It is kind of in the way. Is there a reason why it has to be as long as it is?

two words
Fist starts H_ _ _ _ _ and second starts P_ _ _

The leash needs to be long enough so you can launch unhooked, land wrapped and then pull it back over your head, but short enough so it won't drag in the water

2:30
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GLGpTUOK36E

OK that makes sense.

Thanks,
Al

It is a very good question - and you got the answer: It is for handle passes and unhooked use

As I ride hooked most of the time, I can and will not use such a long leash - would be a total mess to have "flying around", and in the way.

So I have a very very short leash instead, it actually only has to be 1 or 1½ foot long - much better and not in the way

Apart from the days where I dont use a leash - as at many wavespots it makes no sense and you can choose to ride without the leash (when hooked, and not having a push release - so you dont accidentally unhook)

Peter

Kiteboarding.com can make you custom length leash's if you want a shorter one. I would suggest the minimal length would be just long enough that if you were to release to it you body and hands would be unable to reach the bar. This way the kite will just fall out of the sky and allow you to regain control. All so if the kite started looping on its own you would know to release your leash and ditch the kite.

irrelevent of unhooking or not surely the leash has to be long enough that if you were to ditch the chicken loop by accident or in an emergency then you can still reach enough leash and have enough slack to pull the bar back in from behind you....as most harnesses have leash attachments at the rear.

Thanks everybody, it's obvious now. I am new to the sport and would like to shorten it, but not endanger myself, so now I know what I am working with.

So I guess that ditching the kite by releasing the leash would be in the case of an out of control kite. Maybe a broken line etc.

You can shorten your leash by making knots into it. Also makes it easier to grab.