There are numerous stories about incidents both disastrous and fortunately survived where velcro in a leash failed. Velcro that is old and/or dirty can have significantly reduced holding strength. Another problem with velcro is that it may not re-stick nearly as well once it is wet. Velcro that is in good shape and clean when stuck together dry has a general reputation for reliably keeping its bond after getting wet. But velcro that is already wet before fastening may have less holding strength (this needs some testing - how much does velcro age and condition factor in with reduced holding when connecting already wet velcro??). If a leash gets tangled or for some other reason on the water has to have wet velcro unfastened, once the velcro is refastened the leash may be less secure than when it was first fastened for a paddle outing. But one definite rule is don't rely on older, worn velcro.

• Leash Velcro Reliability And 40 mph Fronts 1/04/2009
• Mille Lacs Minnesota Fatality - Failed Leash 10/09/2011
• Gorge Velcro Release 7/6/2020
• 2024 Velcro Failure Tawhiti Rahi Race New Zealand

Apologies to the makers and users of leashes of this type where the coiled section is just a solid plastic, but we do not like them. We have seen numerous instances where the plastic failed. If you use this type of leash you might seriously consider replacements on a regular basis. The biggest weakness seems to be where the ends of the plastic are joined to something different. Often such junctions are covered by something like shrink wrap. If you simply cut that covering off, you will at least be able to monitor those connections for signs of fatigue. This surfski.info thread has photos of several failed plastic leashes.

There are reports on surfski web sites of various quick release mechanisms releasing on their own. It is not always clear whether the problem was not being clipped in properly to begin with or actual random release due to pressure or torque that came from something other than the paddler's hands. But failure due to a design that leads to operator error is just as bad as outright failure of the mechanism. So we strongly advise you to consider using release mechanisms that are more robust, like locking carabiners or belts with strong, reliable release buckles. Also, metal release clips and carabiner gates can become stiff over time (which can interfere with full closure), but a little WD40 and repeated open/close actions can eliminate such resistance.

• Facebook discussion about quick release failure during a paddle (includes link to newer Vaikobi leash design which reportedly has a better quick release not subject to “back release”)
• Facebook video showing how easily one quick release design can release on its own: Too Quick Release

FlickOff Quick Release - we do not have experience or reviews of this waist leash. But if you paddle in conditions where you may need a very simple, very quick release of your leash, you may want to investigate these leashes.

Leg leashes use a wrap that usually goes around your lower leg just below your knee, typically secured with velcro. The other end typically uses a leash anchor built into the ski under your legs or possibly attaches to your foot straps (but see comments about foot strap attachment corrosion),or sometimes surfskiers attach them on the bow - e.g. to a front handle - affording the same benefit of aligning the ski with the wind during a huli (as rear anchors described below in the waist leash section also cause skis to align). On many leashes this end of the leash may be velcro too. But it can also be something stronger, like a locking carabiner, or a sewn-in loop of spectra. In respect to wet velcro making weaker reconnections, leg leash designs that allow you to unhook from your leg wrap without disconnecting the velcro may be superior to those that require leg wrap velcro separation, but beware quick releases that can self-disconnect.

• Meta non-velcro leg leash (do your own testing, but our impression is that these buckles are strong and do not disengage if pressure is applied to only one side of the buckle). Note, though, that this leash, as is, also includes one of the suspect quick release clips. But using that quick release clip is unnecessary and can easily be removed. You can replace that connection with a simple strong loop, and you don't really need another quick release in addition to the leg wrap buckle anyway, do you?

• Leg leash leg cuff with quick release (the quick release clip is a permanent feature, so you may be able to go around it to use some other kind of connector or release, but the clip will remain unless you (carefully) grind or dremel it off) See warnings above about back release of this kind of quick release clip!

• Vaikobi leg cuff leash with another quick release carabiner - reportedly not subject to back release (do your own testing!)

• NorthShore sells the leash part (4' and (5' or 6'?)) of their kitesurfing waist leash (no plastic, no metal, just strong tubular webbing/bungee with spectra running through the bungee and sewn into loops at the ends). You would then have the main part of a leg leash that will not break or have any unseen weaknesses. You will just have to add a leg cuff. (okay, you can't see all of the end loop internal sewing, but these things are battle tested by kite surfers and we are unaware of any failures, ever. If you take bad care of them, then yes, you should replace them on a schedule that weighs their condition. Repurpose the old leash for something less critical. And we recommend replacing all leashes eventually simply due to age, or any signs of weakness or significant wear).

