Yeah, I was one of those idiots that thought it would be a good idea to buy that reel leash from KP because as a beginner i got sick of that extra couple of minutes lost when i would have to body drag back. (think they even tried to talk me out of buying it at the time from memory)

the thing i found, is that your crashed kite is quite often dragging you down wind, and the board behind you starts being pulled under the water and on more than half a dozen occasions, i had the situation where i felt like the board was under the water behind me, possibly stuck on something, or just the general underwater drag, which left me in the middle, trapped between the harness and lines to the kite pulling one way, and the board behind me pulling the other, which does start to freak you out a bit when it's happening, because you can't work out what will give way first... and the logical answer is you!

the other thing you'll find with leashes is that people look at you differently..

every experienced kiter on the beach gives you that look of, "oh... so you're a leash boy that's going to wear a leash, and then get smacked in the head and it will mean kiting will be banned at the beach and it'll be all your fault." believe me, i know that look.. when you're starting out, you want help from anyone and everyone, so best not to be so naive as to think you know better and have discovered this amazing leash invention that no-ones ever thought of. .. fact is, they have.. but those people who aren't using it have also had probably 1,000 more stacks than you, and can tell you what happens and why it's best not to use it now... so please.. respect them, and take their advice. in 90% of stacks, yeah, having it could technically be handy, but that other 10% is seriously dangerous. (you just have experienced that other 10% crash type yet.. don't worry, they're coming!)

so yes, i'm now happy to say, i'm officially three years without a leash now, and you know, i'm even starting to make friends these days.. one day, maybe I could be popular even.. but it'll take a long time to undo the damage caused by that stupid leash..