Power Kite Forum

Board leash (not the do or do not question)

macboy - 12-2-2009 at 10:28 PM

I'm in the "do" camp for the time being and understand that board leash use comes with it's risks and requires helmets and PFD / Impact vest protection but for me, when the water opens I'll be using a leash with the above criteria met.

The question is - can I make one myself? I recall the leash we had in Hawaii and it appeared to be little more than some low(ish) stretch shock cord, screwed to a heelside fin screw, the other end velcro strapped to the back of the harness (could probably use an airush wrist strap that I have kicking around which has a quick release on it).

Any words of wisdom? No rush, we've got months to go before there's an water around ; )

nwsurfwakeskate - 13-2-2009 at 01:11 AM

buy a reel leash. its worth the money and a lot safer to use then a homemade leash.

I personally use one and have never been hit by my board. that's not to say it isn't possible. just haven't had it happen, yet....:shocked2:

Chefmini - 13-2-2009 at 01:15 AM

Im still a new guy when it comes to kiteboarding, however I will not use a leash. Learn to body drag back to the board. I remember some foto of a girl who got wrapped in the mouth with her board....knocked all of her front teeth out!:wow: that pic stayed with me for a while..not in a good way either. Id rather lose a board than lose my teeth.
just my .02cents

kiteNH - 13-2-2009 at 06:06 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by Chefmini
Im still a new guy when it comes to kiteboarding, however I will not use a leash. Learn to body drag back to the board. I remember some foto of a girl who got wrapped in the mouth with her board....knocked all of her front teeth out!:wow: that pic stayed with me for a while..not in a good way either. Id rather lose a board than lose my teeth.
just my .02cents


x2

I wouldn't use a board leash for similar reasons. And I definitely would use anything other than a top of the line reel leash if I did.

PHREERIDER - 13-2-2009 at 06:32 AM

it a time saver ,if you have the time to drag around in swells and tidal flow then don't use it . YOU WILL BE IN THE WATER A LOT IF YOU DROP THE BOARD FREQUENTLY

but if you want to RIDE MORE get a reel... it's worth it AND A HELMET IF SO INCLINED

as you progress you will drop it AND SHOULD

DO NOT NEGLECT THE SKILL TO GET YOUR BOARD !


again it'S A TIME SAVER IF YOUR OUT IN SWELLS THE BOARD CAN BE HIDDEN AND U CAN LOOSE SIGHT OF IT. A FAIRLY LONG BUNGEE 8FT AND A REG. LEASH IS A 2ND OPTION. AND IF THE WATER IS COLD A COUPLE MINUTES TOO LONG MAY GET UNCOMFORTABLE

leebrianh - 13-2-2009 at 07:41 AM

Reel leash. I used it when I started kiteboarding and was happy with it. I wouldn't use home-made leash, though.

DenisLaMenace - 13-2-2009 at 07:42 AM

board leash NO WAY NEVER, or just to carry the board, but never when riding, even the real leash

too many pictures if you google "kitesurf board leash accident"

this one does not look good, even if you had a vest or helmet



I really like to body drag once a while when I loose my board. It may take 1 to 15 minutes to retrieve it, but I am very good at it now, so it gives me confidence if ever I am in trouble and need to body drag to shore. I know I will do it.

Body drag and self rescue need to be practiced...

If you want to practice new tricks, NO LEASH..., just do it in shallow water

kiteNH - 13-2-2009 at 07:52 AM

There goes breakfast. I don't use a lot of those smiley face things but with that I had one for projectile vomiting right now.

DenisLaMenace - 13-2-2009 at 08:06 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by kiteNH
There goes breakfast. I don't use a lot of those smiley face things but with that I had one for projectile vomiting right now.


I did not mean to make it hard, but it's like the dont drink and drive ads on TV. Sometimes they have to punch

Also read somewhere recently thta IKO stronlgy suggest not to use one.

A good alternative for a beginner is the OCEAN RODEO GO-JOE.

I was demoed one this summer, and was very surprised that because of the floating GO-JOE the board always goes back upgright, and does downwind very fast with the wind blowing on the GO-JOE.

I was very sceptic until an IKO teacher demoed it to me. We put 2 boards (his and mine) against. His board came back to shore (downwind) 3-4 times faster.

But of course, nothing perfect, this is UGLY IMO.

Bladerunner - 13-2-2009 at 08:32 AM

Mac,

I have a real leash you could use and then send back.

If you are going to spend money I would suggest the GoJoe ! Good thing with a GoJoe is you are teaching yourself to drag to your board and that's the goal !

You don't have to worry about getting looked at funny. In Edmonton you have set yourself up for jokes already by flying what I think they call a " mattress " :singing:


If I take the real leash at all I find it usefull for body dragging out and such. I take it off when I'm going to BLOW yet another attempt at getting up. Fact is you can body drag upwind better using your board. Now I'm not as stressed about the kite while dragging I don't need a leash.

PHREERIDER - 13-2-2009 at 08:57 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by Bladerunner
Mac,

I have a real leash you could use and then send back.

If you are going to spend money I would suggest the GoJoe ! Good thing with a GoJoe is you are teaching yourself to drag to your board and that's the goal !

You don't have to worry about getting looked at funny. In Edmonton you have set yourself up for jokes already by flying what I think they call a " mattress " :singing:


If I take the real leash at all I find it usefull for body dragging out and such. I take it off when I'm going to BLOW yet another attempt at getting up. Fact is you can body drag upwind better using your board. Now I'm not as stressed about the kite while dragging I don't need a leash.



yesterday a group of local guys came down to my reg. spot and they 're all tube fliers.. i was flying a phantom for 2 hours while they watched.... on the land... on the water i was riding and laughing and demonstrating good use of wind at hand ...nothing funny there folks about flying a mattress

Bladerunner - 13-2-2009 at 10:31 AM

Always, ALWAYS put your contact info on your board and kite !!!!!

Most people are honest.

The Coast Guard will be able to end a search when they contact you. + give you back your gear. Contact the Coast Guard if you lose gear. They may be looking for you ?

I'm hoping the new Hydra will help brake the myth of foils not working on water!


Phree', Try a GoJoe if you really want to have them chuckle at you !

macboy - 13-2-2009 at 11:44 AM

Wow - didn't think it'd "go there" but it did and it's duly noted. Thanks for all the feedback everyone - words of wisdom for sure.

So, if a guy were to opt for the no leash plan afterall, how do you go about body dragging back to your board if you're significantly downwind of it? Can you REALLY make headway upwind by just sticking your arm out and extending your legs straight as a board and so you just tack back and forth until you get it?

BR - You've mentioned a couple of times about using your board as a rudder while you drag - how do you do that? Just hold it to your chest or one end in your outstretched arm and the other against your chest?

I've got no fears about body dragging - it's about the only thing I learned in Hawaii - but I can't say for sure that I was dragging upwind out there - the goal was to just clear the 200 yard "no kite zone" before I slipped into the board.

Bladerunner - 13-2-2009 at 12:50 PM

You don't HAVE to drag upwind if your board is upwind. Just drag back and forth until it blows back downwind toward you . This + seeing the board better are the GoJoes strong points.

YES . hold the board out in front by a foot strap or handle if you have one.. Dig in like you would with your arm / hand and point it upwind. Essentially the same body position as dragging with one arm straight out. Just that the board makes a far better rudder than your hand. And Yes you can actaully make some progress upwind just using your body + outstretched arm.

Practice Body dragging upwind and downwind + self rescue. All 3 may save your life one day !