by Chad Morgan

Created on: July 17, 2010

When it comes to using a surfboard leash for a surfboard, there are the protagonist and the antagonist.  There are solid arguments for the use of a leash and there some good points against using one.  Surfboard leashes are an innovation in surfboarding that has been around for about 25 years.  Still to this day, alot of surfboards come equipped with leashes.

Before you get into the surfboard leash debate, you first have to look at what a surfboard leash is and how it has evolved over the years.  A surfboard leash is a cord like apparatus that attatches to the surfboard.  They usually have a cuff like appendage that is designed to wrap around the surfers ankle or hand.  They were designed to keep the surfboard near the surfer in the case of falling off of the board.  It also helps in being able to locate the board.  Surfboard leashes really didn't become popular until the 1980's, especially during the rapid rise of boogie boards.  These days, you can't buy a surfboard without a surfboard leash attatched to it.

Now comes the debate of the surfboard leash.  The positives of having a surfboard leash is no doubt safety.  Anyone who has surfed knows that when you wipeout you face the possibility of losing your board.  A surfboard leash allows to find your board easier because you are attatched to the board.  It is also helpful in case you are caught in undertow and need something to hold on to.  By far the most important reason to have a surfboard leash is for safety; not only for the surfer but for others around them.

Then there are the negatives of using a surfboard leash.  One is the uncomfortableness.  Alot of surfers complain that a leash gets in the way of their surfing.  Another thing is when it comes to wiping out.  While you are still attached to the board it only has one place to go and that is back in the water.  With a surfboard leash you are setting yourself up more of a chance of getting hit with the board when it comes back down.  The biggest negative of using a surfboard leash is that it hinders your movement a whole lot more than if you did not have a leash on the board in the first place.

There are solid arguments for and against the use of a surfboard leash.  Each has their points.  The best advice is that if you are a beginning to novice surfer, the best thing is to wear a surfboard leash.  If you are an advanced to professional surfer, it should be to your discretion.  It is up to surfer whether to use a leash but the bottom line is that you have to take the safety issue into account.

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