Wing board leash

Generalities

Wingboard leashes are designed to be used with all our foil boards.

This accessory will offer you a sense of security and comfort.

Discover our selection of robust and durable leashes from GONG, Creatures of Leisure and DAKINE.

Is it important to use a leash ?

Leashes are mandatory because they connect you to an unsinkable object. Like a lifebuoy, it’s a key element for your safety.

Put the odds in your favor when riding : it is extremely difficult to swim behind your board with your wing, especially when the board is carried away by swell, current and wind.

Your board and foil can be dangerous for others when you fall or return to the beach, so it’s essential to keep control of them with the leash.

Your board and foil will also thank you for wearing a leash, especially when waves break on reefs or rocks.

A leash must be changed every year, or at the slightest visible flaw. Inspect it regularly and do not let it deteriorate.

What types of leash ?

There are 3 possible attachment systems for your leash. A surf style attachment, directly on the ankle, a second, less cumbersome one on the waist and the last one,  with a “quick release” system for use with a harness. You will choose one model or another depending on your priorities.

Why use an ankle leash ?

The ankle leash is historically the leash which was the most used at the beginning of wingfoiling, because there was nothing better.  This is a choice which remains interessant if you like to ride toeside and never switch feet. Because although the ankle leash fulfills its function very well by connecting you to your board, there are several disadvantages:

• It is more cumbersome on the deck when starting and during certain maneuvers ;
• It gets caught more easily in the foil when you’re in the water ;
• It generates drag during flight ;
• It’s less accessible if you have to release it quickly.

Why use a belt leash?

The days when the leash drags in the water and gets caught in the foil are over. Gain in comfort and sensations with our belt leashes.

A classic ankle leash tends to get caught in the legs or even the toes, and you lose the quality of your support when you step on it. This is the advantage of our leash belts: you’re connected behind your back, and as long as the leash is correctly positioned at the beginning, it will not bother you while riding.

With a belt, you have your leash close at hand, making it easier to catch up with your board, especially when you need to be fast like when passing a shore break.

The belt is closed by a long Velcro strap with a large buckle. This safety feature is integrated into the Velcro for easy release, whether in a difficult situation or simply on the shore when arriving at the beach.

Why use a quick release leash ?

For those riding with a harness, this is the must-have leash that makes the session easier and allows quick release in tricky situations.

What type of leash to choose for your board?

We offer two types of rope with our leashes. The perf leashes (straight) or the coiled leashes (telephone) :

The perf leash

The perf leashes, with a straight cord, look more like traditional surf leashes.

In surfing, the main advantage is that the board will return less powerfully than with a coiled leash and a spring effect, thus avoiding injury when the board gets caught in a wave.

In freestyle, you have to fall to progress, and sometimes even eject from the board to avoid falling back onto it. So you need a leash that’s solid but leaves a minimum of freedom.

This is the model we recommend for beginners because if you fall, this is the model that will put the most distance between you and your board.

The coiled leash

The rope of coiled leashes has the shape of a spiral like a telephone cord, to gain comfort. It is a must have for all your sessions.

We offer these leashes so that they stay in the air and don’t drag in the water. It also means you don’t get your feet tangled up and stuck when you should not be.

This is the leash you need in freeride.

Using this type of leash is not recommended in waves because the rope quickly tangles on itself when subjected to repeated strong pulls.

Fixed or adjustable leash belt ?

The advantage of a fixed leash is that it adjusts perfectly to your size. It’s tailor-made.The fixed leash is the best choice for smaller people.

The advantage of an adjustable leash is that thanks to the Velcro attachment system, it adapts to all morphologies. This type of system is also perfect for switching and sharing equipment if you have different body sizes.

Which leash length ?

• Belt leashes :

The  GONG LEASH BELT PERF 7MM  and its adjustable version are available in two lengths. Choose the 5’0 for boards under 5’5 and 6’0 for boards over 5’5.

The 8’ GONG LEASH BELT ADJUSTABLE COILED 7MM is suitable for all boards.

