Safety of pedal leash

I’ve tipped over while landing many times, and I don’t care if it happens when I’m at 1-2ft deep.

But I’ve twice tipped over in deeper water, when landing, and surf was big. In both cases I held on to my paddle and the kayak was next to me. On the next wave, the kayak was pushed to the shore. In one of those cases there were people at the shore to hold the kayak. In the other case, the kayak was at the beach, but starting to drift back to sea in a rip current.

I’m thinking about leashing my paddle to the kayak and would like to hear what folks think. Did anyone get tangled in the leash when flipping? Is it safe? What kind of leash to use (mine has bungee cord inside; see pic) ? Where to connect it to?

I use a Scotty paddle leash 130, jump to 35 seconds its hook resistant.  I always unleash my paddle in the surf.

I held on to my paddle and the kayak was next to me. On the next wave, the kayak was pushed to the shore. In one of those cases there were people at the shore to hold the kayak. In the other case, the kayak was at the beach, but starting to drift back to sea in a rip current.

The way I look at it is this: If you are holding on to the paddle once dumped in the surf zone, you are putting unnecessary amounts of possible extreme force exposures to both your gear and body. Just swim/duck dive/possibly* body surf if you've lost control of the kayak. If you are free, you are more likely to have better control(safer) of your own facilities. Fighting the power of waves will just tire you out and more to worry about. Keep it simple.

I’m thinking about leashing my paddle to the kayak and would like to hear what folks think. Did anyone get tangled in the leash when flipping? Is it safe? What kind of leash to use (mine has bungee cord inside; see pic) ? Where to connect it to?

Again, keep it simple. Until you are familiar with both the kayak and your own dynamics in the water, it's probably more dangerous to leash.

I always unleashed while launching.  I usually unleash while landing.  The times I forget to unleash are usually in ankle-slapper, "easy" landings.... which is also when I get tangled up in the leash.  I'm either complacent and/or distracted, and I'll step out with my paddle in hand, without fail on the same side as the leash, and the leash will wrap around my leg/legs.  During big surf landings, I'm much more focused on landing safely so the leash comes off as part of the mental checklist.   

Personally I always keep my pedals leashed at all times.  But my paddle I only leash after I launch and remove it before I land.  IMHO it will only get in the way and can only do harm.  You can often jump out of your yak, and let it ride a wave in without yourself on top of it.  Let it go and grab the rear handle to slow it as the wave pushes it up the shore.  Or get out in front of it and grab the bow handle and guide it up the beach letting the wave help push it along. Just don't get in between the kayak and the shoreline.  On my Hobie, I almost never leash my paddle, since it's not my only means of propulsion. But it stays on the paddle clip, handy in case I need it.

I’m coming to the realization that pedal leash safety is more of a trade off than a yes/no thing. Just like a seat belt in a car, you can be trapped in an accident or it can save your life.
For me, two common scenarios stand out that justify a leash:
- the mirage drive breaks and I’m using the paddle; then while fishing I accidentally loose the paddle
- I flip in the surf, and the water is deep; the next wave pushes my kayak away. I got separated from my kayak.

I’ve improvised a 1” wide webbing around the handle and found a way to strap the paddle so that nothing is in the way. See pics below.

How do you guys efficiently swim with a paddle though? When I was taking a class in HMB, I got dumped by an offshore wave and got separated from my kayak. It was very hard for me to swim with it (paddle). The instructor had to bring the kayak to me.

How do you guys efficiently swim with a paddle though? When I was taking a class in HMB, I got dumped by an offshore wave and got separated from my kayak. It was very hard for me to swim with it (paddle). The instructor had to bring the kayak to me.

Kick your feet so you lie flat in the water, hold the paddle with both hands, and do sweep strokes on the surface with the paddle.  You can move quite a bit faster by using a paddle than all but expert swimmers can move with their hands and no paddle.  Whitewater kayakers use this technique on the rare occasions when they take a swim.

How do you guys efficiently swim with a paddle though? When I was taking a class in HMB, I got dumped by an offshore wave and got separated from my kayak. It was very hard for me to swim with it (paddle). The instructor had to bring the kayak to me.

I swam with the paddle by using my legs only. It’s slow.
Would try using my arms too next time.
If the paddle is leashed to the kayak, I would pull the leash to get a hold of the kayak, and the next wave would be an express ride to the shore

How do you guys efficiently swim with a paddle though? When I was taking a class in HMB, I got dumped by an offshore wave and got separated from my kayak. It was very hard for me to swim with it (paddle). The instructor had to bring the kayak to me.

Kick your feet so you lie flat in the water, hold the paddle with both hands, and do sweep strokes on the surface with the paddle.  You can move quite a bit faster by using a paddle than all but expert swimmers can move with their hands and no paddle.  Whitewater kayakers use this technique on the rare occasions when they take a swim.

I've tried the paddle swim a few times and found it to be not particularly efficient. Albeit my proficiency or skills wasn't great, it felt clumsy and quite energy consuming - more power utilized? Will have to try it again for a longer distance in comparison to free swimming in gear/pfd . If offshore alone and separated from the kayak with paddle in hand, having the kayak would be a higher priority vs. afloat alone w/ a paddle... if I had to choose one over the other.

I also think swimming with a paddle is more energy consuming.
But then I saw that: swimming on your back. Not sure it’d work for the surf zone

li-orca, the purpose of the paddle leash in the surf I think is more one of convenience. your paddle leash looks short, which may be good for avoiding some entanglements, but can also be restrictive for surf paddling usage. Being on a hobie, this may not be a big factor for you tho.

Some things to consider with your system if for surf use w/ a hobie drive. If your hobie drive is leashed and not solidly secured, and you have additional leashes such as to your paddle, you risk intertwining lines in addition to lines wrapping.

Actually that back swim w/ paddle looked fun and speedy... then I realized viewing  in 2x mode 

Always unleash my paddle in the surf. Means launching and landing. Taught so by the great and wise Bushy. Good advice.

And always leash and keep leashed my pedal drive ( Hobie ) while on the water.

I tested that one for you at the mouth of bolinas lagoon and almost drowned myself

Swimming in ocean chaos you don’t want to be tangled up in any leashes