Here’s an idea from PonoBill about holding onto your board in the soup.  I used to use a small piece of knotted rope but broke two fingers when they got caught inside  the loop.  Think I’ll give Bill’s idea a go next.  If any one here tries it, please feel free to report back in the comments section!

Q: I ride the 9’8" starboard sportech fish which has 2 x leash plugs installed. I have just fixed an old ankle strap tight onto  the unused plug for hanging onto when getting battered by the whitewater or, if your leash snaps.  I hope to
go in later this afternoon as it is small and glassy today. Has anyone else rigged up something similar?

Ponobill’s A: Yes, but here’s another idea. First of all, loop a piece of good line (like windsurfer downhaul line) through both plugs and connect your leash to that. In the unlikely event that you pull one leash plug out, the other should hold. A well installed leash plug is mighty stout, but stuff happens. If nothing else this distributes the pull to both plugs and reduces the likelihood of failure.
Don’t use a loop for the handle–you don’t want your hand caught. I used a piece of strap cut from a bad tiedown. I doubled it, passed it through the leash rope and then passed the strap through the doubled loop. I tied an overhand knot about ten inches from the rope, and then tied overhand knots in each of the ends. If you make even a flailing grab at this handle you’re likely to get enough purchase to slow the board before the wave rips it out of your hands. That’s often enough to keep it out of the pocket and get it onto the back of the wave. In most cases you’ll be able to hang on to the board. It’s really great when you’re getting pasted by head high whitewater, because you can breathe most of the time.
When I first did this I thought I made it too long, but it’s really good. this picture shows the ends without the overhand knots. they come out sometimes during the course of a day’s surfing. But you get the idea. Long is good. At this length the strap has no effect I can determine on how the board feels. Possibly a great surfer would feel it, but that ain’t me.

SUP rescue

 Blane Chambers recently posted on the Zone about his new GoPro camera.  Man, is that one sweet set up.  Plaster it to the front of the board and you’ll  be the hero of your own show.  Check out the shots.  Cool crazy angles.  Beautiful.

Just picked up and installed the GoPro Camera.    We figured it would be a good way to document the epic days and get some cool shots.   
Cost was $149 plus you have to buy the SD Memory card and batteries separate.    It takes AAA recharge types.    It comes with a sticky pad or you can use a FCS plug to install.    Tiny little thing.   Installed it onto my 10-6 and it is clear of the paddle when I swing it over the board.

5 MP that takes 56 min of video or 1900 pics every 2 seconds.        Its a good way to see what you are doing while paddling etc.     Another thing I noticed when loading the pics is this camera IS ALL ABOUT ME!    It even says on the mounting plate, "Be a Hero".    Its actually a little disturbing to see so many photos of yourself up close.      If you love yourself, you need this camera.    I can honestly say after going through 300+ pics I am sick of looking at my various degrees of monkey face.   
Anyway, here’s the results of a quick session this morning.   Videos later.  Today was all about finding position etc.   Camera is very easy to set, turn off and on etc.   
Pics from the first test in early am conditions.
 
 

GoPro Surf Hero Board Mount Camera