So, i could not make this up... A guy was surfing on the other side of the jetty from me today... lost his finger,,, Here is the link: http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/2010/nov/13/surfer-loses-finger-accident/
haha Not to poke fun at the guy's misfortune, but when the newspaper said the finger was "lost to the sea" I almost died laughing. Hopefully the guy saves a copy of that and puts it on his wall so he can tell the grandkids some day.
That is like a 1 in a million scenerio. I mean, we can't even figure out a way that the leash could wrap around the finger, and then get pulled tight enough to do that. Maybe it was the end of th leash, and it was one of the metal connectors at the bottom or something... But in my experiences, even large waves will just shred those leashed like paper... So, I can't imagine what kind of leash or how the hell that happened... but yes, the lost at sea thing was sad but funny. It was like the a-hole who did the write up got a kick out of himself... But that is how the SD UT paper works. Terrible reporting. Misinformation. Extremely vague write-ups. No details...
i could totally see that happening. Especially if your riding a longboard or a large fishy. He probably grabbed the leash and tried to hold onto it and it wrapped around his finger. sucks.
that sucks. i can't imagine how this happened either. my leash tied my legs together before. it was pretty intense actually. by the time the wave let go of my board the leash was so tight i had to breast stroke up to the surface lol. i was under the water for a good minute. anybody else have any close calls with leashes
The leashes have just ripped across the top of my foot many times. My feet are all scarred up because of this. But I have never had a dangerous run in with leashes. To the contrary, the leash has completely failed me when I have needed it most. I have done everything I can in big surf. Buy a new leash. Use two hooks on the end. And still, you have to go under on a huge set wave, I go 10 feet down, then rip.... the leash snaps like its a pretzel... And they always break in the worst case scenerio. The wife though I died last time it happened. I was surfing alone in Baja, with her taking photos from the beach. I paddled out on what looked like a nice 2ft overhead day... When I got out, the sets started pumping, the water drained out and it was solid DOH beach break. When I finally took off on one, I pull into a giant closeout barrel, the leash snapped, I was fluddering around for 20 minutes swimming in. I ended up beaching myself about a mile north of where I lost the board.... So, I am not a big leash fan, but they certainly help on big days. The only time I really go leashless is when there mad seaweed out. You cant surf with a leash then... but I though NJ MD and VA all had 24/7 leash laws? Dont you guys "have" to if there are guards or cops there?
I'm not sure.In the summer time though if you don't have one you risk slamming some kid bobbing around in the inside section.
I usually wear a thicker leash(it looks pretty ridiculous tbh) on larger days, but in no way could imagine it cutting my finger off. I wear a thicker one since I have had many snap on me before, and even on normal chest-head high waves. I do notice it a bit more, but it actually gets tangled up a lot less than a usual leash. Have no idea where I bought it from as it is several years old but for those complaining about their leashes breaking you may want to look into it.
Most life guards dont really say anything about leashes unless your losing your board, or just look like a complete kook. I usually have a good time on this retro single fin circa 1970 without a leash plug. Good for the summer days, but thats when there are loads of bennies that will get hurt by a board flying on some whitewater
Leash laws are not really enforced anyplace is surf in the summer. As long as you know what you are doing and not a newb ditching your board then you pretty much get left alone.
I know that is true especially from Strathmire to Cape May. I usually do wear a leash unless I'm on a vintage board. No one has ever said a word to me about surfing with out one.
