floatation and the fact that I am not very powered up (usually on a 5 or 7) I don't think it is anywhere near as risky.
With a surfboard I don't think the risk is so much the board hitting you but rather going through the lines and pulling on one end causing the kite to loop.
If you are going to use one make sure you are familiar with getting it off in a hurry, most surfers have done this quite a few times but if you are not from a surfing background make sure you practice it.
Having said all that the safest way is probably still to not use one.
^^lol had that once taking off the beach at tombies. Got thrown off the board in a gust and the board went through my lines with the leash wrapped around my neck so I couldn't straighten my leg without the leggy choking me.
I couldn't undo my leg rope quick enough to keep my pride in tact
Lucky it wasn't a reel leash or it could of been dangerous
Wheels, you just dont listen!
Buggar about your board. Im sure it will turn up. Have you put into lost and found?
Use a thick leash like AndreC suggested. I use my SUP leash.
Tried a new Sugar cube surfboard today. Goes upwind as well as the Celeritas but much sweeter turns, And apparently not expensive-If you are chasing a new board
Thanks for sharing all your experience everyone as i hadnt even thought about the board going throught the lines with the leash on and i also think it must be crap when you switch stance and leggy is then on your front foot and i rekon i would get tangle up during the switch.
Hey Loud yeah the first thing i though when i lost the board was you had told me to use a leggie, I have been using a 6'2 stone board i had in the shed since i lost the slingshot and i love it, turns heaps better than the slingshot goes upwind no problem and i had it out in 30knots yesterday and it was okay.
I might try a 10' leggie on a downwinder and see how it goes.
Thanks again everyone as you talked about things i hadnt even thought off.
I guess you should ask this question. Is the chance of serious injury or death higher or lower if i use a leash? i think the answer in most instances is higher.
Have you thought about what will happen when you get washing machined with your board attached? the possibility of it wrapping around your bar and lines is high. Causing you not to be able to release the kite and potentially send it into a looping frenzy.
the better question to ask is would you rather be stuck out the back of the break with no board and no kite- or have something to paddle back in on? you are more likely to lose your kite or not be able to relaunch it than you are to get the legrope wrapped around your lines. and do you really want to be bodydragging through the impact zone trying to spot a white board in the foam?
if you're not boosting or riding strapped then definitely wear one, reef break or beach. i've had fin bites when kiting but that happens whether you wear a leash or not. the board rarely goes through the lines and its no big deal to release if it does. gybing is no problem, the leggy won't get tangled and if it does you just lift your foot and kick it free.
it's not rocket science
I was riding with a leggie last night at Point Moore, the sets were smoking and the wind was offshore. without the leggie my board would have been washed over the reef and potentially drifted upwind due to currents. Not the place to be body dragging through over mast height. This is the place i have worn one as on bigger days i dont want to be wasting time dragging for my board.
I was quite fortunate to be wearing one though as i dropped my kite at sundown and popped the LE, lucky i had the leash as i was en route to hells and had to cut the kite free and save the bar.....would have been much worse to lose kite and board. Keep that pocket knife in the harness you never know when you may need it.....first time in 4years still sharp.
use leash at tombies
other reefs depending size/wind/others
u can feel if leggie loaded up or not
saves a lot of hassle
For me the jury is still out on the leggy issue.I have lost one board without using a legrope.I still cant justify wearing one.. The problem of wiping out and having the board tangled in the lines .Has anybody had this happen?and if so could you reach down quickly enough to get it of?
Perhaps equip a long leg-strap with a quick-release clip/buckle, and give that a try? Both ends of strap...
Just some thoughts.
hey Gibbo good one i wonder if that would work, might try it and see how it feels, and it wouldnt drag the board down as much so less chance of spring back and no tangles around your feet although it would be closer to the bar and line and my neck, but i like the lateral thinking behind it. maybe i should just get one of those shark ankle things then i can body drag all day while getting electrocuted until i find my board.
Big fan of the leggie on outer reefs. Haven't had issues with it really including jibing and going over the top of the lines. I have also lost a board due to no leggie as randomly my harness webbing broke once in high winds. Went out to Hells a couple of weeks ago without one (forgot) and would have lost my second board if I wasn't with a mate who could find it and like Austin says no fun dragging around in that line-up.
Dare I say it.... One of the reasons I still use straps (not always) is to keep the board on my feet no matter what, dumpy shore break, big waves over reefs, it gives me the confidence to go harder and not hold back, I know its a personal preferance thing. and I only lock in when going out over big waves or just before dropping in, otherwise back foot is out and front on the rail
