Tired of chasing down your bodysurfing handboard when it slips off your hand? Keeping your handplane connected to your body using a bicep leash is the most convenient way to prevent losing it while you bodysurf.
What is a bicep coil leash? It is a urethane tether that attaches to your bodysurfing
Let’s take a deeper look at this helpful bodysurfing innovation and how it will save you time, energy, and heartache in the long run.
features & specs
How long should a bicep leash be? What are the circumference sizes of a bicep leash? All of these questions are presented in the bicep coil leash dimension table below.
| Leash Part | Measurement |
| cuff min diameter | 3″ – 4″ |
| cuff max diameter | 6″ – 7” |
| cuff min circumference | 10″ – 11” |
| cuff max circumference | 21″ – 22” |
| coil length (fully stretched) | 46″ – 50” |
| leash length end-to-end (fully stretched) | 55″ – 58” |
| cord length (relaxed) | 13″ – 16” |
| leash length end-to-end (relaxed) | ~26″ |
| cuff width | ~2″ |
How much does a bicep leash weigh?
A bicep coil leash weighs roughly .5 – 1lb. Most of the weight is actually located in the coiled cord as this is made of durable material.
What are bicep coil leashes made of?
Below is a list of materials used to create the bicep coil leash by Slyde handboards.
- Strong molded plastic
- 360 Stainless steel swivel
- Urethane
cord - Velcro strap
- Nylon string
What are the design components of the bicep coil leash?
Below is a diagram that displays where all design pieces are located on the bicep leash.
- leash cuff
- adjustable cuff clasp
- leash cuff release tab
- 360 leash swivel connector
- leash coil (cord)
- free rotation cord connector
- velcro locking
strap / rail saver - ylon string attachment
how does a bicep leash work?
When you first receive your leash it may seem a bit daunting. Here is a quick video breakdown of how the bicep coil leash works.
A bicep coil leash is comprised of the leash cuff, adjustable clasp, release tab, 360 swivel, cord, free rotation connector, locking strap, and nylon string. All of these work seamlessly together so you can enjoy bodysurfing safely and without any interference from your leash.
Here is a little more information about each part and how they work in unison. Let’s start with the part closest to the bodysurfing handboard:
Nylon String: The string is the part that attaches to your handplane. It is made from nylon material and can be tied to your handboard leash plug or hand strap.
Velcro Locking Strap / Rail Saver: This piece connects the string to the bicep leash cord. It locks the string into place so it does not detach from the leash. It uses an interlocking velcro strap to keep the string securely in place. Plus, it doubles as a rail saver to protect the tail and edges of your board.
Free Rotation Cord Connector: This is the plastic molded piece that is fed into the velcro locking strap. It is able to freely rotate to prevent tangling and cord tension. This is the anchoring point that connects the coil.
Leash Coil / Cord: The cord is located in the middle part of the leash and measures longer than your handboard. You will notice that it is coiled to provide flexibility and range. Be mindful of the recoil effect if the coil is stretched to its full length.
360 Swivel Connector: This part connects the leash cuff to the cord. The swivel feature is essential for providing free range of motion when bodysurfing and paddling. It also reduces possibility of entanglement. It is considered the “joint” of the leash.
Leash Cuff: The cuff is the component that attaches to your arm via an adjustable velcro strap. You typically want to place the cuff on the arm of the hand that is strapped to your handboard.
Cuff Release Tab: This is the small, blue nylon tab located on the cuff velcro strap. This feature makes it easy to re-adjust, loosen, or tighten the adjustable cuff around your arm.
Cuff Clasp: – This small piece makes the cuff adjustable and functional. It provides the velcro strap the leverage needed to easily fit your cuff snugly into place around your arm and also detach when done using.
do you need a bicep leash? pros vs cons
The primary purpose of a bodysurfing handboard bicep leash is to keep you connected to your board if it slips from your hand during a wipeout or if you need to ditch it during your paddle out past the surf break.
But do you actually need to wear a bicep leash? Both sides of this debate are presented in our detailed post about whether or not you need to wear a leash for handboarding. This article points out clear advantages and disadvantages to wearing a bicep leash.
are bicep leashes safe to use?
A bicep leash is generally very safe to use. However, there are possible hazards to watch out for when wearing one.
There is a chance you could become entangled if you wipe out in a huge wave. Even though the leash is short, the coil is very flexible so it could potentially wrap around your neck and face during a major spill if your arms flail.
Your leash could also get entangled with submerged objects. If you bodysurf where there is coral, seaweed, rocks, or piers make sure to be careful when diving underwater.
You also need to be mindful of the recoil effect. This is when the coil of the leash gets stretched to its limits and then snaps back toward you, which could potentially hit you in the face. Check out the recoil test I performed below to give you an idea of what to expect.
Remember to shield your head if you feel a strong tug on your bicep leash that causes the cord to fully extend.
who should wear a bicep leash?
As a beginner bodysurfer, you will probably wipe out quite a bit until you start learning how to master your handboard. So if you are a newbie, I highly recommend you wear your leash since you are just starting to learn.
Even though wearing a leash is recommended for beginners, it is always good to constantly be connected to your board in case it slips from your grip. This can happen unexpectedly at any skill level.
Related Questions:
Where do you buy a bicep leash?
You can purchase a bicep leash at Slydehandboards.com or pick this one up on Amazon to get free shipping. If you need help deciding what to buy make sure to check out my guide on buying a bicep leash for
bicep leash vs surfboard leash: what’s the difference?
The main difference between a surfboard leash and handboard leash is the length. A Surfboard leash can measure up to an average of 7 feet long compared to that of a handboard leash which measures up to 29 inches long.
Another noticeable difference is where each leash is attached to your body. A surfboard leash is attached to your ankle whereas a bicep leash is typically attached to your forearm or bicep.
where and how do you store it?
You might be tempted to wrap your bicep leash around your handboard. However I DO NOT recommend that you do this for storing your leash. The coil can become stretched out or get damaged by rails if it falls.
Instead, you can easily store it in your handboard bag. It is small enough to coil it up and fit in whatever carry bag you use. Check out how I sometimes store mine in my drawstring bag.
If you do want to keep it attached to your board, simply velcro it to your handstrap like I did in the image below. This is a simple way to store your bicep leash so you don’t lose it.
You can also simply coil it up and store it on a shelf or in a drawer. I usually keep mine either on my closet shelf or nightstand drawer. This is a great way to keep it safe and out of your way.
where on your arm do you wear it?
There are two main places to where the Slyde bicep leash on your arm. The first is your bicep and the second place is the forearm. I teach you exactly how to position your bicep leash in this article so it does not slip off.
how do you attach it to your board?
There are two different ways to attach a bicep leash to your board.