To Leash or not to Leash.... That is the Question - Longboard Surfing

[@vanellanice593]

You are producing some solid content. Filming is spectacular and edits are on point. Keep up the the awesome work I really enjoy watching. Must have just missed you same people were in water when I was there

[@LongboardSessions]

Thanks so much! Haha yea I was out there from like 6-11. I was in and out of the water tho

[@caldogc8]

Learning different and powerful kick out methods and learning to do them quickly has helped me not lose my board when things get critical or people get in the way.

[@LongboardSessions]

Oh very interesting. I guess you kick your board out the back of the wave?

[@caldogc8]

@@LongboardSessions yeah like before a wave closes out or if I see I cant get around a paddler I just stomp on the tail and kick out

[@tylermorris5463]

its funny the differences, in san diego that would be uncrowded but we get lots of surfers who chill on the inside which cause many problems, love the vids man!

[@LongboardSessions]

Thanks Tyler! Yes considering other more famous spots, this is northing when it comes to crowd. I’m just not used to it 😂

[@noseridesnosedivessurfvlog8634]

Nice waves🤙🤙 being the novice I still am and surfing in mostly messy conditions I have only surfed with a leash... but am constantly untangling it even while just sitting out back waiting for my next wave🤙🤙... but like you say safety first

[@LongboardSessions]

Oh yea they can be so annoying sometimes. But yea, losing your board can be very bad lol

[@MSDATHKDAN]

I'm like Adam, it's annoying but I'm more worried about injuring someone else ...

[@jamesdiola4773]

Right on. Love that spot loch arbor/deal area.. 👍🏻

[@LongboardSessions]

Yea it’s awesome! I gotta start checking it more... maybe do some sunrise sessions to avoid the crowd

[@dperry9406]

Yeah Darlington was a great surf spot until they reconstructed the beach and ruined the break between Roseld and Marine

[@Powersfilms]

Nice neighborhood? Would you mind sharing where that area is? (If I had to guess, I would say Asbury Park, NJ). Keep up the solid work!

[@LongboardSessions]

You're close! This was deal I believe

[@yutumedia]

Great content! thank you for sharing!

[@LongboardSessions]

You got it! Thanks🤙

[@pastorharry2]

If you have to wear one, surf like you don't have one. Don't depend on it, complete the wave, don't jump off while paddling out or when you get in the soup. Surf with style, grace and control...cause dat's da goal ! Aloha

[@LongboardSessions]

Good point. Leashes often give people a false sense of security. One guy mentioned that a 10' board with a 10' leash still has 20' of travel to hit somebody

[@TenToesSurf]

agreed!

[@smelltheglove2038]

Ehh, I just jump off and let my giant nose rider go uncontrolled directly at the guys paddling back out. Who cares? I have a leash! Beginner logic that is partly the cause of localism that beginners hate so much, not realizing they’re the reason localized breaks are a thing.

[@dtc6915]

I have never surfed without a leash and I’ve always want it to give it a try. The other day I was trying out for the first time the retro fish board I made. I used a old 6ft leash for that 5’4 fish and at my last wave the lip of the wave hit me just when I stood up. Wen I swam to get the board I looked back and said: “I need to have a good last wave with it without a leash”. It felt good not having a leash but going after the board almost every time you catch a wave is not that fun😂😂 Love the content bro!

[@LongboardSessions]

Thanks! Haha yes it takes some getting used to for sure. It makes you surf much more conservatively. I don't think i would surf a shorter board without a leash though... it would prevent me from doing some more difficult maneuvers. In next weeks video i'll be testing out a new maneuver and will have a leash on so I can really get after it.

[@dtc6915]

Yeah, I probably won’t do it again 😂. Maybe I’ll try it with my 9’1 longboard (it’s a weird longboard because of the shape, but works fine in big and small surf). I’m more of a cruiser than maneuvers.

