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rgmacca said..
Totally new to this as not been on a foil yet, but Kited for years, from the early days of wearing a surf board leash, to going without one.
question, best leash combo and length. Coil/straight
thanks.

I like a straight leash to the wing, either from the wrist or waist, I go to the waist normally. A coiled from the waist to the board.
Never two coiled, they tangle.
Having both to the waist can be an issue, if something happens to the waist belt you could loose the lot. But it does make prone paddling out easy and will free up both hands.

A good solution would be to use a small sea anchor connected to the board and stored in a pocket in your back

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juandesooka said..
If you are doing freestyle and jumps, then you can make an expert decision not to use a leash. Seems to me these debates are inadvertently encouraging newbs to make dumb misinformed decisions that could put them at risk.

Yeah so, I know the feeling of having a board drifting away from you, but now acquired a board with straps. I haven't tried it yet, but I'm into backloops / forwards and big jumps on my windfoil kit, so want to try the same (and vulcans /flakkas) on the wing. With the windfoil kit im very happy it isnt attached to my body, had a few near misses with the foil already, and think having a leash would only increase those odds.

I'm half thinking to ditch the leash when I want to try jumps and stuff. Any wing freestylers out there who ditched the leash?

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WhiteofHeart said..

juandesooka said..
If you are doing freestyle and jumps, then you can make an expert decision not to use a leash. Seems to me these debates are inadvertently encouraging newbs to make dumb misinformed decisions that could put them at risk.

Yeah so, I know the feeling of having a board drifting away from you, but now acquired a board with straps. I haven't tried it yet, but I'm into backloops / forwards and big jumps on my windfoil kit, so want to try the same (and vulcans /flakkas) on the wing. With the windfoil kit im very happy it isnt attached to my body, had a few near misses with the foil already, and think having a leash would only increase those odds.

I'm half thinking to ditch the leash when I want to try jumps and stuff. Any wing freestylers out there who ditched the leash?

Just check out some videos from Balz and other then you know.

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marco said..

WhiteofHeart said..

juandesooka said..
If you are doing freestyle and jumps, then you can make an expert decision not to use a leash. Seems to me these debates are inadvertently encouraging newbs to make dumb misinformed decisions that could put them at risk.

Yeah so, I know the feeling of having a board drifting away from you, but now acquired a board with straps. I haven't tried it yet, but I'm into backloops / forwards and big jumps on my windfoil kit, so want to try the same (and vulcans /flakkas) on the wing. With the windfoil kit im very happy it isnt attached to my body, had a few near misses with the foil already, and think having a leash would only increase those odds.

I'm half thinking to ditch the leash when I want to try jumps and stuff. Any wing freestylers out there who ditched the leash?

Just check out some videos from Balz and other then you know.

Yeah most people on instagram doing jumps ditched the leash, but I'm only just starting out with freestyle ;).

What about a drag flap that deploys under the board when your feet aren't in the straps? You'd have to ride high in the gybes but....

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CFLKiter said..
Ok I know everyone wants to ditch it, how many actually have? I am starting to really enjoy my downwinders on the wing foil but coming from kiting where I never use a leash this board leash is driving me crazy. Not fun having you coil leash jammed into your footstrap or wrapped around your mast.
Seems you could just use the wing to body drag to the board or swim upwind to grab it in most conditions.

Last June I had to call the coast guard because the leash of a friend of mine broke off after a fall. His board took off with gusto in strong winds and he was left holding his wing. Fortunately on that day the wind direction was side shore toward the beach (it is generally straight off shore), and he made it back after a long time. The coast guard actually found the board, and it was overall a happy ending. Think of the result in off shore winds and no friend with a VHF radio around ...

After three sessions of fighting with the leash wrapped around the mast, and having the wing leash as well to deal with. I went straight out and bought a waist leash, best thing ever. no more tangles, leash never wraps around the mast, only now and then do I have to do a pirouette in the water instead of spinning the waist leash. Sooner or later we will all end up using a waist harness so it makes sense to have the two combined.

Safety first. Always wear a leash in case something happens to stop you being able to swim. But hey if you are going to ditch it make sure you can drift to safety very easily.
I have just started using a coiled Balin waist leash for winging on flat water. Awesome! It's a keeper & don't think I will ever go back to a leg leash. Love it.
But as for surf foiling without a wind wing. I think I'll stick to my leg leash.