Selecting A Good Surfboard Leash

By Paul Smith


When you are out surfing it is important to have all the right equipment. Losing track of your board can really diminish the enjoyment of the sport. Everyone who surfs knows the benefits of having a surfboard leash. The boards usually come with the attachment and are designed to easily snap on or tie on. When you fall off the board, and you will, the length and type of cord is what will help make it easy to retrieve and keep it from gliding into the path of another surfer.

Cuff selection is the first step. You need to decide where you will wear it. Long board surfers often will place it on the calf. This is so they can hold the longer cord up higher while they move back and forth. Since they move more there is a problem with tangling around the feet if it is too low. The shorter boards make it easy to wear on the ankle where it is more comfortable.

Use a swivel to keep it from tangling up. The lack of swivel often causes the cord to tangle and tighten. This will shorten it and make it harder to stay on your board. Once you try one without, you'll quickly see why you need a swivel.

Polyurethane is the main ingredient. Cotton cords shrink in the water and can become brittle in the sun. Using the polyurethane keeps them in good shape and provides some elasticity so they can bounce back and take the jerking motion used to pull them closer. The thickness of the cord also makes a difference. Thicker cords are stronger but create more drag. Thinner cords are not as strong but create less drag. There is a sweet middle level that each surfer needs to pick based on their own style or preference.

Use rail savers to protect the end of the cord. These are a thick fabric that keeps the areas that are rubbing against the board from fraying. Again, the thickness is a factor in performance. If you want less drag, get a thinner material.

The length of the cord depends on what kind of board you're on and how much you move around. If you aren't on a long board, you can use a shorter cord. This keeps the board closer when you come off and prevents other surfers from running into it. The longer cords are needed to move back and forth on the board for long board surfers.

When you are competing you want as little drag as possible. Professionals are always concerned about this since drag affects both speed and performance. New surfers don't need to worry about this as much as just staying on the board.

There is nothing more fun at the beach than riding a great wave. Participating in this sport is allowed at all levels of skill. However, you need to make sure that your board and accessories are matched to your skill to keep you and those around you safe.




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