The GONG LEASH BELT COILED 7MM and its 8′ adjustable version is suitable for all boards.

• The Quick Release leashes :

The GONG QUICK RELEASE LEASH is available in 3 sizes: 5’ for boards under 5’5, 6’ for boards from 5’5 until 6’5 and 8’ for boards over 6’5 and for all boards in strong wind conditions to keep the board away in the event of a violent fall.

The GONG QUICK RELEASE COILED LEASH 8’  is suitable for all boards.

Which belt leash size to choose ?

Waist measurements are taken above the hips, below the ribs, at the narrowest point. Place your tape measure around your waist. Stand up straight and breathe normally (don’t inflate or pull in your stomach).

You can find our size chart table on the product page of our website to help you in your choice :

If you are between two sizes, we recommend to choose the larger size.

How to properly attach your leash?

Let’s begin with a clarification. No matter how experienced you are, read carefully the user guide of your gear. If you’re not used to doing this, you will probably learn a bit too late and at your expense that there is a right and a wrong way to attache your leash.

The wrong way has an irreversible effect on the rail of your tail. A loose cord or leash will cut through your board like a razor wire, resulting in a guaranteed visit to your favorite repair shop.

First, check the knot of the leash cord and tighten it perfectly. This knot is your safety guarantee !! Then, thread the loop of the cord through the leash plug to create two equal loops on each side of the metal clip. Beware: the lark’s head on the leash plug is not a good alternative to this technique, as it lengthens the cord too much and risks damaging your board’s rail. Note also that a knot that is wet and has pulled will be much harder to untie.

Pass your leash strap through the two loops formed by the cord.

Close the Velcro securely. The two strands of cord must pass through the fold in the strap.  This part of the leash is called the rail saver, and it’s this part that should rub against the tail of your board, not the cord.

If you’re using an inflatable GONG board, a stainless steel ring allows you to attach the rail saver directly to your board. It’s important never to use the cord on an inflatable board, for the same reason you shouldn’t extend the cord unnecessarily on a rigid board.

How to customize your leash ?

We offer you the GONG HOOK FOR LEASH BELT.

This hook will be perfect for your first harness sessions, and is super simple to use. Just slip it onto your leash belt and off you go.

The shape has been designed to make hooking and unhooking from the harness line as easy as possible. A beginner will be able to use it as soon as he knows how to tack. You don’t need to be a pro, but you will still need to master and control the flying phase perfectly, so as not to fall into the sail with the hook, at the risk of piercing it.

This little accessory will boost your progression in an obvious way: less energy spent to just sail and therefore more energy available for the taking off phases and the transition phases which are the key to your progression. This will extend the duration of your sessions.

The design also allows the hook to slide on your side. This will be super useful if you have to paddle lying on the board, to get past the whitewater for instance or just to get away from the shore. It’s also useful when climbing on your board. It’s very simple and intuitive to use.

How to check your leash ?

It is important to regularly check your leash to detect a crack, cut or lack of elasticity. At the slightest sign of damage, it is important to change your leash to avoid any accident.

A leash must be changed every year, or at the slightest visible fault.

How to maintain your leash ?

Once you get home, the first thing to do is rinse it with fresh water. The salinity of seawater will attack materials such as the velcro, as well as the swivels (metal parts which connect the rope to the attachment system).

When to replace your leash ?

On the vast majority of leashes, the rope is made of Urethane. As this material is sensitive to UV rays, it is best not to leave it in the sun for too long.

A leash deteriorates rapidly, despite appearances, and should be renewed at least once a year.

When subjected to intense stress, any leash deforms. These repeated stresses and deformations will cause the leash to lose its elasticity, and will ultimately lead to its breakage. So even if it visually appears to be in good condition, consider changing it if it shows signs of stretching.

Replace it at the first signs of wear. This could be: worn hook and loop or micro cuts in the rope. It’s about your safety, that of those around you, and the durability of your wing.