I havent solved the leash issue yet with foiling...
My last 10 sessions or so have been shortboard foiling without a leash in beachbreak conditions. The downside is the occasional swim. The upside is EVERYTHING ELSE. (My beach is empty, no surfers or beach goers.)
I started with a traditional surf leash on my foil sup. But it wraps around the foil wing at the wrong times. And after a wipe out man the foil can snap back toward you pretty hard after the the wave lets go of it.
Ive used a coil calf leash on my shortboard foil... But man I step on it 1 out 3 rides. And you can feel its drag while paddling. Its more irritating than helpful.
So my current program is no leash and the occasional swim.
But there are days coming where this wont work... where the surf is bigger, or there might be other surfers or beach goers.
So what have you found is the least bad solution to the leash problem?
Thx in advance...
Have a look on blue Planet site they have a retractable leash arrangement, think Robert did a video regarding this. I had one when learning to kiteboarding years ago and it lasted pretty well as long as it was washed regularly.
I use a 5 foot comp leash on my prone board works well never gets caught . On my Sup I use a 7 foot coiled leash does the trick but have cut a couple I always carry spares.
I'm using the waist leash off my race board with no issues, wouldn't work for a prone board.
The other free solution I've seen is a little velcro loop to keep your leash out of the way which you reset every time you stack.
For Sup, I am liking the new Naish super short coil leash. Sits on the board while riding but has enough stretch for foil-offs. The standard sup coil leash I use to use would drag off the board.
The waist coiled leash (or waist reeled-in leash kiteboarder style, as sold by Blue Planet) is the ultimate solution. Don't bother with ankle or knee leashes for foiling.
Waist leashes are perfect for foiling because the leash stays at the surface and thus never tangle with the foil with your leg movements. And also, walking to/from the water is so much more practical as you do not have to worry about walking on the leash while managing all this gear.
Seriously, try a waist leash. You will not want to use anything else for foiling (and also maybe for big wave surfing, less "tombstoning").
Great info for everyone. Thank you!
Not sure about a waist leash for prone surfing. How about settling here:
Prone foil: 5-foot comp leash
SUP foil: waist setup
Select to expand quoteBigSeppo said..
Prone foil: 5-foot comp leash
I would not use too short a leash. On wipeouts, you are often catapulted in front of the board, especially when breaching the wing and crashing, it is good to be able to clear the board on the way down.