As an alternative to the leg leash, some assemble a leash that attaches to a belt around the paddler's waist with a line that runs/attaches behind them. Some attach to existing or added mounting holes or pads directly behind their seats while others attach to a line that stretches between the stern handle and the storage straps on the back deck, while others just have a long leash that connects near the stern end. The preference for an attachment running all the way to the stern is based at least in part on preferring a surfski to line up parallel with the wind after a dump in big conditions in preparation for your remount. A sidewise remount from the upwind side works well in all conditions, given adequate remount technique and practice, although it is possible that the surfski may need to be turned or swum under in order for the paddler to get to the upwind side after a “huli”¹⁾ . Having the ski line up downwind after a fall can make it easier to turn the ski for an upwind mount without having the leash wrapped around the boat. It also presents the narrowest aspect of the boat to the wind thus decreasing the likely pull of the boat against the paddler and their boat leash. (For what it is worth, we have heard of at least one rare incident where a built-in leash anchor failed and was pulled loose by a leg leash in a particularly strong huli.) The back end of these stern lines is typically placed behind the rudder so that a rolling surfski is less likely to catch and wrap your leash with the rudder.

• Limitations on Rear Leashes
  • In general, rear leashes will work better with clean rear decks.
  • One potential limitation with a rear leash setup is interference between it and a rear deck mounted camera.
  • We also have reports of hulis with a rear leash catching and popping out rear drainage plugs on Kai Wa'a surfskis.
    • One solution to the rear leash/rear drain plug issue is to add a front hole as this paddler has done - surfski.info post with photos
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SUP oriented 2022 video on waist belts and quick release leash options

If you employ a waist belt for your leash/body connection, make sure you have a low enough profile buckle so that it does not interfere with remounts or catch and come open during remounts. Some folks also remove the balls sometimes attached to such buckles - to minimize inadvertant opening if caught on something - beveling the buckle lever edge corners also can reduce the likelihood of catching and opening during a remount. Side squeeze buckles like the one on the Meta belt seem less likely to experience a catching release, but judge, test, and make your own decision. Some waist belt users recommend keeping the belt somewhat loose, so that if you rotate in the water the belt can slip instead of causing your leash to wrap around you.

Note also that many surfskis do not come with any mounting points behind the seat or if mounting points are there all they have is bungie tied to those points. When renting or borrowing a surfski you may need an alternative leg leash when such a surfski has no adequate anchor behind the seat for a waist leash.

• Example Waist Belt and Leash on surfski.info - this is basically the Northshore kitesurfing leash (see below) with a strip of bungee for holding a paddle sewn into it.
• Foil Board Wing Waist Leash Looks versatile, comfortable (no reviews). Foil Board says the waist belt can be used with a board leash so it should be plenty strong (specs definitely sound so). The wing leash component description makes it sound strong enough also (length??), but we need to get a closer look. Reviews anyone? We've only seen these available from UK shops so shipping outside of the UK is expensive.
• Meta Waist Belt with side squeeze buckle release
• Nelo Surfski Leash Magnetic (we don't have any experience or reviews of this leash, how strong is the stretch/bungie part and does it have a stronger inner core?)
  • video with Oscar
• Northshore Quick Release Belt w/ Leash - these are sold with 4' and 6' leashes
• Northwater Quick Release Safety Belt
• Power Clip - review? there is velcro in the waist belt closure and in the leg wrap
• MTI waist belt

Another non-leg attachment alternative is to attach your leash to your life jacket. With this setup, make sure it is reliably sturdy. It can have more than one point of attachment for security. Or you can sew a particularly strong attachment point to your pfd for this purpose.

• SeaArc website relatively new leash systems (circa 2023-24?) that can combine a vest that goes inside of your PFD with multiple points of attachment. Their leashes can also be attached to your person in the other typical ways (you provide the leg or waist belt instead of using their PFD vest). Although these leashes look quite robust and well engineered we do not have a lot of feedback currently on them.
  • Footplate Rail Attachment
  • Rear Deck Mount System
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A paddle leash can prevent you from losing your paddle when you flip, accidentally lose your grip on your paddle, or want to let go of your paddle to free up you hands. They are easy to make with a piece of cord and a carabiner. Simply tie a loop in one end for the paddle and tie the other end to the carabiner. Attach the carabiner to your pfd. Make this leash long enough to not interfere with your paddle stroke, but no longer. Some paddlers wear a very short leash from wrist to paddle. « NOTE » If you use a wrist leash you may be limiting which side you can easily remount on (See remounts) unless you have a quick release on the wrist leash (which will diminish your paddle security during a remount) - (the most common remount techniques involve holding the paddle with only one hand). Many paddlers only employ a paddle leash in higher winds when the wind significantly increases its ability to take a paddle far away in a moment of inattention, distraction, or flipped surfski. Carefully gauge how much risk you would be in if you lose your paddle. Some conditions may allow prone paddling if you still have your ski, while big enough conditions may make any kind of headway without a paddle difficult or impossible. Having a paddle leash also makes it much easier or just possible to use both hands temporarily for an occasional circumstance when needed such as adjusting/fixing something on your ski, or needing to call with a phone or radio.

• Discussion
  • 2016
  • 2019
• Brands
  • Sea to Summit Paddle Leash
  • North Water Paddle Leash
  • Mocke Wrist Leash
  • Ocean Paddlesports Wrist Leash

Billy B's Leash System this is non-elastic leash system that secures the paddler and paddle to their surfski. It is easy to inspect for any wear or damage and employs no velcro.

• Comments on Billy B Leash
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