[@LongboardSessions]

@@dtc6915 Yea that's a good idea. Start no leash on smaller waves with a longboard and you'll start to see how it's possible to surf without a leash. I'll go the whole surf session without losing my board... If i lose it once or twice or i think things might be getting dangerous for other poeple, i'll throw it on

[@dtc6915]

Yeah maybe I’ll stick with the leash for now. Here in Puerto Rico is hard to find a “not crowded” spot. I don’t control my longboard very well when it comes to evading people. If I see to many people on the way I want to go I pull back and just wait for another opportunity we’re I can just ride the wave comfortably with a longboard

[@payton2232]

Surfed for a 5 hours the other day with some awesome condition and I was short boarding I was trying out cutbacks and other turn but I felt dead when i was done🤙🏽yew

[@LongboardSessions]

Dang 5 hours ! That’ll wipe you out haha

[@chriskpickens]

I've been trying to transition to no leash as well but a lot of the spots I surf are rocky so if i lose my board it's going to get dinged! 😬

[@LongboardSessions]

Dang there’s a point I missed haha. Yea I imagine rocks would scare me from no leash for sure

[@Codgerism]

If you fall and lose your board you should be wearing a legrope. If you can go a year without losing your board then you're ready to start going leashless.

[@jimscott525]

Sick video man I find wearing a leash makes me alot more confident to try different things and mean I dont have to worry how I finish the wave

[@LongboardSessions]

Yes exactly. I’ve learned to finish many more waves due to no leash, but I assume it’s hurt my progression on other techniques

[@ronbelanger8936]

Yup got hit by a guy surfing a LB no leash when he fell while dropping in. He had no leash.

[@LongboardSessions]

Ouch! Yep, if you are someone who falls dropping in, you’re not quite rdy to take the leash off

[@pedrojesuss]

Man i love your vídeos. Thanks for post

[@LongboardSessions]

Thanks Pedro! Glad you enjoy 🤙

[@ylana4444]

I use a calf leash and it never gets tangled even when cross stepping backwards

[@LongboardSessions]

Ugh mine does all the time. Using a leash takes practice just like not using one I think

[@mingmedia808]

You should make a video about dismounts because its a skill in its own. With/Without a leash you never want to be out of contact with the board. It makes you surf a lil more situational aware. A leash for a lot of people give them free reign to kick the board out which gives them bad habits in case of a leash snap. I had a situation at pops in waikiki (a long paddle from shore) head high cleanup set rolled though. Took a few on the head and about 10min almost drowning swim to get my board lol.

[@LongboardSessions]

oh dang!! Yea, letting your board go in a crowded spot is not good.. always have to be aware of what's behind you. I'll be doing a video on dismounts for sure. I actually have had quite a few people ask about that.. just want to perfect it on my own first

[@Christians1999]

Whats your take on calf leash vs ankle leash for longboarding

[@LongboardSessions]

Well I hate wearing a leash either way. Since I mostly surf without a leash, I really suck at leash management. I had to wear a leash when I surfed today cause it was a little big and it got tangled a bunch lol. I think calf is the way to go, but you have to practice making sure it's in the right position before taking a wave.

[@henrywalton5967]

Surfed for 7 hours the other day (in 2 sessions) with no leash and didn't get seperated from my board until the very end when a bomb came through and I tried to hang ten. Thankfully no one was near by, don't know where that set came from lol.

[@LongboardSessions]

Haha not bad! Even pros lose their boards sometimes.

[@henrywalton5967]

@@LongboardSessions yeah I thought I did alright haha. I've just got a new board and I'm kinda struggling with the noseriding even though it's a dedicated noserider 🤔 changed the fin today maybe that will help...

[@LongboardSessions]

I went through the exact same thing when I got my nose rider. I thought My cross stepping would dramatically improve overnight. Turns out that’s not the case.... cross stepping is just hard 🤷‍♂️

[@henrywalton5967]

@@LongboardSessions definitely, it feels more stable but I'm accelerating so damn fast that I'm way out on the shoulder. I think if I can move up the board quicker I could get a bit more drag. Practice makes perfect :)

[@LongboardSessions]

Try some faded takeoffs too. They really help control speed and board position

[@andrewsteavpack9079]

Wouldn’t a waist leash alleviate the getting your legs tangled issue?

