Surfskier Death Due to Failed Leg Leash

anonymous@undisclosed.example.com (Anonymous) — Tue, 18 Nov 2025 15:28:52 +0000

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	I am writing all of you to let you know that a surfskier died in Minnesota on Friday. I was one of the four people that was paddling with him that day. I am attaching the description (follows below) of the days events that I previously wrote up as an announcement to the Minnesota community. Most paddlers here are marathon canoe racers, so the description is written to them rather than to experienced surf ski paddlers. The bottom line is that he died because the velcro wrap that attaches the leg leash to the ankle failed, and he was left in big seas without a boat. He had an expert paddler next to him at the time, but the nature of our gear is such that in big waves we are not able to help each other effectively.		I am writing all of you to let you know that a surfskier died in Minnesota on Friday. I was one of the four people that was paddling with him that day. I am attaching the description (follows below) of the days events that I previously wrote up as an announcement to the Minnesota community. Most paddlers here are marathon canoe racers, so the description is written to them rather than to experienced surf ski paddlers. The bottom line is that he died because the velcro wrap that attaches the leg leash to the ankle failed, and he was left in big seas without a boat. He had an expert paddler next to him at the time, but the nature of our gear is such that in big waves we are not able to help each other effectively.

-	There are many things that need to change about our equipment. Our lives depend on a wrap of velcro around our leg. That is insanely stupid but we all do it. There is a paddler here in Minnesota that wears two leg leashes going to the same leg. That is not paranoid; that is smart. Most boats have no way to attach a tow line, and none of us carry tow lines. That means that if someone loses their boat, you might be able to paddle after it but you'll never be able to bring it back to them. I plan to do end pours on my v12 and drill holes to attach a tow rope. I am going to modify a sea kayak tow rope so that it will have an industrial strength suction cup on the end in place of the carabiner. That way I will be able to tow any boat, even if there is no tie down point on the bow. I never used to carry flares or a strobe light on me, but that will change. I used to keep my marine radio and cell phone on my boat rather than in my PFD. That has to change too.	+	There are many things that need to change about our equipment. Our lives depend on a [[:safety_leashes#velcro\|wrap of velcro]] around our leg. That is insanely stupid but we all do it. There is a paddler here in Minnesota that wears two leg leashes going to the same leg. That is not paranoid; that is smart. Most boats have no way to attach a tow line, and none of us carry tow lines. That means that if someone loses their boat, you might be able to paddle after it but you'll never be able to bring it back to them. I plan to do end pours on my v12 and drill holes to attach a tow rope. I am going to modify a sea kayak tow rope so that it will have an industrial strength suction cup on the end in place of the carabiner. That way I will be able to tow any boat, even if there is no tie down point on the bow. I never used to carry flares or a strobe light on me, but that will change. I used to keep my marine radio and cell phone on my boat rather than in my PFD. That has to change too.

	To appreciate the story I should explain to you [[:mille_lacs_lake\|]]. It is a lake in central Minnesota that is essentially a circle 15 miles across. It is a surf skiers dream. A road goes around the lake, so whatever direction the wind is blowing there is a perfect 15 mile downwinder to do. On windy days 8 foot waves are common.		To appreciate the story I should explain to you [[:mille_lacs_lake\|]]. It is a lake in central Minnesota that is essentially a circle 15 miles across. It is a surf skiers dream. A road goes around the lake, so whatever direction the wind is blowing there is a perfect 15 mile downwinder to do. On windy days 8 foot waves are common.

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Surfskier Death Due to Failed Leg Leash