controversial topic, keen for peoples thoughts

[Tommy.TenToes]

I, generally, don’t encourage anyone who isn’t working on noseriding to take a leash off
It only really becomes a hindrance when cross stepping but to learn to cross step i like people to wear them
Next thing to teach is dismounting with the board before we take the leash off

HOWEVER

Not wearing a leggie really helps me surf within myself and be more sure and purposeful
It also, as a surf coach/lifeguard, means less to get tangled up in when pushing people or when performing rescues in the impact zone

When students stop wearing leashes, for a while, they get tense and stiff and the focus is all about staying with the board but, you’re right, once that part becomes easy there is an obvious confidence that a lot of leashless surfers then develop

I have a few rules/guidelines for myself:
1. If i lose my board twice in a sesssion I give myself a red card and go change board or get a leash or walk the dog
2. If I’m learning a new skill or the conditions look like I might risk losing the board I will start a session with a leash
As a reference…I can count on one hand the number of times per year I have to swim to get my board

[CamW]

Nice one. I like and will pocket your guidelines, thanks 😁

Any advice on board control during a leggy-less wipeout or if I’m on a wave spot that doesn’t allow for a kick out?

My go-to is to just pin drop and grab the board on my way down. This works well if I’m in the middle or trim section but if I’m over the tail it can get away from me sometimes.

I’ve seen others fall forward with their chest onto the board. Though this might ding the board (or my face) if done too heavily. I’ve seen some who do this even reshuffle into prone and then pop up again if they’re still on the face of the wave with enough speed.

Any other strategies or advice on these scenarios?

[paul]

I generally wear a calf leash unless it’s small, clean and empty. I am working on setting up nose rides and like the freedom to fall and know that my board won’t be more than 20’ away. But I try to surf as if I’m not wearing a leash, end my waves with control and always hold on to my board. On a wipeout I try to drop next to the board and grab the rail if I can, even with a leash on.

The leash hasn’t been much of a hindrance to me. It can be annoying to get tangled once in a while or if there is a lot of seaweed, but otherwise I don’t mind it. There also isn’t much of a longboard scene where I live, so most people have leashes on.

That being said, I see how a leash could result in bad habits like diving off at the end of a wave, letting go of your board when paddling out, paddling out in waves that are dangerous, etc, and leashless sessions could certainly help develop new habits in those instances.

I would love to surf my longboard without the leg rope more often but I’m not there yet.

[CamW]

Thanks for your thoughts, Paul.

Since progressing far enough to enjoy surfing at my local spot without a leg rope I’ve tried wearing one again and pretending I’m not but my brain reflexively acts like I have a leg rope on and disregards the board during a wipeout.

BUT

Since reading your post and trying it again it’s been fine haha psychology, hey? Good on you for prioritising board control always. I feel most folks are too occupied thinking about that big maneuver they want to execute and forget the basics like finishing a wave with control.

[paul]

Ha! I went this morning and it was tiny and empty, so I went without the leg rope. I think your post inspired me to do that more often.