Today I took a fall winging in the worst spot, right at our local sandbar about 200 yards offshore. No reef, but good size breakers coming in. Normally I try to hold my wing over my head and let the board go (on leash), but the waves were too high today and they took me and all my gear for an unwanted ride. After coming up and realizing nothing was damaged, 3 more waves were waiting for me to do the same thing. I was amazed that I escaped the carnage without a tear in my wing but quite relieved as it is still fairly new.

It got me wondering if holding the wing is the best course of action here. Would it be better to hold the board close to my body when getting pummeled by waves? Or does anyone have a better plan? Or is there no good plan?

Long board leash and short wing leash

An extending board leash to let the board move away from you and the wing and give you time to reorganise yourself. No idea why everyone doesn't use these.

www.blueplanetsurf.com/zero-drag-retracting-leash-system.html