Homemade paddle leash

Did a search for leash, found some good discussions and concluded this is a must-have item. How long should a leash be, and can it be made of virtually any rope or cordage? I like Pelagic Paddler's system of tying to his bow, so that the paddle orients the boat in the surf zone following huli/dumpage.

Most of the time lately, I haven't been using a paddle leash, even though I can't really come up a reason other than pure lazyness for not having one. When I do use one, it's a home made leash out of bungee chord from the local hardware store with a loop just big enough for the paddle so its tight and a brass clip on the other end that I hook to the seat. I guess it is a little longer than I would need, but I just have the excess wrapped around the paddle in the middle and that seems to work really well for me.

I subscribe to the idea of never having your paddle leash attached to the paddle and the yak at the same time when going through the surf. Since its the one thing you're holding on to when you dump, its possible to get wrapped up in that line while dumping. Having it tied to the bow seems like a better idea since it'd be more out of the way, and being able to hold onto the yak and have it straightend out while in the surf zone would be great, but personally I'm still not going to risk it.

Thanks Yak. Looks like I need to lay in some bungee supplies as this stuff and pool noodles seem to be the basis for a lot of yak rigging ...

I made my paddle leash out of an old Verizon cell phone charger cord (coiled) a couple of swedges, a loop of webbing for the paddle, and light carabiner to a attach to my by bow line.   I have been unhooking the leash from the bow line for the surf zone.  So far I have been able to gorilla grip the paddle with my left had during a "huli" without issue. 

I just tie my paddle to the seat clips behind me.
 I use a simple 1/8" chord for the leash.