Friday, June 14, 2019

Picking 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.

Not all leashes come with a swivel. You might not think this matters much, but when the cord starts to bunch up on you from twisting around, you'll wish you had one with the swivel. It allows the cuff, and you, to move around without causing the cord itself to get twisted. The last thing you want to worry about when out on the water is the cord getting twisted and becoming too short.

Polyurethane is the primary choice of material. How thick it is will determine how strong it is. Those that surf competitively are more likely to use the thinner cords. Beginners usually start by using the thicker cords. The thin ones can break with a lot of thrashing around. Professionals have enough experience to know the tension that can be applied without breaking the cord.

The rail saver connects to the board. This is usually made of fabric and the thicker it is the more protection it provides to the cord. Again, the thickness can cause drag, so it is a matter of preference for the design. If you're more concerned with smoothness and speed, the thinner version will serve you well but could snap if the cord becomes too taut.

Finding the right length is important. New surfers might think that having a longer cord is better. It is not. In fact, they need to be sized just right so the board doesn't wander into the path of another surfer or get tangled around their feet or the fin. Longboards usually have longer leashes so the surfer can move around. They usually come in lengths from 4 feet up to 12 feet long depending on your need.

Preventing drag is important in competition. New surfers definitely do not need to worry about this factor. As they gain experience they will graduate to thinner cords and smaller rail savers. Professional surfers already have the experience and desire to reduce the drag as much as possible to have smoother and faster runs.

Surfing is a great way to have fun in the sun. Those that take it seriously will have all the right equipment in order to be competitive and move as quickly and smoothly as possible. The right leash, in the right position, can keep you attached to your board and never slow you down.




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