The interesting subject resurfaced of a practical way for us to regain the use of both our hands for holding the board during wipeouts / punching through phases. It could be as significant for SUP as the invention of the leash for prone surfers...

Patrice Guenole (Gong shaper) invented the "paddle clip" but specifically put its design in the public domain... patents are against all that made humankind progress through the ages: sharing knowledge. Never tried it yet, out of laziness.

Some info here:
www.standupzone.com/forum/index.php?topic=3501.0 (pictures missing)
Some pictures here: jpaction.over-blog.com/article-30240067.html

Kami ("Kamille") has also designed his version here: www.gong-galaxy.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=13&t=3621

Cammar tried Patrice idea, and came up with a better velcro system mauisurfreport.blogspot.com/2010/08/ldp-lay-down-paddle-surfing.html

Another version by "headmount" with a bungee loop www.standupzone.com/forum/index.php?topic=19056.0

I must confess I didn't try (yet) any of these ideas (living in a land of weak waves, I dont often need it), did others had ideas/experience on this?

Great ideas, I like the loop attached to a web belt, worn outside of the wetsuit, which I will make and try.
I sure wish that Cammar would continue to keep up with his website Mauisurfreport.blogspot.com but, he's stuck on Facebook now, not a cool or rewarding place for us non-FB'ers.

Been doing something similar, mostly motivated by breaking my leash multiple times at a decent reef break with a long swim to shore.

All you need to do is get a small shark clip from a fishing store - the professional ones have heaps - or yachting chandlers. Use a loop and some hitches to tie it just under the handle. On an expensive paddle I would be putting some kind of tape under the setup. I then chuck some tape over it. If you need it, you can then clip it off to another loop on your boardshorts,.wetsuit or what is left of your leash.

Guessing though, a commercial product can be designed to be slim line, unobtrusive and permanent? A veloc setup similar to flipper savers might be ideal? This would also eliminate the need for another loop, making it more universal? (Running off to secure my patent!)

My concern has always been around the fact that leg ropes for sups tend to be much longer than traditional prone boards.

There are advantages and disadvantages to this. For me the real issue of a long leg rope has always been the potential for it
to wrap around your neck when you caught get in the washing machine which is why I defensively bring my hands up to block
my neck and face area. So for me, whilst I see benefit to the above suggestions, I can also see that the umbilical cord to freedom could constitute an even
bigger problem. That should not preclude the discussion from taking place but obviously the caveat is there.

I like better SupershaneA's idea hook on the shaft than mine which is the flipper's loop attached to the deck.GONG 'one is good too. But both ones are paddle dangling effect and mucking around the mess during be caught inside as Tang said.
Should replace the subject saying that trick is available on shortSUP able to be "duck dive".
Personally, i remember able to duck dive 7'6" 22", no much ; Already not the same deal than duck diving a 6' SB,
So my first goal would be a shortSUP as small as possible and then to clip the paddle.
Whatever you clip it

I see my starboard board shorts already have a loop in the pocket

that was probarly originally for a key,

but next time i have a swim in i will secure the paddle with that which will be way better than trying to stuff it down my shirt.

- i just tried the paddle in there and it was a perfect fit - stoked

prone paddling out, i have mostly been fine laying on the flat of the paddle.

( unless it gets extreme i suppose)