Stay Covered : quel leash choisir pour votre pratique ?

Stay Covered: leashes that don't let go

The leash is the most indispensable accessory for surfers (after the board, of course...). It is almost essential, with a few exceptions. Because surfing without one means taking a risk you don't want to take: the risk of losing your board unnecessarily or of your board hitting someone else in the water, which is never a good idea. Choosing the right leash, the right size, the right model, and the right urethane diameter is important. We're going to help you see things more clearly, especially with Stay Covered, high-quality Made in USA leashes whose wide range of leashes meets all needs:

Stay Covered - Founded in the early 90s in a garage in Oceanside, California, by Mark Cappa, the brand was built around an obsession: to manufacture the strongest and most reliable leashes on the market. It was thanks in particular to his collaboration with Gary Linden, one of the great big wave chargers of Todos Santos, that Stay Covered specialized in big wave leashes, which have now become a global benchmark for the most committed sessions. Garrett MacNamara, Carlos Burle, Andrew Cotton and some of the world's greatest big wave riders trust Stay Covered. All their leashes are handmade in the USA, in Oceanside, California.

The Stay Covered range: a leash for every condition. Here are the different models in the leash range:

STANDARD 7mm

The Standard range is the heart of the Stay Covered collection. The 7mm model is the everyday benchmark: strong, comfortable, and reliable for small to medium-sized waves. Double swivel (swivels on both sides of the urethane cord) to prevent tangles. Classic and solid plastic end caps on both sides as well. High-quality urethane and high-quality assembly. This is the leash we recommend to the vast majority of surfers for their daily sessions.

👉 Perfect for shortboard and fish, all everyday conditions (7mm)

Note: For leash fans with a strap at the knee (for Longboard or SUP), the Big Wave Standard 7mm leash model is available in "Calf". The knee leash ("Calf" Leash or "Knee" Leash) is another way to attach your leash for longboarding or SUP. Attached at the upper calf, below the knee, rather than the ankle, it prevents the leash from getting in the way when you want to walk on the board. Practical for longboarders who practice noseriding and cross-stepping. The same careful construction as the Standard, the same daily reliability, but specifically designed for classic longboarding.

👉 Perfect for longboard or SUP and noseriding (7mm urethane).

BIG WAVE STANDARD 8mm

We step up a notch with a superior urethane thickness (diameter), in 8mm. Still double swivel (swivels on both sides of the urethane cord) to prevent tangles. Still classic and solid plastic end caps on both sides. Still high-quality urethane and high-quality assembly. Its thicker diameter urethane offers superior resistance for powerful waves. More resistance and strength, it's the transition leash between everyday surfing and serious conditions.

👉 Perfect for solid waves, from 1.50m up to 2.50m or "overhead to double overhead" (8mm urethane).

HEAVY DUTY HAND TIED 8mm

This is the signature range of Stay Covered, and what truly sets them apart from all other brands. Each leash is hand-tied, an artisanal technique that replaces classic injection-molded plastic end caps with a hand-assembled attachment, for unbeatable resistance to extreme tensions. The urethane is hand-tied directly to both ends of the leash; there are no plastic end caps between the urethane ends and the swivels. Urethane thickness: 8mm - This assembly ensures additional strength and increased resistance because the non-existent plastic end caps are not susceptible to breaking under very strong tension. The model is also available as a Heavy Duty Hand Tied "Longboard/SUP" in 8mm, and it's the ideal choice for longboarders and SUP enthusiasts looking for a robust and versatile leash, capable of handling the power of a large board in consistent waves.

👉 Perfect for big waves on shortboards, mid-lengths, mini guns, step-up guns, for example, and/or longboards and SUPs (8mm)

HEAVY DUTY XXL HAND TIED 9mm

Hand-tied like the Heavy Duty model, but this time with a superior, 9mm diameter urethane, it withstands the most violent tensions without flinching, for the biggest waves and big wave surfing.

The XXL Big Wave Hand Tied 9mm model was originally designed in 2005 for Waimea Bay, Todos Santos, and Mavericks. It has since become the benchmark for all committed big wave sessions.

👉 Perfect for enormous waves on step-up guns and guns (9mm). Can also be useful if you surf big waves on a longboard and/or SUP.

HEAVY DUTY XXL HAND TIED with QUICK RELEASE 10mm

The XXL Big Wave Quick Release 10mm is the toughest leash in the range and undoubtedly one of the strongest in the world. In addition to the 10mm hand-tied urethane, it integrates a Quick Release system that allows you to detach the leash instantly by pulling a pin in case of danger, if you want to free yourself from your board (leash or board stuck at the bottom in a reef cavity, or leash and board stuck on a rock, for example). In case of a hold-down or critical situation, this extra safety can literally save your life.

👉 Perfect for enormous waves on guns (10mm)