I have noticed that flat water and down wind paddlers often wear their leashes attached at the waist. Does anyone use this set up in the surf? The reason I ask is I sustained a nasty injury to my right knee about when surfing 10years ago and it's never really come right. I'm having it x-rayed for arthritis. I find being dragged along by a leash in the surf agravates the knee. I actually wonder how much stress we put on our knee using leashes on bigger boards like sups and mals, my injury occured after 10 years of riding mals.
Also can anyone recommend a good shop in Sydney that would sell a waist leash, I'm visiting my daughter who lives in Glebe in a couple of weeks.
Cheers
They're a good idea and often used by big wave surfers and white water paddlers.. (and the odd DWer)
Pretty sure you can't buy them and you need to make something yourself..
I got a coil version and a straight version from Badfish SUP who are river surf specialists. Their leashes have a quick release mechanism which is essential for white water rapids, but would also be handy on a surf break over a reef I imagine. Badfish will send to Australia.
hey I read a few posts on standupzone.com and with a similar situation - right hip operation meant I was using a leggie on my left (front) foot, so I purchased a waist belt from supposition, cost USD $40 to get it here ($20 to buy, $20 post). does help the leg pull issue (and avoid leggie on front leg which can get in the way) but you look like a complete dick! just something else for the prones to bag me about I guess. i wear it some times and not others... lots of talk about how they are better in very big waves for large craft like sups... you can email Ralph from supposition here if you are interested (or make one up yourself, there is no magic involved...). Ralph Bill <sup.position.com@gmail.com>
I had Balin make me a leash that has a rail/tail saver at each end so I can attach one end to a belt.
Leashlok waist attachment on Trademe www.trademe.co.nz/sports/surfing/stand-up-paddle-boards/auction-882490726.htm
These are surf ski specific, but there may be an option for a longer leash.
www.fitnesslifestyle.com.au/safety-products/xm-surfmore/pages/calf-and-body-leash.html
Thanks t457118, where did you get a handle like that?, I'll give one of those a try. I was going to try using the wading belt from my trout waders. Hey Dools having had teenage daughters I am immune from being told I look like, act like, are a complete dick 
Anyway if those proners get too smart I can always dong them my paddle. Thanks guys.
Select to expand quoteCharlieF said..
Thanks t457118, where did you get a handle like that?, I'll give one of those a try. I was going to try using the wading belt from my trout waders. Hey Dools having had teenage daughters I am immune from being told I look like, act like, are a complete dick Anyway if those proners get too smart I can always dong them my paddle. Thanks guys.
- - If you have not knocked them out by releasing your waist attached leash first. But then... you ought to consider how long your leash is going to be - as your current leash is probably going to result in your board taking you out before too long. Just stay out of the line up thanks!
Ignoring the previous constructive comments, I have just ordered direct from Leashlock via leashlok @ gmail.com. I decided to get their belt and matching leash (with their key) so it would all work together for USD$53.16 plus tracked shipping costs of $35.
My theory is that if I am in bigger waves it may be safer for all concerned if my legrope/leash is attached to a waist belt instead of my ankle (or just below my knee where I normally attach it).
There was a great discussion on standupzone.com but I can't find it - people said they had shorter hold-downs, less drag, less injury to legs and hands, and other benefits.
I am going to give it ago and I will write a review after I have tried it in bigger surf.
Hi cantSUPenough I ordered the same system off Trademe last night, belt and leash for NZ$130, will try it this weekend. Yes it appears metaphor is lost on some people, I have no intention of donging anyone with my paddle, in fact what I love about SUPs is that I can paddle away from the crowd and find my own little peak.
Surfaids byron bay will make a Velcro waist band and coil leash custom all up for about $60 if I remember correctly
Thread one of these through your ankle attachment on a leg rope and you'll achieve the same for a lot cheaper I reckon:
www.hartsport.co.nz/page-not-found?r=%2fsport%2frugby-league-union-equipment%2frippa-rugby%2fhart-rippa-tag-belt
Select to expand quoteCharlieF said..
Hi cantSUPenough I ordered the same system off Trademe last night, belt and leash for NZ$130, will try it this weekend. Yes it appears metaphor is lost on some people, I have no intention of donging anyone with my paddle, in fact what I love about SUPs is that I can paddle away from the crowd and find my own little peak.
Agreed. And the idea is not to have an easier way to release the board irresponsibly, but to be able to survive the close-out with knees, ankles, and fingers intact - and lungs filled with air and not water - while still attached to the board. Although not common, I had a trip to Sumatra a few years ago (on a mal), and in addition to some heavy hold-downs, three times I had the leash caught on the reef and I was pretty desperate to release the board because I struggled against the surge to reach the ankle release.
Hi Guys,
Just ordered one from Surfaid at Byron Bay. Purchase price including delivery to Central Coast NSW was $22.50. @ccarter, big thanks mate for the referral.
Ozzie
Are You guys taking the piss
at anytime in this brainwave idea , did you think about looking like a dick.
Select to expand quoteCobra said..
Are You guys taking the piss
at anytime in this brainwave idea , did you think about looking like a dick.
Oh for christ sake Cobra get a grip, I'm a grandfather, looking cool is the last thing on my agenda, bit late for that 
Select to expand quoteCobra said..
Are You guys taking the piss
at anytime in this brainwave idea , did you think about looking like a dick.
Nope... and Nope! Nor other issues! 
Select to expand quoteCobra said..
Are You guys taking the piss
at anytime in this brainwave idea , did you think about looking like a dick.
If the surf is big enough, I will take looking like a dick over injury any time.
Just taking the piss boys...I look forward to seeing you in the water with your waist leggie on,,or on the beach in your sandals and socks
Had a couple of mates use dive belt and the leggie attached of that ............they had some reason hip knee problem ?????
Could Not think of anything more dangerous and fked , being skull dragged backwards or forwards and tumbled over a reef from your hip
..............thanks but no thanks ...............enjoy not 
Here is the thread - I think there is another one that discussed it in more detail.
www.standupzone.com/forum/index.php/topic,17298.0.html
A few guys have tried them and there is a photo of three big wave surfers wearing them. At least one person on the thread was not happy with them - concerned about getting the leash wrapped around his neck. Does sound nasty...
Nah still not convinced rather have an busted knee than a broken back or internal injuries...ever seen what happens when someones wearing a lap belt in even a minor car crash?
Karla Gilbert uses a waist leash in Technical/BOP races with a Race SUP, so not sure what all the concern is about using a waist leash with a Surf SUP.
Received my waist leash from SurfAid today. Will try and post photos tonight so you get an idea of what they do. Cost was $22.50.
Cheers Ozzie
