to leash or not to leash paddle in surf?

[yakrider]

Originally Posted by Holy Mackerel

I do not leash launching or landing, for the reasons you describe.

ditto...

Originally Posted by CurtyL

And what's more, the leash I have I suspect of making alot of noise (it's a coiled jobber like a HP hose and bangs against the yak in transit) so I basically never have it on. I use it for one of my poles instead. If I ever use a paddle leash again it'll be 550 cord with a simple slip-knot. Quiet, purpose effective. My paddles float for christ sakes!

yes...
paddles float...
yes bad things can happen...
yes...
we all say "it'll never happen to me"...
I was on a trip last year and one of the guys in our group
was fishing without a paddle leash...
whilst in the midst of fishing...
his paddle...which does float...fell in the water without him
being aware of it...and neatly floated away...
out of visible range...uh oh...
he found himself...alone...in the ocean...
you know the saying...
up s*%t creek without a paddle...
luckily for him...
he did have a VHF radio...
and all was well...
so...leash or no leash...
do what you wish...
the choice is yours...
I'm just sayin'...