You put a bit of a smirk on my face when you hesitated trying to artfully dance around knowing paddlers who like or don’t like paddle leashes. It is so true how opinionated we can get sometimes, no? I appreciate your thoughtfulness towards each topic you discussed, with some really good ideas in there. I think that the biggest takeaway is for people to figure out what works for them.

Love all the personal insight you offer! Great supporting footage too. I'm glad I discovered your channel!

Always thought provoking. Inalways learn from these new perspectives. I love my paddle leash. But this definitely is food for thought.

Learning a lot from you - Thank you!

I am new to sea kayaking and have a paddle leash. I will definetly take it off before landing in surf n.ext time. Thanks

Thanks! I planned on buying paddle britches and now I'm going to put them where you do, at the back!

Good video, really enjoyed it. I really enjoyed your thoughts on where to put the spare paddle. I to prefer the back deck for the same reasons you have.

Great video, thanks for sharing. Several good tips. What's also important is if you are paddling solo and don't have a spare paddle then that increases importance of a tether.

Where your paddle is on deck depends on whether you are alone or in a group, as someone else is able to help you. Then, what is your comfort zone, and how critical is it that you can get it operational quickly. Yes, paddle leashes should not be attached in any surf or crashing wave while rock gardening, etc. , but alone while touring both a paddle leash and a kayak leash can be life saving, and it depends on the wave and wind conditions , of course. I also have a sheathed knife on my PFD. I really like the North Sea Kayak safety video and his recommended equipment.

I recommend against paddle leashes. I have seen people capsize and twisted where they could not easily set up for a roll or they have not quickly exit. I carry a knife, but I don't think most, while in the water with hands caught in a leash, could easily retrieve a knife and cut the leash.

I use to use paddle leashes and really liked them in my rec kayak but when I started to get more serious about paddling I felt like they got in the way and made it harder for me to practice proper technique however I would still use one if I was fishing

I use a leash from me to my kayak itself. Most times, I paddle alone. I have many people say no way. Your opinion

I use a Werner crooked paddle and a leash. I'll only be paddling on flat water.

Hey Luke, good to see a post from you -- seems like it has been a while (unless I missed some). Hope you're liking your new digs. Anyway, video was helpful as always. I have also switched from using a paddle leash to a spare; two reasons, one, I don't like having tethers floating around when I'm rolling or any kind of rescue; and two, a leash is useless if you do break a paddle. Flip side though: whether it's on your foredeck or rear, if you break or lose a paddle in conditions, I can't imagine extracting and constructing a 2-piece paddle while maintaining my balance. (Greenland paddles have a big advantage here.) Practicing that in the pool is an important first step, but in breaking waves? I've never actually tried it (and hope I don't have to -- not a very good safety philosophy!)

How are you securing your one piece Greenland paddle if you are using your euro paddle.

Did Natives make their paddles out of driftwood?

who manufactures the storage you have for the European paddle on your back deck. Greta video

What kind of gloves did you have on in some of the videos. They looked like rubber black gloves with fingers cut out?

I do not understand paddle leashes. I have never lost a paddle, whether on a river, in the surf, or on tour. While there is always a chance something could happen and the paddle and I could become disconnected, it is a very small chance. Traditional Greenland paddlers developed an array of innovative rolls to be used if they were to get tangled up in their lines. Maybe paddle leashers should consider that.

I NEVER leash my paddle OR Camera. Its less about safety, and more about the tangled mess of leashes, and how ridiculously unnecessary they are. My camera is equipped with a float, so if I drop it, i can just grab it again. Paddles also float. Why then, the leash? Makes no sense to me anyway. Also, this is the first time I ever heard someone say they found a paddle behind them easier to access. Ok, but that makes no sense to me. 99% of people will find the paddle easier to access on the front deck, and many will find it impossible to get a paddle off the back deck. For most, the place for the spare is up front, out of the way of rescues, and easy to grab. If you have a spare paddle, it eliminates ANY justification for a leash. For coastal touring, I am an opinionated leash opponent, I guess. Ha! Thanks for the video. Check out some of our ocean trips on my channel….