There are two schools of thought – or two different debates – when it comes to surfing. One: Longboarding or shortboarding? 
Longboarding is better. That one’s easy. Moving on to the second: Leash or No Leash? I thought I’d cast my vote in this debate (er, school of thought), since the first one is an open-and-closed case…right?
Here’s what I say: if you are a longboarder who does helicopters or spins on your board nonstop, then I could see where a leash would get in the way. And props to you. Or a shortboarder looking to be the first to do a kickflip on a wave, then again, props to you.
However, I think most surfers should use leashes. Yeah, sometimes it’s like you are trolling for seaweed – but Hell, you barely feel the leash and it could save some serious gashes. I’ve seen more than a few surfers paddling back to shore to recover a board that rode solo on a wave. Oh, and I’d like to keep all of my teeth.
I vote for the leash – just in case.
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I come from Jax beach FLA. A lot of the crew i surf with would say no leash. It gets in the way and it dose drag. If you know how to surf you can keep your board with you. So i vote no leash.
Few.
two weeks ago i got hit in the back by a guy on a log with no leash. I saw it coming and turned away, but it still got me in the mid back. It’s still stiff. Leash em up, and don’t ditch your board!
First of all, I applaud your longboard advocacy. Because it’s just a fact — the log is simply more graceful.
Secondly, I vote for the leash. Unless your a master of the longboard — a Peter Cole type — you’re going to have to swim after that board. And while that might ultimately improve your skills, does anyone want to have to paddle all the way to shore on a big, sloppy day?
I vote leash to drowning any day.
I misspelled “you’re.” Sorry.
Longboarding is better? Are you kidding me? You’d prefer the board that an overweight grandpa could surf on over the one that requires real skill and talent? Good to know you’re a longboarding kook who can’t surf on a real board.
Pick the right tool for the right wave. I’ve seen more shortboarding kooks than longboarding kooks. No wait. Not true. But, loggin ain’t so bad.
Simple: if you’re by yourself, go without a leash, get those swimming muscles in shape.
Longboarding is better. There’s always something to ride. The ultimate board would be like a telescopic board of some sort…
You’re getting off topic..If you don’t like longboards don’t ride one!A leash can keep people in the shore area from getting hurt by your board, a good enough reason, in my opinion for the leash. Keeping your board off rocks and reef,less time swimming, more time surfing!S/Bird
i think leashes should be used when its busy and mushy for sure, for safety, but longboarding is so different without 1, much more fun and better, and longboard takes more skill than most single-minded shortboarders think!! its not just a big boat that anyone can ride, its skillfull ….cheers
There is no doubt in my mind that surfing without a leash DOES improve your surfing as far as shortboarding goes. Every move becomes more critical and from experience I tend to “stick” more things when surfing without a leash. And the shitty swim after the board just reminds you to keep your board under your feet next time.
First off the longboard vs. shortboard debate. Neither one is better than the other. They are both surfing, bottom line. You should be able to pick from your quiver and surf the conditions that present themselves in the ocean. Slow and mushy = Longboard. Fast and Hollow = Shortboard.
As far as the no leash goes. I think it is all about your skills. If you got the skills to go without a leash I say go for it. It is close to the difference between boardshorts and wearing a wetsuit. Going without a leash gives you more freedom to move around. You don’t have to worry about getting tangled up.
So if you are good enough go without a leash. But if you are like most people that surf. Get a leash and be safe!
Now go out and get a TRUNQ for all your surf gear. Check it out http://www.trunq.com
surfing with a leash is sex with a condom..
you can still do it, but it’s no where near as fun
i would vote no leash.. but who likes madly swimming after their favorite stick as it floats towards the rocks?
If there are other people in the lineup it’s irresponsible to not use a leash. Unless of course your really really good…
oh, and the same goes for super long leashes. Nothing more annoying than a longboarder with a super long leash mowing bailing and mowing down all the kids on the inside.
Leash or no leash, do what you are comfortable with. Most really good surfers ride both short and longboards, surfing is surfing
It’s a love/hate relationship.
I hate the fact that my leash has almost caused me to drown a couple of times.
I love that I don’t have waste time and effort swimming into shore to get my long or short board.
And I Quote Capt Rob from P.C. FL “Leashes are for dogs.”
The leash ruined surfing!!
Leash! Especially if you’ve only been surfing for 5 to 10 years, please don’t think you rip, and go leashless(unless you’re alone).
2nd: I have respect for very, very few longboarders. Most are wavehogs, and they’re boring as fuck to watch. Soul Arch, bro’!
WooHoo! I can do that on my short board, and who cares about hangin’ 10. Once again, boring to watch.
Longboard if you’re 60+, overweight, or just a summertime Zonie who surfs 3 months out of the year. And please stick to longboard spots. If you see a shortboarder, paddle away. He’s probably in better shape.
