Check also the velcro round the cuffs for wear and tear and keep these free of sand, as it will erode the velcro’s teeth and the swivels. As a final check make sure any grub screws or rivets round the swivels haven’t worked loose and watch out for excessive play in the swivel, which is another sign of a need for replacement.
Leash plugs have been the demise of many a board so keep an eye on these for delamination around the fitting. Winter exposes your board to stronger swells on a more regular basis than any other season so it’s worth investing the time to make sure your gear isn’t paying the price. Leash cords by their very nature are prone to wear so watch for fray points on the pin, I like to run two together to reduce the strain and have a back up in place. If you think all this is overkill, than remember in winter that the moment something fails you are on the clock with daylight and keeping your core temperature up.
Bigger swells and windier sessions can put more stress on your fins so check for movement in the box but when doing up your grub screws don’t tighten these like you’re putting the nuts back on Lewis Hamilton’s back wheel. Hand tight and another half turn is my rule of thumb, so that if you do hit a rock, the fin comes out, not the box.
