Editing Surfboard leash (section)

==Background==
[[File:Surf board leash.jpg|thumb|leash in use]]
The leash was invented in the 1970s amidst controversy that it was a dangerous accessory. Prior to leashes introduction in 1971, surfers who fell off their boards had to swim to retrieve them with runaway boards being an inconvenience to the surfer and a danger to other surfers. Initially, people expressed concern that if a surfer fell while riding a wave and wearing a leg rope, the surfboard may bounce back and hit the surfer causing serious injury.  Although this can happen, most surfers today choose to use a leg rope while surfing as it is believed that leg ropes prevent more accidents than they cause.

[[Santa Cruz, California|Santa Cruz]] resident Pat O'Neill <small>(son of surfer [[Jack O'Neill (businessman)|Jack O'Neill]], inventor of the [[O'Neill Wetsuit]])</small> is credited with [[Invention|inventing]] the surf leash.  His initial designs consisted of [[Surgery|surgical]] cord attached to a board with a [[suction cup]]. At the 1971 [[Malibu, California|Malibu]] international surfing competition, Pat offered leashes to his competitors in the event.  Consequently, he was disqualified from the event for wearing his leash, dubbed a ''kook cord'' by those at the event however over the next year, the leash became a ubiquitous tool in the surfing world.<ref name="surfline">{{Cite web |last=Marcus |first=Ben |date=October 2000 |title=Surf Leashes |url=http://www.surfline.com/surfaz/surfaz.cfm?id=921 |access-date=2007-01-11 |publisher=Surfline/Wavetrak, Inc}}</ref>

Pat's father, Jack O'Neill, lost his left eye in a surf leash [[accident]] as the surgical tubing used in the early designs allowed the leash to [[Deformation (engineering)|overstretch]], causing the surfboard to fly back towards the surfer. Subsequent cords were made with less elastic materials such as [[bungee cord]]s.<ref name="surfline" />

The first leg rope on the surfboard was created by Peter Wright, in [[Raglan, New Zealand]]. It was established in the very early 1970s. It consisted of [nylon]. He is not credited for his efforts because he did not [[copyright]] the leg rope. The urethane design was patented by David Hattrick.<ref>{{Citation |title=505,451 |date=1977-09-05 |work=Australian Patent}}</ref>  Later in the 1970s, he established Pipe Lines surfing products and developed a design that could be patented. This design also won an [[Australian Design Award]] in 1979.