Surfing without a leash endangers everyone else in the water. “To be a man is, precisely, to be responsible.”
If you grew up longboarding you understand,Longboarding`s way more fun without leash, but it`s best to use them in crowds for other`s safety.
i think everyone has 1 or 2 good points , but anything under 2ft and your not a kook you realy dont need one.
plus it realy does improve your surfing by not being a lazy bastard. longboard , shortboard its not equipment but the attitude of the surfer theres wankers on both.
I’d like to distinguish the two types of Longboarders. (1)-there are the longboard guys who still rip,Floaters, barrels, cutbacks, etc. They also either used to rip on a short board or they still do, but now mostly prefer a longboard. These guys do not ride boards any longer than 9ft. Period. This brings me to (2)- The PADDLEBOARDERS. These are the fat old farts on boards 12-16ft and 5 inches thick. Sure, they can still catch a wave, but then what? Nothing, Slow and straight and stupid,. It’s these kooks that give longboarders a bad rap! We hate you! You fat paddleboard turd kooks!
Longboarders who are core and surf and rip are fine. It’s those giant paddleboard kooks that suck.
Use it or don’t. Do what you want. Why give a $hit what others think. There will be kooks to advanced surfers always. Call out an A-hole with out surf etiquette in the line up.
Put your damn leash on. Last year some d-bag kook was out on a longboard, collided with another surfer,lost his board and it found its mark on the top of my head. I tried to dive under it but it was dancing around in the whitewater and caught me underwater. put a damn leash on!!! I used to surf without a leash from time to time until my above mentioned attitude adjustment. now if I have no leash I no surf.
My longboard is 10ft and weighs about 25lbs. Since it has no leash loop, I’ve had no choice but to learn proper wave selection and to kick out early or hold onto my board orshould I hit a close out section.
Also, I definitely consider the crowd situation when I paddle out on my aircraft carrier-like board.
If there is a bunch of beginners out, I may consider another spot or another board. Not for my own incompetence but for the crowd’s.
The long vs short board debate is irrelevant. Let the conditions dictate what you ride.
Here’s an article describing in-detail why longboarders are lazy, greedy kooks.
http://www.cyrusisboard.com/2009/09/should-longboarders-be-defined-as.html
The next time I get hit or my board gets dinged by the loose board of an “expert surfer” I’ll probably sue them for damages. It’s only fair. Besides, my wife won’t let me break their board in half.
No leash teaches you to mind your board. Period. Going out without a leash in crowed kooky waters is dumb.
Board control and pulling out of a wave in control is what makes a great rider. Everyone looking to improve there skill set should take some long swims to shore to go get it. Just don’t do it on a crowded day or with people lined up on the inside. The freedom of no leash is cool. Out with a few of the boys… do it, work it out.
Then strap it up when the crowd comes.
If you rip you rip.. no matter the board?
Leash it unless you are alone, don’t mind chasing the board, and don’t mind the board getting shredded by rocks or reef. Don’t let your ego get in the way.
When it comes to longboard vs. shortboard, I say it mattters what the conditions are. If its hollow and big, I go with a shortboard, but when the days are small, I get my stoke by riding a log or fish. But when it comes to longboarder vs. shortboarder, I have to say I like watching a good longboarder more. I also hate the typical shortboarder mindset of making surfing competitive rather than fun.
I used to be a competitive shortboarder, and did all the NSSA high school competitions I could. My senior year of high school, I started surfing at longboard spots rather than shortboard spots, just to get away from a competitive surfing environment. It was hard getting respect from other guys, so I started surfing with no leash. That year I had the greatest surfing improvement. Unlike previous surfing experiences, I had to pay for falling on a wave. Surfing with no leash kept me more focused and taught me to surf correctly or pay the price. After that year, I moved away from competitions and switched to riding alternative boards, and never looked back.
If you want to have more stylish, controlled surfing, start wearing no leash. You will get better and will get more respect from others.
Wear a leash! Why not? It doesnt do that much to your surfing does it? And think of the positives! You save othe rpeople from getting hurt and you dont have to go swimming after your board AND your board doesnt get damaged by others or rocks… I surf @ margaret river WA and often there is exposed reef in areas and ironshore. A leash is essential. Kooks who dont wear them are plain stupid or they just ride 2ft mushies.
Wear a leash. I got hit by a board this weekend in Cardiff by a guy who claimed he was a good surfer and according to him “good surfers do not have to wear a leash”. His response to me was “are you ok” and “I have been surfing since I was 10″ and now at 30+ I cannot handle a 3′ wave. After a barage of expletives on my part he became the victim because he felt that asking “are you ok” is his only responsibility. If the area is crowded wear a leash no matter how good you are you could hurt someone.