If you are planning on going in rougher waters and worry that you may fall off your SUP board, having a leash can prevent the board from drifting far from you if you do fall off. Additionally, if you are planning to surf on your SUP, we highly recommend using a SUP surfing leash. If you plan on using your SUP to simply cruise around a calm bay or lake, a SUP surfing leash might not be necessary, but is always recommended. We sell Dakine surf leashes, a trusted brand within the surfing community that has been making outstanding products for years. We sell both a coiled, and uncoiled leash.

When choosing a SUP surfing leash you first want to consider the length of your board. The general rule of thumb on SUP leashes is to get one that is as long as your stand up paddle board (give or take 1-2 feet). You don’t just want to walk into a surf shop and get a standard 6’, 7’, or 8’ short board surfing leash because it will be too short, and you’ll end up getting hit by your board on the recoil. Most SUP leashes are 10’ to 12’ and should be a little thicker in diameter than regular surfboard leashes, which are usually one quarter inch thick. SUP leashes start at about 5/16ths inch. You can get either a straight leash, or a coiled SUP leash. Also, you can get a leash that is designed to attach to your ankle or your calf depending on your preference.

For those who are planning on using their SUP board for surfing we recommend reading over this SUP surfing etiquette guideline. SUP surfing differs greatly from traditional surfing and it is important to understand the proper SUP surfing etiquette so that you do not get into any trouble. The revolution of SUP surfing has caused some problems with the traditional surfing community. Surf spots already crowded with surfers are now being flooded with SUP surfers who want to get a piece of the action as well. This can cause problems between the two crowds for a variety of reasons. Check out our Standup Paddle and Surfing article to understand how to best navigate the waters.

For beginners who are new to SUP surfing, SUP surfing lessons are recommended to help you learn how to properly SUP surf. We have compiled a list of SUP surfing companies that will provide you with awesome SUP surfing lessons. As SUP surfing is far more difficult than just traditional stand up paddle boarding, it would be wise to get SUP surfing lessons before venturing out to ride some waves.