Hydrofoil board leash

[TomW]

I see some foil boards have a leash plug on the nose of the board.
What us the purpose of this leash? I can't imagine having a leash from the nose to my leg.
That would be like putting a collar and leash on a great white shark and " going for a swim ".

[edt]

I use my hydrofoil board for regular surfing it has the mounts that let me put fins in. The best hydrofoils have none of this stuff, they don't want to add mounts because it adds weight, but I prefer a hydrofoil board that can by used for more than just one purpose. That said, I wouldn't use a leash on my board in any case but depending on the conditions you might want a leash if you use it in non-hydrofoil mode. It's useful in some situations! I also like having random leash plugs they can be used for other stuff too, like tying down a bag with water and a sandwich something like that.

[Regis-de-giens]

I connect my retractable leash on my HF when I have to relaunch my foilkite in very light wind to ensure it does not go too downwind or in the lines during the kite relaunch tries. In extreme light wind it can happen that the HF alone goes downwind faster than you can bodydrag downwind so you can loose the foil or loosing time recovering it while the wind drops down.

[edt]

you should always sit on your hydrofoil in ultra light wind during a relaunch. it is the only way to push back against the kite enough to get it into the air if the wind is ultralight. If the board is downwind of you after a crash swim after it and then sit on it.

[slowboat]

you should always sit on your hydrofoil in ultra light wind during a relaunch. it is the only way to push back against the kite enough to get it into the air if the wind is ultralight. If the board is downwind of you after a crash swim after it and then sit on it.

This would be ideal but I have found it very difficult. Any tips for sitting on the board?

[edt]

hmm it's pretty easy. have you ever surfed? It's like sitting on your surfboard but actually easier because of the weight of the foil in the water. Just try it again without your kite. I'm sure if you give it 5 minutes you'll get the knack.

[Flag53]

I use a retractable reel leash when foiling at my local spot as we have 10m tides and the rips can be strong.
It saves a lot of body dragging after failed manoeuvres, especially at this time of year.

One thing of note though is that I have it connected to the back of the board. The reason being that when it’s connected to the front and you wipe out the leash pulls the board towards you and usually it starts to foil on its own and the last thing you want is a foiling board flying towards you .

[Peter_Frank]

you should always sit on your hydrofoil in ultra light wind during a relaunch. it is the only way to push back against the kite enough to get it into the air if the wind is ultralight. If the board is downwind of you after a crash swim after it and then sit on it.

Exactly, get your board first thing, and sit on it

Why leashed at the nose - sounds really clumsy and dangerous and never used on surfboards because of this (always at the rear), or am I missing something here ?

PF

PS: As said many times before, current won't make it easier nor worse to retrieve your board (if you got your kite in the air), it means nothing.
Surface conditions meaning chop or swell or flat, determines how fast your hydrofoil goes downwind seen from you, not current.

[edt]

I think current can make a difference. Suppose this. From 0 to 10cm depth the current is 1 knot (where the board sits -- for most purposes the hydrofoil mast and wing itself is nearly frictionless, it's the board that has friction from both the wind and current) and from 10cm to 1m the current is 5 knots. the current is different as you go deeper due to the action of the wind, it could be more or it could be less. Then near the shore the current is almost always less, suppose it's 1 knot on top and 2 knots deeper down as the land slows down the current. So if your board drifts towards shore and gets stuck where there is no current and you are in the water with 5 knots current you are going to have a problem getting to your board. If the current is just flat out the same everywhere then it should just cancel out, but if it varies I can definitely see the current doing something. The wind can also catch the hydrofoil and just make it run straight downwind but that's not about current.

[Topaz]

I can't seat on my board. It sinks.

I carry a long leash wrapped around the harness.
If the kite falls in light wind, first thing I do is hook this leash to the board and think only about relaunching the kite.
I wouldn't do it in mid winds for fear of the board following me if the kite relaunches with power.