Hi ,

First of all this is a debate I'm not a for or against ,I would just like some feedback.

With the increase of sharks I think we may have to start thinking if leashes should be worn.

As you know when you body drag you are a big lure for sharks. I know shark attacks are rare but they are increasing.


I think out of the two,a shark attack or board strike, a shark attack is much worse.

^^^^ I see where you are coming from but still the amount of board strikes would be far greater than the amount of shark attacks.

I'm happy to take my chances with the sharks. From what I've sEen on the few people that kite at my local with leashes it encourages bad techniques (especially relaunching in light winds) and results in more time spent in the water as shark bait, not less.

Board leash risks are both sling return and possible tangle around bar or lines.
Now using my surfboard as a kiteboard and losing it alot. Surfing without a leash has a nice freedom and kiting is the same.
Generally here along the metro beach I'm not that far out so to lose the board is not that much of a problem.

Got to agree with Neptune
I don't know of one Kiter that has been attacked by a shark but I know of at least 50 people that have had to seek medical attention after being hit by there board because of leashes of all types.

You may be a lure when body dragging but why make yourself a self chumming lure

I like kiting with newbees who spend a lot of time in the water because they distract the sharks. I personally feel much safer.

Select to expand quote

guuy said...

Hi ,

First of all this is a debate I'm not a for or against ,I would just like some feedback.

With the increase of sharks I think we may have to start thinking if leashes should be worn.

As you know when you body drag you are a big lure for sharks. I know shark attacks are rare but they are increasing.


I think out of the two,a shark attack or board strike, a shark attack is much worse.

Specious reasoning Guuy... It's like me taking a rock to the beach when I kitesurf in order to prevent shark attacks. No sharks have attacked me yet so I guess the rock is doing it's job! PM me if you would like to buy the rock off me.

Select to expand quote

lostinlondon said...


Specious reasoning Guuy... It's like me taking a rock to the beach when I kitesurf in order to prevent shark attacks. No sharks have attacked me yet so I guess the rock is doing it's job! PM me if you would like to buy the rock off me.

Don't sell your lucky charm..

Business idea - break rock down into smaller pieces.. More product = more profit Remember, keep the biggest piece for yourself

Select to expand quote

Subculture said...

lostinlondon said...


Specious reasoning Guuy... It's like me taking a rock to the beach when I kitesurf in order to prevent shark attacks. No sharks have attacked me yet so I guess the rock is doing it's job! PM me if you would like to buy the rock off me.

Don't sell your lucky charm..

Business idea - break rock down into smaller pieces.. More product = more profit Remember, keep the biggest piece for yourself

OR... I could start a rock breeding program and keep the Stud rock for myself! This doesn't require me to break my rock. Only problem is I hear rocks can be tricky to breed in captivity... I better get him a good looking rock to mate with...

More people in Aussie are killed by vending machines each year than shark attacks.

thats because more people are trying to retreve stuff from
vending machines that they paided for, but is not forth coming

Select to expand quote

lostinlondon said...

guuy said...

Hi ,

First of all this is a debate I'm not a for or against ,I would just like some feedback.

With the increase of sharks I think we may have to start thinking if leashes should be worn.

As you know when you body drag you are a big lure for sharks. I know shark attacks are rare but they are increasing.


I think out of the two,a shark attack or board strike, a shark attack is much worse.

Specious reasoning Guuy... It's like me taking a rock to the beach when I kitesurf in order to prevent shark attacks. No sharks have attacked me yet so I guess the rock is doing it's job! PM me if you would like to buy the rock off me.

How big and How much ???

So a Leash attached to your board, board springs back on leash hitting you in the face knocking you out and leaving a nasty open gash pulsating out blood.
Or no leash, learn not to fall off.

Are shark numbers on the rise?

Yeh back in 2001 when learning we all used leashes. The only major injury I've had from kiting is having the Board submerge then sling out of the water and crack my head open. Even with my hand up to prevent this, missed it and whacko. But I know why you posted this, few times been body dragging back especially down Denmark way and felt damn vulnerable.

I've used a reel leash for 5 years, they are designed for kiting and work perfectly. Never had a problem as they can't retract against the pressure of the water, I actually have to pull my board back to me. Back in 2001 people used surfboard leashes so no wonder people got hurt.

People that don't fall off are the same people that never try any new tricks and hence never improve.

As far as IanR's comment about knowing at least 50 people hurt by board leashes is a joke, we are not idiots , please don't make things up.

Select to expand quote

Plummet said...

More people in Aussie are killed by vending machines each year than shark attacks.

I used a vending machine today and had no idea how close to death I was.
Rogue vending machine numders are on the rise.
I know we are in their environment but I think we should start to cull them

Select to expand quote

lostinlondon said...

