i've been using shortboard leggies for a while, but i'v been get it tangled around my paddle when surfing- more so during cutbacks. this was happening on my 8'9 psh and is worse on my dc 8'6 stepper. must have happened about 5 times in one session. not sure why and don't really wont to get into it
what i'm looking for is the best short coiled leggie that hopefully will be out of the way
cheers

Chookman78 said...

I dropped into surf aids (in byron) this afternoon and they are just starting to make them and are in the testing stage. you can get them made with the coil to which either end you prefer. I've got one coming for my down winder and i'll try it on my shorty aswell and let you know how they go. If you go to them and talk to them they will make them to your specifications for about $50 i think.

thx's for that. i've got a coiled leegie for my dw ing, works well. thinking about it, 2 would be good- a lightweight one and the heavier duty number for the bigger stuff

I have the same issue-tend to be pretty 'active' on a wave and it happens heaps. Dunno' about the coiled option, I suspect that any 'real' wave will get the curls out pretty quickly?

Hey Lacey,

I used a coiled leggie in the surf and I hated it. Like Cammo said it lost it's shape and after a
good stretch it would bunch up and tie itself in knots. Then all of a sudden I had a 2' leggie
instead of the original 8'.

Also if you're surfing beachies with any weed in the water the coil catches the weed, not
usually while surfing but more when you come off near the shore/weed. At Southside mine got
caught in kelp and I had to take a few on the head trying to free it.

I've gone the heavy duty 6' and 7' leggies and it has really limited the problem. On an 8'6"
board (pointy nose) a 6' leash is plenty.

Thats my experience anyway...

well, looks like the coiled leggies aren't the go
it's been suggested to me to try a light 8 ft leggie. the idea being the bigger loop might not catch the paddle
i wonder if it's problem that is developing with the shorter boards- tighter arcs and turns, and ripping the paddle from the side right around the back of the board and back up the other side?

Re.. the half coiled, half straight knee cuff, Balin SUP leggies.. I'm still lovin' mine.. and I know heaps of people that love theirs.

But I'm not like Ali, Cam and Brendan that are smashing lips and thrashing about on every wave.

The last session that I had with Oliver I caught about 20 waves and didn't fall in once.. They were only knee high.. .. but still had heaps of fun.

I agree for serious guys (and gals) the straight leggie with the ankle cuff might be the better way to go.. especially in bigger waves.

DJ

I thought that too after I posted... it might just be a case of finding the "sweet spot" location (somewhere on the back left) if you're natural.
Anyway, it was just a thought :)

camo hosk said...

the coiled leggies I've used don't seem to handle any waves with a bit of power as the coil loses its form after a decent stretch,

I'm not into them either for this reason. I was out in heavy conditions and my board went down the falls, I could feel a stretch and then I felt a kind of dull thud, where I felt it stretch to the point of no return. My coiled leggie was no longer the same again - the coil failed. DJ reckons you put it in the freezer and it will be ok again - but I reckon that's an old wives tale. My coiled leggie was rooted after that.

the 6ft leggies are good for falling off ya board over the nose and getting nailed as you cant clear it

disclosure: i use a 6ft leggie

Have you thought about somehow attaching a small weight or something to the middle of the leggie.. so as your ridding a wave the leg rope will always be dragged back.. you may feel it a bit more but at least it will keep it out of they way..Maybe try a small fishing sinker tied on with a piece of line.. I am pretty sure someone will invent something soon enough

62mac said...

tha dogman said...

hahaha

a coiled leash is best kept on some kids boogie board lacey

Was going to say that when Lacey posted his wild idea,question Lacey, how many boogie leggies have you seen stretched beyond recoveryMillions,you said your now thinking of a 8 foot leggie,if your riding a 8 something board that your NEVER going to nose ride,how about a 6 foot leggie

i use a 6' leggie. i wouldn't know what boogers use, i don't give them the time of day. that mightn't be the correct thing, but thats the way it is for me
cheers

laceys lane said...
i wouldn't know what boogers use, i don't give them the time of day. that mightn't be the correct thing, but thats the way it is for me
cheers

OT

Mate-lucky you don't surf the N end of the Northern Beaches in Sydney-I dunno' when the line was crossed-but boogers up here get the same respect (from most surfers) in the water as others....

laceys lane said...

that,s the part that s#### me, does happen on some flat junk wave, always on a good one

Seems to mainly happen to me on my back hand-particularly when I cut back into the foam to do the bounce off and come back around. Shorter leggie reduces the incidence-but that's not ideal in sizeable waves.

loco4olas said...

laceys lane said...
i wouldn't know what boogers use, i don't give them the time of day. that mightn't be the correct thing, but thats the way it is for me
cheers

OT

Mate-lucky you don't surf the N end of the Northern Beaches in Sydney-I dunno' when the line was crossed-but boogers up here get the same respect (from most surfers) in the water as others....

laceys lane said...

that,s the part that s#### me, does happen on some flat junk wave, always on a good one

Seems to mainly happen to me on my back hand-particularly when I cut back into the foam to do the bounce off and come back around. Shorter leggie reduces the incidence-but that's not ideal in sizeable waves.

i shouldn't have put that up- had bad start to the day

Guys,

We've made quite a few different leggies for all kinds of SUP riders over the last 12 Months. Maybe just some info for you so you can sort out your needs.

1. SUPs were using, and still do, our Lonboard (straight leashes) - these are set up to use 7.4mm urethane with matching mouldings (the expensive part). The urethane is a slighly harder grade than our competitors which improved the strength of the old standard by about 15% (tensile strength). Understand this stuff is just a plastic that has incredible stretch. It is not hard to break if you stretch it far enough. So the percieved strength is in the length combined with the weight and volume of the board and or wave. Longer is "stronger". Most guys on 10-11'0 boards in the surf seem to break these cords eventually.

2. So having said that - our 9ft and 10ft. straight longboard leashes do seem to have regular breakages when used by SUPs. We've can build hand tied 9mm leashes and haven't had one break, but...there is a bigger more dangerous recoil factor. A Mate nearly had his head sliced open by a recoiling board. It truly frightened the crap out of him. He now wants to try a short urethane x 9mm cord attached to about 1.5 - 2.0 mtrs of plain 6mm rope. To limit recoil, however sacrificing some "strength".

Just a note on this. - leash plugs fitted dead center will encourage the board to come straight back at you! (fins and plug and force all line up toward you) If they're offset - pulling your leggie will try to turn the board off course...away from you. (bit of old board maker knowledge).

3. Our Monster coils that DJ helps us with solve the breakage problem by building in more length. 3.1 mtrs over all. (remember length is strength). Yes Coils will stretch out but can be heated to regain their tightness. (don't tell anyone your going to use the oven after the roast is cooked! ) Coils can only be made to retain their spring by going to an even harder grade of urethane. (Mike stuart Gyroll) They don't stretch as easily though coz of the hardness.

4. One last factor. Your boards surface area and weight combined when presented 'side on' to a breaking wave....and this will happen eventually...will determine the maximum 'pull force' you and your leggie is going to experience.

Leash design is a work in progress and we've had great input form users. There's so many variables here that I suspect there is no 'one-size-fits-all' solution.

We recommend you weigh up the wave size you ride, the weight, length and surface area of the board you use - and see what others reckon.

Good debate guys - keep it up.
JON

Thanks for your feedback Jon..

That's an interesting point about the offset leash plugs.

DJ