Big waves bring us to another issue. It’s common knowledge that it is a safe move to wear a leash while riding large surf especially at spots far out from the beach, but when is it too big to wear a leash? Generally speaking, anything up to 15 feet (Hawaiian) is leash worthy. Past that size, there is some debate. Some claim that a leash becomes a liability in that it keeps you tethered to an uncontrollable, fiberglass projectile with a pointed nose and sharp fins.
There are also possibilities of getting your limbs tangled and body knotted to the reef. The assertion is that it is better to be free of your surfboard when being thrashed in the impact zone and held under by the wave’s power. Others argue that the risk of being left stranded far from the beach in heavy surf far outweighs the danger of being hit by your board.
Myself, I have always enjoyed the little piece of mind that a leash provides in big waves. While most leashes snap in truly heavy situations, being connected has helped drag me out of the impact zone, returned my board, and even posed as a lifeline leading to the surface while being pounded in the contradictory darkness of the whitewater.
Therefore, the leash is a required safeguard for all new surfers, yet something that can be avoided to help tightening your technique, improving your skills, and training for contests.
In big waves, there are two frames of mind: always wear a leash to help ensure you are not left stranded without your board or forego the leg rope in order to avoid being hit and injured by your surfboard. For such a simple surf tool, there is a lot to think about.
