First post to this forum so I can't post photos yet, but I will add them as soon as I can.

I just switched to wing foiling about a month ago after kite surfing for 10+ years and am really loving it, despite the fact that my local spot has waves whenever the wind is up which is making for a challenging learning curve (but if it wasn't challenging it wouldn't be as much fun, right).

Anyway, when I bought my equipment (Cab Crosswing X2s 6m & 4m, Quatro Wing Drifter Pro, NP Glide Surf HP23) the shop gear guru convinced me to go with an Ozone wing waist leash strap and the North quick release coil board leash. I was a bit sceptical of the plastic buckle on the Ozone belt and I was right to be as, during my second session, it somehow came apart after a fall in small waves (~2ft.); fortunately my board got washed in, no real harm done. However, I decided to modify it for future use. Good chance someone has already done something similar, so I'm not claiming any great leaps in design! :).

I simply cut off the plastic buckles leaving the sewn webbing loops intact. These loops I joined together by thread some 5 mil climbing cord through and securing into a loop using triple fisherman's knots (low profile and very secure). I made the loop just large enough to allow me to step into the web belt (with the belt at max extension via the plastic slider) and slide it up to my waist. The triple fisherman's knot can be worked into the smaller of the sewn loops on the waist belt to make things a bit tidier. I then tighten the belt via the plastic slider. The quick release of the North coil leash could simply be secured around the webbing, but I opted to use a small stainless steel maillon/quick link (I used Loctite on the threads to ensure it wouldn't work open through movement) to which I attach the quick release. The maillon allows the board leash to slide a little from hip to hip, which seems good. I know both the climbing cord and maillon are stronger than the actual waist belt webbing, so the webbing belt is actually the weakest 'link' in the setup, so I have a lot more faith in it now than when it had the cheap plastic buckles!
Apologies for being so long-winded.pictures will do the explaining better when I am allowed to upload them.

Never had an issue with my ozone wing connect harness. But after a close call being pinned down underwater in wild conditions and still hooked in, fighting to unhook myself, I'm looking for a way to have a quick release.

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Alysum said..
Never had an issue with my ozone wing connect harness. But after a close call being pinned down underwater in wild conditions and still hooked in, fighting to unhook myself, I'm looking for a way to have a quick release.

The North QR board leash holds when it's supposed to and releases well when you want it to. Same system as kite leashes - grab the red handle and push away. It releases smoothly from the maillon, no hang ups so far.

Armstrong waist leash