It’s been an interesting year, lots of new SUPers, SUP clubs and schools venturing out on the water, and established ones developing into new areas. One significant increase in uptake has been on our local inland waterways with individuals, canoe and SUP hire companies spreading their wings into SUP hire and guiding. The water has never been busier with paddlers.
As a result of this increased uptake, Water Skills Academy has received a constant number of calls and emails, requesting our advice and opinion on safety equipment and working environments. One of the most popular questions has been about leashes and their use.
Q: I’m SUPing or running sessions on a very slow moving river, what’s your opinion on leashes? Should we use them, and should we use quick release belts?
Many river canoe hire and canoe centres provide buoyancy aids and sometimes helmets to clients; they will follow a good practice code and have guides that are experienced and qualified. As a result, clients will wear this kit and receive good, safe instruction. So, why is it that we are asked the leash question so frequently?
Our response is always a simple one; how does the risk of wearing a leash outweigh the risk of not wearing a leash and do you know the options available if you are wearing one? A risk benefit analysis.
In addition to providing advice and helping providers, Water Skills Academy and our specialist trainers are also running sessions in river and tidal estuary environments.
This year, I was asked to train a paddler and then guide a SUP journey as part of a challenge. The training took place on a non-flowing waterway, affected by wind, with pontoons containing moored boats, the occasional buoy and bridge. We wore PFD’s as this was part of the local conditions and we also wore leashes. The leashes were coiled and the risk of entrapment or snagging was minimal to zero, therefore sensible to wear. The attachment point rather than a traditional ankle or knee cuff was connected to a quick release belt, this gave a further benefit to keep the leash cleanly out of the water. If we had fallen off our boards we would need to retrieve them as the water was deep and there was traffic on the river.
After several training sessions we stood in the car park next to the river Wye ready to head off on our challenge. We were wearing buoyancy aids, no helmets and no leashes. Knowing the section of river well, the risk of entanglement or entrapment was deemed a higher risk than not wearing them, and that if we fell off we could swim to the bank or board, simple risk / benefit analysis.
So, why not the quick release belt?
The quick release belt is not a cure all to entanglement and / or escape situations. When a leash is under any tension, a release technique still requires an element of skill to use it correctly. This is often overlooked as the media and some organisations seem to be promoting that QR belts should be worn at all times and that they are the solution to any entrapment issues a paddler might encounter. In addition to the correct training and practicing using a belt we would also highly recommend asking yourself, if there is a serious risk of entrapment should I be paddling at all?
Q: How do I attach a SUP leash correctly?
Coastal and Open Water
If there is no or a low risk entrapment, then a coiled or straight leash is suitable, it will be kept out of the water and can be connected to the ankle, knee or QR belt.
Estuaries / Marinas
There is a higher risk of leash entanglement in buoys, pontoons, jetties. Think, if there’s a snag, how can I release myself from my board? A coiled leash to QR belt (and training on to use it) and / or a PFD would be suitable in this environment.
Rivers (Not White Water)
There is a risk of snagging and entrapment, with a coiled leash and QR belt (and the training how to use it) and / or PFD would be suitable for the environment. If you do not have a coiled leash with a QR belt, it may not be suitable to connect yourself to the board. A PFD will give you floatation to move away from or swim back to your board should you be separated.
Surf
A straight leash connected to the ankle or knee is suitable in this environment. If we fall, a straight leash gives a safe distance from the paddler and board, and due to its straight construction does not recoil. A PFD may hinder the opportunity to dive under a wave and duck away from other water users and your board and it is advisory to not wear one.
White Water
White water is a specialist discipline and we advise seeking professional training and products designed specifically for white water use.
Leashes and PFD Webinar
Whilst we are happy to offer advice and help where we can, there is no substitute to good training that encompasses education in risk benefit analysis and awareness of all the disciplines and safety options we have at our disposal.