Here's a 2cts worth piece of advice after seeing someone take unnecessary risks on the beach the other day.

A (surf)board leash, should be avoided whenever possible as it significantly increases the risks of getting the board to hit you, usually in the head. Or getting the leash wrapped in your lines.
There are cases however where a leash makes sense, riding in a channel with outgoing rips, challenging waves with sketchy downwind exit, etc...

Riding a steady light tiny onshore mush in a wide open Canterbury beach is not one of those cases. Losing the board just means bodydragging 100m to the shore, at the very most.

If you have to wear a leash, wearing a helmet is a way to mitigate some of the risks of impact with the board.

But most importantly, and it should be very obvious, ONLY PUT YOUR leash at the very LAST moment, just when you're ready to enter the water. Don't wear your leash while you walk any significant length on the beach: trip on the leash, lose balance, stupid pull on the bar, game over.

Don't attach your leash before attempting to self-launch your kite . Two hands on the bar, one foot attached to its surf anchor and here we go ... That's insane, as it completely restricts you from taking a few steps around to control the kite during the launch.

End of the rant... Use a dose of common sense and keep if safe.

freedom of choice but know this....


this was a result of a leash (reel leash- used to be advertised as the safe alternative to a normal surf leash!) about a year ago poor girl.. i know of at least 4 riders with large scars at the base of their head from the early day of kiting -