This post is a quick write up and video introduction to, and how to use the Leashlok Quick Release Waist Leash. Here in Alberta, the river surfing buzz is very real, and like myself, many people are coming from a surfing in the ocean background and there are safety components to being on the river that are often overlooked. A proper quick release leash should always be top of mind.
This is where the Leashlok Waist Belt Leash comes in. This product is actually designed for ocean surfers who are using large boards in big waves (like big wave SUP surfers). It is an awesome bi-product that also works as a safety surf belt for river surfers.
Leashlok Waist Surf Belt Overview and Use
River Surfing Safety Overview
Simply put, in the context of river surfing wearing a traditional ankle surf leash can be a major hazard. The main example of this is:
You have an obstruction in the river, such as a rock or a log, and you go one side of the obstruction and the board goes the other side, the water pressure will then load up on your body, board and ankle leash. This pressure will more often than not force you under water and helpless to do anything about it.
With an ankle leash you are in a bad position to be able to release the leash, and to make matters worse, traditional ankle leashes don’t have much to grab onto (other than a small tab) to release the velcro in an emergency. One of the core functions of velcro in a leash is when pressure is applied, it actually increases the grip of the velcro material. So, in an emergency river surfing entrapment situation, an ankle leash is virtually impossible to release.
This has led to a number of tragic and often avoidable fatalities in River SUP and surfing over the last number of years.
The Leashlok quick release waist leash, goes around your waist and has a large, brightly coloured pull tab so that in the event you are entrapped, you can easily (from almost any entrapment position) grab the release tab and free yourself from the system. This releases the pressure and you will be free of the entrapment attached to your board.
Leashlok Waist Surf Belt Features
The Leashlok Waist Surf Belt is an incredibly simple and easy to use system. It includes the following:
- A padded velcro waist strap that fits 24” - 44” waists
- A high visibility quick release tab that provides ample leverage to easily release even under tension
- A small velcro flapped pocket in the waist belt. It is big enough to store water proof keys, granola bars or small bars of wax.
- Easy to use (FCS fin key compatible hardware) attachment point for your waist leash.
- Standard cord attachment point for attaching the leash to the board
- The Leashlok Waist Surf Belt DOES NOT include the leash. You need to supply that separately.
- 6 month manufacturers warranty on build or product defects
Leashlok Leash Belt
$49.95
Leashlok Waist Surf Belt Overview and Use The go to quick release option for most river surfers. The Leashlok Leash Belt utilized your existing ankle leash and moves the attachment point to an easily accessible quick releasable waist belt. … Read More
How to Setup and Use the Leashlok Waist Surf Belt
Check out the video below for a full overview of the Leashlock Waist belt and how to set it up and use it:
Leashlok Waist Surf Belt Summary
It is rare that we find products that are so simple and fit such a great need as the Leashlok Waist Belt. The funny part is that for us as river surfers, this was never the intent from the manufacturer. A fantastic bi-product of a design for another problem. I can’t really think of any downsides to it. It is a wonderful tool for minimizing swimming after your board and more importantly to easily remedy potentially deadly entrapment situations when river surfing or River SUPing.
As a surfer with a whitewater paddling background I feel fortunate to have the river safety skills of over 20 years of teaching whitewater kayaking. My only addition to this blog would be to recommend that those new to river surfing seek out classes or at least education on basic river safety. It could be a small time investment that may potentially save yours or others lives.
I have linked to a few other generic river safety articles and videos below. These hopefully act as a great start point in further education on river safety.
Happy Surfing
Other River Surfing Articles and Info
Whitewater Kayakers Try River Surfing
What is River Surfing? A Canadian Perspective
From Kook to Cutbacks - A River Surfing Progression
How to use a throwbag video (River Safety Intro)
Boardworks Froth River Surf Board Review
River Surfing Safety | Complete Guide
AQ Outdoors Contact Info
Edmonton: (p) 780 463-4892 (e) info@aquabaticsedmonton.com
Calgary: (p) 403 288-9283 (e) info@aqoutdoors.com
About the Author: I am a 40 something year old Australian now living in Cochrane, Alberta Canada. For the past 11 years I have been an owner of AQ Outdoors / Aquabatics. A proud father of 3 kids and husband to Nikki.
I have been into the outdoors for as long as I can remember, camping and surfing trips as a kid graduated to a lifelong passion for most things outdoors. When I am not staring at spreadsheets I try to spend as much time in the mountains and on the water as I can.
