The American Packrafting Association (APA) has published an article addressing whether packrafters should use a leash — a cord or rope connecting paddle, boat, and paddler. The verdict differs sharply between rivers and open water.
Packrafters already running rivers in Japan are likely aware that leash-related fatalities have occurred here too, and that using a leash on a river is generally discouraged. A leash exists to prevent losing a paddle, but it can just as easily wrap around the paddler or snag on an obstacle — a risk that becomes serious, even life-threatening, in moving water.
Table of Contents
- Not recommended on rivers
- Conditionally acceptable on open water
- Related link
Not recommended on rivers
According to the article, leashes should be avoided in any river with current, for the following reasons:
- Risk of entanglement on rocks, trees, or strainers
- A swimmer’s ability to reach shore or re-enter the boat can be compromised
- The quick-release mechanism on a rescue PFD may not function reliably under lateral load
- A leash effectively becomes a second rope in the water, adding to the risk of entrapment
Using a standard packraft on the open ocean is never recommended in the first place (a separate issue this article doesn’t get into), but a fair number of paddlers do use packrafts on lakes. For that kind of open water, the article’s position is as follows.
Conditionally acceptable on open water
On open water — a windy or wave-affected lake, for instance — the risk of becoming separated from the boat or paddle can outweigh the risk of entanglement. In those conditions, APA notes that a short, quick-release leash can be a reasonable choice.
Rather than deciding by habit, APA recommends weighing the risk of losing the boat or paddle against the risk of entanglement based on the actual conditions at hand each time. This doesn’t mean entanglement risk disappears entirely on open water either — it’s still a factor to weigh.
Thinking through the risks behind every action in an outdoor activity is what keeps the cycle going: have a good day outside, get home safely, and start planning the next trip.
After reading this, it’s worth discussing safety with your fellow packrafters.
Getting back into the boat after a flip is covered in 3 Steps Back Into the Boat. The APA’s wider safety series begins with Be WaterWise, part one.
Related link
→ Is It Safe to Use a Leash Packrafting? — American Packrafting Association
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