Gurus - looking at some brave souls heading out into big surf yesterday and saw amongst the proners a SUP. He was just about to enter the surf and I noticed he had two leg ropes. One ankle and one knee. Is this a thing? Should I do this on the bigger days?? Anyone tried this? If so, what was it like?

IMO Best is double leash string and a 9-10mm thick leash attached at the waist.

Bigger Sups can drag you a long way underwater (way longer than with a surfboard) - a waist leash is easy to rip off if needed.

Knee leashes can really yank on/twist your knee in bigger surf, i've known someone to needed a reco on his knee after getting dragged in big stuff with a knee leash on a SUP.

Ankle leashes can be really hard to reach when you are getting pummelled underwater. I learnt this one the hard way.

The mind boggles...
hope he had both leash on the same leg..
spaghetti tangle in the white water washing machine

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Hoppo3228 said..
IMO Best is double leash string and a 9-10mm thick leash attached at the waist.

Bigger Sups can drag you a long way underwater (way longer than with a surfboard) - a waist leash is easy to rip off if needed.

Knee leashes can really yank on/twist your knee in bigger surf, i've known someone to needed a reco on his knee after getting dragged in big stuff with a knee leash on a SUP.

Ankle leashes can be really hard to reach when you are getting pummelled underwater. I learnt this one the hard way.

Huge fan of the waist leash arrangement. I just found ankle and knee leash both do as much yanking to the body part they are attached to.Waist leashes work well particularly if you have the core strength.

Back on the '70's and early "80's, lots of guys used 2 separate leashes on big days, mostly with 8'6" to 11' full gun boards.
One short 7'er, one 8', 3/8" O&E was an accepted combo at Ocean Beach SF when it got over 10'.
Water temps around 50 had something to do with it, as well as along shore currents as fast or faster than anyo e could paddle.

I use the waist leash on my winter board, but its not a no brainer compared to ankle you want to be swimming away from board facing out to sea to avoid the leash wrapping around your leg or groin or even your neck! I use it to avoid excessive pull on my leg/hip. The leash string is a major weak point as mentioned, check before each go out. I like the boards with double leash string attachment. 2 leashes is asking for trouble, use suitable thickness and length for conditions instead.

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slsurf said..
The leash string is a major weak point as mentioned,

A simple solution is to use:
- two leash strings, of a slightly different length so one wears out before the other to act as a warning
- Dyneema cords, both extremely strong and abrasion-resistant.

I am yet to break one. For comparison, the built-in one of the O&E One leashes could break after just 10 sessions in some power (and I am not a big wave rider).

Sanding a bit the edges of new leash plugs is also worth it, to be sure there is no sharp edge there.

Yeah the oe sup is a nice stretchy leash but the strings are worthless had them break on me since the friction wears them down very fast. I also have used my dyneema windsurf line, much more resistant to friction wear and I've never seen one break in windsurf although I do replace them occasionally when the outside gets worn. I used to wonder if the leash string was intentionally weak for some reason but I think the manufacturers are just cheap.

Some just roll leash up in board bag or around board.just spend 3mins taking leash off every time.one little nick will weaken leash.

I had this happen in quite big (for me) surf. Leash plug ripped clean out of the board. I also went through a spate of snapping leg ropes and worked out that they were getting snagged on the fins and then giving way. My go to set up is now a double leash plug and Dakine big wave leash with the first 2ft wrapped in duct tape to avoid it getting damaged (see 2nd pic). It's not pretty and probably adds a bit of drag but so far so good!

Mine always broke a couple inches from the velcro ankle connection.
Had double leash plugs since 1969, when leashes 1st came into production.

The tail of my gun. These 2 buddies have taken quite some pulls.

A couple years ago I broke 2 brand new heavy duty legropes in a week. There were no replacements around so I bodgied the two broken leg ropes together with a couple couple bowlines and black tape. Caused me no problems and for unknown reasons readuced tombstoning in heavy whitewater.