Surfboard leash
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
A surfboard leash is the cord that attaches a surfboard to the surfer. It is used to keep a surfboard from being swept away by waves and prevent runaway boards from hitting other surfers and swimmers.
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[edit] Overview
Modern surfboard leashes are comprised of a urethane cord. At one end of the cord, a band with a velcro strap attaches to the surfer's rear foot. At the opposite end of the cord, another velcro strap is tied to an attachment on the tail end of a surfboard.
[edit] History
Prior to 1971, surfers who lost their boards on waves had to do a lot of swimming to retrieve them. Runaway boards were an inconvenience to the surfer, and a danger to other surfers. Potential damage also occurred when loose boards collided with rocks on the shore.
Santa Cruz resident Pat O'neill (son of the legendary Jack O'Neill, inventor of the O'Neill Wetsuit) is credited as the inventor of the surf leash. His first designs consisted of surgical cord attached to a board with a suction cup.
At the 1971 Malibu International surf competition, Pat offered leashes to his competitors in the event. In return, Pat was disqualified from the event for wearing his leash, dubbed a "kook cord" by those at the event. Over the next year, the leash would become a ubiquitous tool in the surfing world.
Pat's father, Jack O'Neill, lost his left eye due to a surf leash. Specifically, the surgical tubing used in the early designs allowed the leash to stretch too far, and the surfboard would come flying back towards the surfer. Apparently, this is what happened to Jack. Subsequent cords were made with less stetchable materials such as bungee cords.
Today, surf cords are made with urethane.
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[edit] Controversy
Surf leashes are still the source of some controversy in the water today. While leashes are now accepted as a mandatory tool for shortboarders, many longboarders refuse to wear leashes, claiming it infereres with their ability to walk up and down the board. At crowded surf spots with large waves, many (if not most) argue that the freedom to not wear a leash is secondary in consideration to the safety of others.