[@LongboardSessions]

It helps, but doesn’t get rid of tangles completely. Just surfed the other day with a leash and had one tangle that ruined a wave. A lot of this comes down to my lack of leash experience. If I used them all the time I’d figure out techniques to prevent tangles I imagine

[@smelltheglove2038]

@@LongboardSessions nothing worse than leash between the toes. 100% anti leash, on longboards anyway. And most days on a short board as well.

[@oldtobyco9601]

Should I put my leash around my ankle or below the knee? Or even arm??

[@LongboardSessions]

I think below the knee is best. But it does come down to personal preference. Not the arm though.. that sounds like a disaster waiting to happen haha

[@oldtobyco9601]

@@LongboardSessions haha fair. Thank you for your reply. I was just a bit worried about twisting my knee/acl if the pull of the waves gets too strong but I’m sure it will be fine haha

[@LongboardSessions]

@@oldtobyco9601 oh I gotcha. Well I’d say test it out to feel the pressure on your knee. There is a little when the surf is big. If you think that’s a problem, put it on your ankle. Much less knee pressure with it there

[@LongboardSessions]

@@oldtobyco9601 I’d say as long as you’ve never had a previous knee injury you should be fine

[@oldtobyco9601]

@@LongboardSessions yeah, good call dude :) thanks, this vid was great by the way haha

[@middleagedshred]

I,d rather have a leash and not need one than need one and not have one

[@LongboardSessions]

Good point 👍

[@williamjoyner3768]

😮‍💨I keep my leash on because I can’t really swim that great and yet I have the nerve to risk my life to ride a wave 💀🥴

[@LongboardSessions]

haha! better safe than sorry. Maybe practice no leash on the small days

[@williamjoyner3768]

@@LongboardSessions 😂😂will do

[@SoCalSurfer69]

Calf or ankle

[@LongboardSessions]

I like calf better, but dont like either haha!

[@garylugg9860]

So when you hit some one with your board and you’re not wearing a leash I hope you’re happy to wear the lawsuit 👍👍

[@LongboardSessions]

What happens when you hit someone with your board while wearing a leash? Still a lawsuit or no...😉

[@garylugg9860]

@@LongboardSessions atleast with a leash showing you accept the responsibilities of surfing and the protection of others No leash and your longboard is 20 metres away smashing some one in the head … if that makes you feel good then sure accept the law suit then for your recklessness

[@shap7296]

Leash if it’s packed no leash everything else

[@LongboardSessions]

That's basically my motto as well 👍

[@smelltheglove2038]

Nothing worse than walking to the nose and having a leash stuck between your toes.

[@LongboardSessions]

ugh.. nothing annoys me more.

[@dperry9406]

Only hodads surf with a leash on

[@LongboardSessions]

lol!

[@dperry9406]

@@LongboardSessions that's my feeling... Unless it's like 10 foot + wearing a leash on a longboard is automatic - minus style points and annoying to say the least

[@4470greg]

Go talk to the poor sod who cops your board in the face.

[@dperry9406]

@@4470greg people need to stay with their boards and a ten foot leash still allows a lot of room for a board in the face and it’s also very difficult to trim on a 9’6”-10’6” board with a leash on. People need to be more careful, thoughtful, and aware of their surroundings and not be putting themselves and others in precarious situations. We don’t need more laws just more consideration and personal responsibility

[@4470greg]

@@dperry9406 Don’t know where you surf but where I surf, lost boards travel in to the shore break. When people get hit by those boards, all the respect in the world, all the attempts to stay with your board, all the beautiful ‘thoughts’ count for nothing when you then have stitches being inserted, broken nose or facial bones to recover from and the fact that you then carry a lifelong fear of the event being repeated.