Finding The Right Surfboard Leash

By Barbara Butler


New surfers learn very quickly the importance of staying attached to your board. There is a definite benefit to using a surfboard leash. Boards come with an attachment to make it easy to wear one and connect it easily to the board. When you come off the board, this will prevent losing it and make it easy to pull it towards yourself. There are a few things to consider in the style that you choose and these will make a difference in both the way it works and whether or not there is a lot of drag on the board.

The cuff needs to fit snugly. The vast majority of surfers prefer to wear it on the ankle. This helps with pulling the board closer when you are in the water and is generally more comfortable. Surfers that use the longboard prefer to have it on their calf. The reason for this is that it keeps it higher when they are on the board and want to move around. It is less likely to get tangled in their feet as they reposition during a wave.

Swivels are a nice device to include. This piece allows the cord to spin freely without getting tangled or bunched up. If the cord starts to bunch it shortens its length. Having a swivel prevents this and makes it much easier to control the cord in the water.

Cords are usually made from polyurethane. The important aspect is the thickness. Professional surfers prefer a thinner cord to prevent drag. Beginners should start with the thicker cord until they are more experienced at falling off the board. This seems odd, but professionals are good at coming off the board in a less violent way. The thinner cords can easily break if the surfer and the board are separated in a rough manner.

Rail savers keep the board attached without breaking the cord. These are at the end of the cord that connects to the board. The fabric is designed to help keep the end protected so it doesn't break from thrashing movements. Thicker ones offer better protection to the end of the board but also create a significant amount of drag. The size and thickness of this is a matter of preference.

Length does matter. Most surfers will have one that is at least four feet long. The key is to have one that is long enough to do its job but not so long that it gets tangled in your legs or on the fin. Longboards usually required a longer cord; sometimes up to twelve feet. The longer the board, the more likely to have tangling or for it to drift into another surfer.

You do not want to experience drag during a competition. Beginning surfers do not need to worry about this. Their primary concern is keeping the board close by and not falling off while on a wave. Professional surfers worry a lot about drag and will choose cords and rail savers that are made from thinner material to reduce the drag as much as possible. As your skills and experience increase, you will find yourself moving to the thinner styles.

Surfing is a fun way to enjoy summer beaches. New surfers can take a lot of advice from the professionals and include a leash in their equipment list. Having a board that wanders off can be a problem.




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