- The thicker the cord, the stronger the leash
- The thinner the cord, less drag is created (comp leashes/5mm)
- You don't need a 7mm leash for small waves - it will create too much drag when paddling into waves and takeoff
- Bigger waves = thicker leashes and vice versa
- Leash should be close in length to the the length of your board
- If you are in between sizes (example 5'6") go with a 6' leash
- Personal preference and experience plays a part
If you are a beginner surfer, go with a bit longer leash - a foot longer than your board is a good rule of thumb but too much longer and you create danger to those around you, especially in a packed lineup.
Think of it this way...
If your board is 6 feet long and your leash is 7 feet long, you now have a 13 foot radius and a 26 foot diameter from your leg to the nose of your board when you ditch/fall. Thats a lot! So again, don't go too long!
Care and Replacement
Leashes are designed to stretch a bit to prevent injuries as well as snapping.
Over time, you will notice your leash has stretched to a longer size. This is normal but at some point the leash will risk snapping because it has lost its elasticity.
Check your leash often for these signs and replace accordingly. For the general recreational surfer in head high waves, once a season is a good rule of thumb.
The polyurethane cord is not the only thing to consider when replacing and/or caring for a leash.
We see lots of instances where the leash cord itself is in great shape but the surfer doesn't rinse and re-close the leg cuff, thus degrading the velcro that keeps it on. RINSE, RINSE, RINSE when you can, or the cuff will come loose - no bueno!
Keep your leash out of the sun at all costs when not in use. This is a no-brainer. If you are a surfer, that means you probably are in salt water and sun. Salty air + sun = corrosion. Even if your board is on a roof rack, just take the leash off and throw it in the back of your car until its time to rip.
Leash strings are also a commonly overlooked piece of the puzzle.
Over time, the knot will move towards the end of itself and come loose if you aren't careful. Replace these if they fray and keep an eye on that knot.
Its also a good idea to double up the leash string like in the image below. This will save your board rail and put less stress on your leash string. Thank us later:)
One last tip, and this should be a given - don't go into the lineup without a leash. Even the best surfers that occasionally do this have mishaps that lead to anything from dirty looks to dinged up boards and worse. (board to the dome?!) Just don't do it.