A general rule when choosing the strap for your surfboard is that it should be the same length (or slightly longer if the board is between two sizes) as the board on which it will be used. For example, if your surfboard is 6'0, use a 6'0 strap. If it's a 6.6-foot surfboard, grab a 70-foot leash. There are many different strap lengths to choose from, ranging from 4 feet for a grom board to 12 feet for your longest longboard or SUP.
The right strap length for you will depend on the length of the board and your skill level. The strap must be the same length or slightly longer than the board on which it will be used. This means that you shouldn't use the same strap on a short board as you do on a longboard and vice versa. Measuring the strap of a surfboard is really simple.
You never want the strap to be shorter than the board, so as a general rule of thumb, use a strap that is just as long or just a little longer than your surfboard. A fun 7-foot shape would then require a 7-foot strap. The category or name a strap belongs to is derived from the thickness in millimeters of the strap itself, and if you're not sure what type of strap is best for you and your surf, it depends on both your skill level and the type of waves you're surfing on. If you think your skills are ready for a competition strap, look no further: the stylish Comp Essential straps from FCS.
Ankle straps are very popular because they are more comfortable and make it easier for surfers to recover their surfboard. If your board is an intermediate size, such as a 6'3, then you'll want to use the next option, which would be a 7-foot strap. These straps are usually 8 mm or more thick, so they can withstand the force of a huge wall of water that pulls them. The long piece, usually made of polyurethane, that attaches the strap to the sleeve and also to the rail protector so that you can then attach it to the board.
The reason professional straps emerged was to provide talented surfers with a strap that wouldn't compromise safety and, at the same time, was as thin as possible and that wouldn't get in the way. We recommend that beginners and big wave surfers use normal straps to reduce breakages caused by frequent falls or by stronger, larger waves. Likewise, surfers thought that the leash would make us weak and pitiable swimmers, and with stubborn pride they refused and neglected the idea of the leash. Regular straps, like this FCS All Round Essential strap, are great because they provide surfers with safety in virtually any range of wave sizes, except for the XL and more, since they have a solid thickness of 7 mm.
However, because the accessory is on the lower leg, there is a greater chance of it getting tangled compared to calf straps. A single swivel link will have one of these joints where the cord is attached to the sleeve, while some straps have a multiple twist. But as soon as the waves get bigger, considering that you don't have a team of jet skis waiting to be rescued as happens in many competitions, then you should think about increasing the thickness of the strap to prevent it from breaking. Selecting a strap for your surfboard can be a challenge given the wide variety of straps that come in different sizes, lengths and styles.
Their attachment point, which is located on the upper part of the leg, reduces the chances of them becoming entangled, especially when you walk on the surfboard.