Wavesailing and legrope mystery

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jedermann
jedermann
VIC
28 posts
VIC, 28 posts
18 Oct 2007 11:58am
Why do wavesailors not use leg ropes? Is it bc it is dangerous to be dragged through the surf with all the gear? Is it bc of the hassle of having it trail out behind you? Or bc you dont need it bc the w/sailing gear is so much bigger that it is less likely to be taken to shore? Or is it just custom? Consider that SUPs have leggies - do you not use the leggy once you put a rig on?
nebbian
nebbian
WA
6277 posts
WA, 6277 posts
18 Oct 2007 10:15am
Wavesailors are tough.

Swimming after your gear makes you harden the f__k up.

Seriously, if a wave has the power to rip the boom from your hands when you're in the water, then you probably don't want to be dragged backwards with it... most of the time you just hang onto the boom and maybe a footstrap, wait till everything settles down, then waterstart away.
Mark _australia
Mark _australia
WA
23647 posts
WA, 23647 posts
18 Oct 2007 10:18am
and think about all the things it can get wrapped around.... however, on a surfboard there is nothing.
I'm imagining the rope going from the rear of the board, around the mast bast a couple times and leg thru the boom, and me under the sail unable to extract my leg enough to get out and take a breath..... no thanks
knot board
knot board
QLD
1241 posts
QLD, 1241 posts
18 Oct 2007 12:33pm
Legropes attach to your back foot, which foot is your back one when windsurfing? I'm with Mark, too much stuff to wrap around.


Anyway, take a look a this thread www.seabreeze.com.au/forums/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=31402

and this picture www.seabreeze.com.au/gallery/gallery.asp?imageid=6445 to see why kitesurfers don't shouldn't wear legropes.

warning - graphic picture
555
555
892 posts
555 555
892 posts
18 Oct 2007 10:34am
Having been tumbled around in a breaking wave with my wave gear, I can appreciate how quickly a legrope could become a noose, or just tangle you up so you can't get out to the fresh air.

Wave gear does sometimes catch a wave to shore by itself, but generally it'll dig in and catch so that it doesn't get taken very far.

You're also supposed to hold onto your gear when you crash which is much easier to do with a windsurf rig than it is with just a board.
Zed
Zed
WA
1274 posts
Zed Zed
WA, 1274 posts
18 Oct 2007 11:59am
I couldn't think of a worse thing. Especially if you jump 30 feet in the air and bail your gear. The last thing you want is to actually be attached to it. An in addition if u get caught in some big sets, you are not going to be able to dive under the wave. There then's gybing, tripping over the leggie. I could go on all day!
Wet Willy
Wet Willy
TAS
2317 posts
TAS, 2317 posts
18 Oct 2007 3:42pm
Maybe you could have your uphaul line not attached at the bottom end , and keep it (the bottom end) looped around your front hand while powering out thru the shorebreak... but that's silly really, just keep hold of something if you fall off.

Hey, I know - carry flippers so you can swim back to your gear when it gets washed away! Problem solved!!
stehsegler
stehsegler
WA
3571 posts
WA, 3571 posts
18 Oct 2007 1:03pm
quote:
carry flippers so you can swim back to your gear when it gets washed away!



Robby Seeger used to have boggy boarding flippers attached to his harness in the early days of sailing Jaws. This was before everyone had a Jetski.

Which brings me to my second option, buy your buddy, wife or kids a jetski and tell them to hang around in case you need a lift back to your gear.

RE the kiter pic... ewwww. Poor guy.
P.C_simpson
P.C_simpson
WA
1492 posts
WA, 1492 posts
18 Oct 2007 1:25pm
i cant imagine bailing a out of control jump 25 feet in the air still attached to the board, i like to be well the f_ck away from it on the way down, and gybeing would be a pain with a legrope on.
jedermann
jedermann
VIC
28 posts
VIC, 28 posts
18 Oct 2007 3:47pm
thanks guys. cons do seem to outweigh the pros (especially with considering jumps). will look out for some lightweight flippers that can fit down the trouser.
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