Author Topic: Should you use leashes on small rivers?  (Read 12003 times)

TallDude

  • Cortez Bank Status
  • *****
  • Posts: 5714
  • Capistrano Beach
    • View Profile
    • Email
Should you use leashes on small rivers?
« on: June 27, 2017, 09:59:25 AM »
Another leash caused drowning. An avid SUP paddler hit debris under the unusually high Truckee River water levels, and was held under by her leash. She was wearing a life-jacket. I'm sure cold water shock played a part as well.

http://www.tahoedailytribune.com/news/local/lake-tahoe-kayaker-recounts-near-death-experience-in-upper-truckee-river/?utm_source=boomtrain&utm_medium=newsletter&utm_campaign=monday-morning-report
It's not overhead to me!
8'8" L-41 ST and a whole pile of boards I rarely use.

deepmud

  • Peahi Status
  • *****
  • Posts: 744
    • View Profile
    • Email
Re: Should you use leashes on small rivers?
« Reply #1 on: June 27, 2017, 04:01:33 PM »
I have plans for the Little Susitna river here in Alaska this summer - and I WAS going to leash - but I've decided no. I have decided any river or creek that could submerge a board will not have a leash. A paddle board broadside to a sweeper would get pulled under - and could jam under a "comb" of branches right to the bottom. No whitewater required just a strong smooth current.  And if it's so slow as to not pull the board under maybe it's not going to run away from me anyway.

PonoBill

  • Cortez Bank Status
  • *****
  • Posts: 25864
    • View Profile
Re: Should you use leashes on small rivers?
« Reply #2 on: June 27, 2017, 04:14:19 PM »
Most serious whitewater paddlers either use a leash with a quick release--usually at the waist--or no leash. Wearing an ankle or calf leash in current is not a great idea.
Foote 10'4X34", SIC 17.5 V1 hollow and an EPS one in Hood River. Foote 9'0" x 31", L41 8'8", 18' Speedboard, etc. etc.

fredi

  • Waikiki Status
  • *
  • Posts: 25
    • View Profile
    • Email
Re: Should you use leashes on small rivers?
« Reply #3 on: June 28, 2017, 06:32:05 AM »
What I think:
- ankle leash, with or without quick release is suicide: the stream can prevent you to bend in order to reach your ankle
- waist leash with quick release manual + automatic is the standard on white waters. The think to check is that the waist belt don't go under the life jacket because in this case it would be unreachable. To prevent this I sew two loops on my life jacket to put the belt on. Automatic release can be performed by adjusting Velcros.
- no leash at all is a good solution in a lot of cases, excepted on river with current all the way, the board usually don't go very far

mr_proper

  • Rincon Status
  • ***
  • Posts: 201
    • View Profile
Re: Should you use leashes on small rivers?
« Reply #4 on: July 09, 2017, 10:41:59 PM »
I use a leash in WW, because I don't like to swim behind the board for a long time.  But my PFD has a quickrelease and the leash ist modified with two predetermined breaking points. One at the board side and one on the PFD side.
SIC RS 14x23, 2018
SIC RS 14x26, 2018
Lightcorp Signature Race 14x24.75, 2018 (sold)
JP Australia AdventurAir 12x36, 2017
Starboard Allstar 14x24.5, 2017 (sold)
SIC Bullet 14x27.25 TWC, 2015
Jimmy Lewis Sidewinder 14x25, 2016 (sold)
Sprint 14x23, 2015 (sold)
JL Stiletto 14x28, 2014 (sold)

Windwarrior

  • Sunset Status
  • ****
  • Posts: 275
    • View Profile
Re: Should you use leashes on small rivers?
« Reply #5 on: July 24, 2018, 03:40:16 PM »
I'm confused. If the leash has break away points how does it keep the board from floating away anyways??
Hala Carbon Hoss
#2? TBD!!

PonoBill

  • Cortez Bank Status
  • *****
  • Posts: 25864
    • View Profile
Re: Should you use leashes on small rivers?
« Reply #6 on: July 24, 2018, 06:51:29 PM »
Break points go at a pull greater than the typical strength required to retrieve the board. If the leash or board is snagged and you're being turned into a deep diving Rapala the pull is much greater and they pop so you don't kaack. Hopefully.
Foote 10'4X34", SIC 17.5 V1 hollow and an EPS one in Hood River. Foote 9'0" x 31", L41 8'8", 18' Speedboard, etc. etc.

 


* Recent Posts

SimplePortal 2.3.7 © 2008-2024, SimplePortal