Subculture said...

lostinlondon said...


Specious reasoning Guuy... It's like me taking a rock to the beach when I kitesurf in order to prevent shark attacks. No sharks have attacked me yet so I guess the rock is doing it's job! PM me if you would like to buy the rock off me.

Don't sell your lucky charm..

Business idea - break rock down into smaller pieces.. More product = more profit Remember, keep the biggest piece for yourself

OR... I could start a rock breeding program and keep the Stud rock for myself! This doesn't require me to break my rock. Only problem is I hear rocks can be tricky to breed in captivity... I better get him a good looking rock to mate with...

That's a much better idea! A bit of perseverance required but I like your thinking...

I take a vending machines with me. I get lots of looks and its a **** to get out of my boot but iv never had a shark bite.

I really hate sharks, all sneaky like! I don't trust em, they look shifty

I know, a rock vending machine!!

Im gana be rich, filthy rich I tells ya!!

yeah mean mothers them venders, ive never seen a shark or lion attack one

IanR do tell why he's an idiot ? His choice and as he suggest he's had no problem with using one, why so much angst against him ?

This will always be reviewed every season.

If you are educated about the risks of a leash and you feel comfortable go ahead.
When I was learning I started with lessons in flat water with no waves, rips or tidal currents. I was happy not to have a leash.

When I progressed to that next early and somewhat marginal stage in surf, river mouths etc, I was struggling and a leash was a good "safety blanket" for me to get to the next level.

I got advice and the shop I bought the inertial reel leash from wouldn't sell a leash without a helmet. I respected that and bought the helmet and leash and used both without any dramas. Maybe I was fortunate.

When I went to my next stage of riding - a surfboard I was concerned again, not because of my lack of ability body dragging etc, I was concerned about loosing my surfboard and injuring someone else. I didnt want to use a leg rope as it is more dangerous than the inertial reels I used when learning on a twin tip.
I chose not to use one but I didnt use the surfboard if there were lots of people in the surf, I would use the twin tip instead.

I choose not to use a reel these days because I feel comfortable without one and I still am dictated by the crowd whether I use a surfboard or not.

Select to expand quote

IanR said...

Thorn I've been kiteboarding since 2000
I'd like to refer you to this website http://www.kiteboardleash.com/
A good Freind of mine was nearly scalped by a reel Leash in 2004
I'll try and get a photo of the damage for you tomorrow
Please don't call me a liar
You are an idiot for using a leash

I had a look at the site but I think it is someone trying to sell Go Joes, hence the negativity towards leashes, after all you wouldn't buy a GoJoe if you had a leash. I'm sure you do have a friend that was nearly scalped but you did say that you knew of at least 50 people hurt by leashes. I know a few people that have been hurt trying kite loops as I'm sure you do too but would never suggest that they be banned.
I think at the end of the day it is a personal choice. I'm happy whether anyone uses them or not.

Select to expand quote

Rudebeef said...

Are shark numbers on the rise?

Yes they seem to have risen in WA. There has been an unusual amount of shark sightings this year and several attacks too, some fatal. Beaches have been closed several times.

However even though it seems that there have been a lot of sightings, I wonder if it is because the coastguard now uses a helicopter and several other new technologies to actually find them. Maybe these amounts have been here for years but we just didn't know about it.

i think what he's getting at is there is not a lot of scientific evidence that shark numbers are on the rise... e.g. a recent dept. of fisheries attempt to tag great whites resulted in zero sharks being tagged... though people seem to be seeing more sharks this year, it could be there's more people in the water, not more sharks

or maybe a bit of both, that's my guess.

crossed my mind though to keep things fair, if we were to cull lots of sharks because their numbers are increasing, we should also start culling a few people. and vending machines.

How about you sacrifice a goat to the wind gods each session? chuck it in the water several km away from your flying site. that should keep the sharks interested.

Ps of course vending machine numbers are on the rise. Theres no demand for vending machine door flap soup in asia is there!

Breaking News!
Vending machine attach

My wife and I both used retractable leashes when she started kiting and had no problems. It helped heaps with saving time to get on the board.

The picture above just makes the argument for a helmet more valid imo.

Select to expand quote

KIT33R said...




Breaking News!
Vending machine attach

OMG OMG OMG When good veding machines go bad!!!! Im getting ride of George "thats what i call him". But what about the sharks and the icy cold cokes?

Shark numbers, attacks and perceived risk......

Please look up "Availability bias", for example here:

. www.wisegeek.com/what-is-availability-bias.htm

As well as the "Illusion of control", such as here:

. www.sciencedaily.com/articles/i/illusion_of_control.htm

.....

But the killer is, even being aware of my/your biases, know that its nigh impossible for you to overcome them.