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

wheels said...

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 think you made the right decision not using a leash. Better to lose the board with a possibility of getting it back than risking a serious injury from a flying board into your face/head

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.

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.

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

wheels said...
..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.

If you're worried about that knee leashes might be a good option

$700 board or 2k kite - easy pickns in a precarious moment

Perhaps equip a long leg-strap with a quick-release clip/buckle, and give that a try? Both ends of strap...

Just some thoughts.

br0m said...

wheels said...
..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.

If you're worried about that knee leashes might be a good option

Could run the strap onto the back of the harness to get it out of the way and incorporate a quick release as well if you wanted.

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.

I've used a Reel leash for 5 years and never had a problem.