Surfboard Leashes

In the early days of surfing, surfboard leashes were only used by beginner surfers and were seen by the pros as something of a training aid. New surfers would simple use a length of string or cable to tie to their leg and their board in order to prevent it getting away from them. These types of leashes were not very comfortable to say the least, and often did a lot of damage to the surfboard rails when they were pulled tight against them and began to rub.

Modern surfboard leashes are a great deal more advanced and thankfully a lot more comfortable. They are often made of a very strong urethane cord, which is not only lightweight and waterproof, but also has a smooth finish that makes it kind to the skin and to your board. Most modern leashes also have swivels in place that prevent the cord getting caught up and always allow you the max leash length available.

There is a lot of variety in leash length, which is due to various surfboard sizes and even different riding styles. Shortboard riders tend to use a much shorter surfboard leash than longboarders, who often move about the board more and need a long leash simply due to the size of the board. You can get leashes that strap to the rider’s knee, but most surfers still prefer ankle leashes.