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.