safety note: use of surf leash in windy conditions.

folks, while out at moss landing by myself, I have been attaching myself to the kayak.

The idea is if you get separated, the kayak won't blow away out of your reach.

Surfers use a leg-rope or surf-leash to attach themselves to their boards. if you fall off, get
tumbled by wave, 95 times out of 100, you are still attached to your nice and floaty
surfboard. Sometimes the wave is big and strong and your leash is old and it snaps.
check the leash for cuts and nicks like you would check a leader.

The surf-leashes come in different lengths and thicknesses. they are about $20-$30 in
any good surf shop. They are built for heavy duty use with swivels etc. They don't tangle.

I'm using one about 8 feet and fairly thick, for a big-wave surfboard.

The ankle part goes around my right ankle.

The part that would attach to a surfboard I attach to the front toggle on the yak.

There's usually a safety release on the ankle part, so if somehow you fell off and are being
dragged through the surf by your kayak, you can bust loose.

anyway, most of you probably won't like this, but I am used to having a leash on when
surfing anyway, it's comforting knowing I'm leashed to the kayak like the rest of my
equipment, 

They say the best thing you can do in an emergency is stay with the boat and this is
something that helps with that advice.

Best,

J

I'm used to being on a leash, too.  I'm married...   

I need to get a paddle leash, not nearly the same as being tethered to the kayak, but might be a decent compromise.  I have avoided so far as I can see snagging a leash with hooks...

I was actually using the surf leash around my paddle until I needed it for me.

so I got a paddle leash from NRS. I'm not really thrilled with the robustness,
but it has not gotten in the way. I routinely chuck my paddle overboard when
messing with stuff on the yak.

I do not carry a spare paddle of any sort.  probably should.

About 2 years ago down in Bay of LA, Baja was the first time I put one on my yak.
This is how it happens - the wind and sea starts to build, you try to paddle against
the wind, you are getting tired because you are getting worked. Because you are
tired you loose your blance and go over. The wind takes your boat away.
You know that they always find the boat. That is a great saftey tip J and easy to
apply.

Just make sure you "un-leash" when landing or launching on a big surf day (this includes your paddle leash as well). You don't want those things wrapping around your legs or even your neck when you take a tumble 

Gary/Sandman and Lonny are a few of the guys that I know - that carry spare paddles. I plan to do the same.

Actually you could get off the kayak, leave your self leashed. push the kayak ahead of you, stern first.

it will catch a wave and be pulled in you can get dragged in behind it.  you won't get dragged real far,
a human is a big sea anchor. the biggest risk is that the leash will give way and your kayak will hurtle
to shore without you.

but if you are riding it in, yeah, you might want to unleash first.

I have leashes on my rods, net and paddle.  If I fall over I just hold onto whatever I'm holding onto and I'm leashed in fine.  Usually the kayak flips over when you fall off and a bunch of leashed gear hanging down in the water, milk crate and seat cover all makes for an effective sea anchor.  When my dad fell in the kayak didn't move at all.  Wasn't especially windy that day though.

Don't think a leash would help much if you fell in san pablo bay while anchored though.  That current really rips, your only hope is that your buddies rescue you.

You don't 'lose your balance' on a good fishing kayak because you're tired.  Heck, I've dozed off on my kayak while sturgeon fishing.   

I have thought about the same thing but I think Kevin mentioned the paddle leash. Just hang on to the paddle when you go over.  Also I agree with mooch. don't stay leashed on landing.  Chuck even takes his leash of the paddle when he lands.  No tangles.

Jason

as long as the paddle leash is industrial strength. otherwise it might snap.

the NRS one I have is some lightweight bungie.  a few ultra violet rays,
a few more salmon trips, it'll be toast.

J

Unfortunately for me I have a paddle leash that will survive a nuclear Holocaust.  My only concern is whether or not it will be able to handle all the sabiki hooks embedded in it.   

Jason

maybe a paddle clip, no leash on your main paddle, a spare paddle and a leash on your leg gives you convenience
as well as strong backup safety.   

then you don't need to leash your main paddle at all.  clip it.  if somehow you get separated
from it, bust out the spare, to go get it. 

I have a habit of hucking mine over the side now tho. I better keep leashing it.

When I hear the whitecaps starting to snap I can "see" breaking swell in my head and I don't settle until I get in.........I hope it saves me from the real experience.  I love the ocean, but I have serious respect for its power and have been grateful that it hasn't killed me the couple of times in my life that I've been inattentive.

I've come in in big surf on a surfboard a gazillion times.  So I kind of know what to do. namely, do not let the board/kayak
get between you and the shore. keep the item toward shore at all times.

I would definitely not try to ride in sitting down and leashed up. In truly big surf, I would get out of the yak and be the human
sea anchor. 

as for the paddle leash saving your butt,
if you fall out while holding the rod and not the paddle in big wind, you could get separated from the yak.

I'm leashing if I'm going way offshore. If I ever have to land in heavy surf, I'm bailing and trailing.

Best,

J

Yes.  This discussion is a good rehearsal for the day that I don't get lucky.........

a big wave surf leash is basically a 15 foot urethane shock absorber.

sounds like you have the equivalent.

best,

J