Without change, things just stay the same.
Nothing too profound about that statement, but when applied to the products we use
every day, it makes sense to ask, why hasn’t it changed?
That’s exactly what we did with the surfboard leash.
Here’s a product that’s essentially remained unchanged for the past two decades.
Sure, it works in its current form, but at FCS we believed it could be better.
So, we set about completely re-inventing the product with the aim of designing a leash that felt like you weren’t wearing one at all. Where we landed is the new FCS Freedom Leash.
As the cord is such an integral part of this product, it was here the design process started. The cord used in the new FCS Freedom Leash is something new entirely, both visually and by the way it’s constructed. It’s a high tensile nylon yarn which is braided over an internal PU cord. The result is a thinner, lighter and stronger cord.
Every other component on the new FCS Freedom Leash has been designed to complement the cord and enhance the user experience. We implemented new manufacturing techniques, and streamlined all the working parts to make them more hydrodynamic. In doing so we’ve reduced the overall weight and the number of potential break points experienced with traditional leashes.
We conducted testing in a controlled environment and then called on our team of world class athletes to put the new leash through its paces. Through these tests we measured how the leash performed in a variety of conditions and the results and feedback were overwhelmingly positive.
The new FCS Freedom Leash is not only lighter and stronger, but also reduces the amount of tangling and drag, ultimately giving the surfer more freedom to perform at their best.
View the FCS Freedom Leash
Learn more about the development of the Freedom Leash
SurFebruary is a fun annual event in February, where participants raise money for cancer research by catching a wave or getting in the water every day – rain, hail or shine.
This episode sees Rich catch up with Mick Fanning on his recent trip to the US to chat about what he’s been riding, the development of his iconic fin template and how he came to embrace the FCS II system.