Deck lines, bow and stern handles and leash attachment points are the future of surfski design. It’s a no-brainer as more and more of our time is spent “adventure paddling” and not in the relatively safe, chaperoned arena of “racing.”

When Sterling and I began designing the Vector’s deck and its features, Heather and I had just been out on the 80+ mph day, 9-12 feet, etc. Safety features were fresh on the mind, and with the Vector we had the opportunity to integrate all the things that sea kayaks have gradually gained over the years. If you look back far enough, sea kayaks didn’t have those things either. It took a passionate, vocal group of paddlers (and enough tragedy on the water) to get the message across to the manufacturers about deck lines, end toggles, etc. Even still, you won’t find them on ALL boats. But look at any serious adventure kayaker, and their boat is rigged for survival.
And using the Vector as an example, it’s still a blue-ribbon fast, sub-30-pound ski. Safety features don’t dumb a boat down or need to weight it down.

I think an important thing to remember about this sport is how “in its infancy” it really is, especially in this country, but globally as well. There is no other “they” out there to take care of design changes, improvements, the development of safety standards, skills and gadgets. We ARE “they.” Look how closely linked the people in this group are to Jude, Greg and Oscar, Jeff and Daryl, Sterling, Rob Mousley. There are no “degrees of separation” – it’s one-to-one. So to everyone I just mentioned who’s reading this: We, the surfskiers of the world, are concerned about survival more than ever. We want proven leash attachment points to start, STANDARD, on every boat, and while you’re at it, go ahead and include a proven leash with every new boat sold. Because as my buddy Manny taught me when I first started paddling 16 years ago, this sport is – above and beyond everything else – about one thing: Longevity.

As for leashing body-to-boat or paddle-to-boat, be sure to think of the worst case on-water scenario and whether or not it might make you loosen your grip on that paddle for even a split second. Remember the bloody photos when Morris got clinked in the face last year while out soloing? If that happened to you might you loosen your grip? If you don’t know 110%, leash your boat to your body. And in my opinion, if you’re serious about survival and consider yourself a storm paddler, leash your paddle to your wrist AS WELL.

It might be the only smart thing he ever said, but Mike Tyson hit the nail on the head when he uttered the words: “Everybody has a plan… until they get punched in the face.”

The Vector Surfski with integrated safety features…

In addition to bungees for storage, the Vector has perimeter or decklines on the stern made of static Spectra cord.

The bow also has static Spectra Cord decklines.

The bow also has a built-in handle which is another grab point, is the front-most attachment point for the deckline, and most importantly is a TOW LINE attachment point.

For a leash attachment point, a hatch has been installed in the hump between the seat and the footwell. The leash attaches directly to a stainless steel rod inset in the hatch cover. This system has an 800 pound test strength.

The Huki offers an optional integrated leash attachment point.

Huki also sells a strong, simple and reliable ankle or knee to boat leash.