They say that a picture is worth a thousand words, so here are the pictures.
Yesterday I tried to describe my best way to zip close a wetsuit and leash.
Below are the examples of problematic methods along with my preferred method. Please note that for the purpose of these illustrations I left the zipper top exposed so that you can see where it goes, but when racing it should obviously be under the flap.
Note: Everybody is different. These are just my suggestions for the best methods that work (and do not work) for me. Please use your best judgment for your own preferred technique. Or you can do a like a friend of mine did a few years ago and actually remove the wetsuit during a race. She got a bit freaked out by the tight fit and slipped out of her wet suit half way through the swim. Good thing she a nearby jet ski rider to bring the wetsuit back to shore.
#1 Crazed Killer Phython Method
Velcro the top zipper flap closed and leave leash unattached and hanging down and tangling from the zipper. In this common scenario the leash will inevitably wrap itself around my neck when I begin to swim and try to choke me like a crazed python. I'll spend at least half of the swim trying to unwrap the cagey leash from my neck.
#2 Wetsuit Love Hickey Method
Velcro the top zipper flap closed with leash end sticking out of the top of the flap. This is another common method that people use that drives me crazy. With the leash end under the flap but sticking out of the top, I always end up with a huge red wetsuit love hickey kiss on the back of my neck. The top of the leash rubs against the back of my neck when I swim to such an extent that my wife thinks I've been making out with an octopus.
#3 Cagey Hide and Seek Leash Method
Velcro the leash under the flap but from the top instead of from the bottom. In this problematic method my friendly race day neighbor zips up my wet suit and takes the end of the leash and Velcros it under the flap with the end stuck under the top of the flap. This creates a sort of giant "O"out of the leash as the end stick under the flap from the top instead of the bottom of the flap. The result of this method is that not only will I end up with a wetsuit hickey, but also the giant O leash is almost impossible to grab and pull at the end of the swim. It always seems to deafly defy my probing hands as I try to grab the leash to unzip the wet suit.
#4 The Everyman Recommended Method
The only method that I find works for me is when the leash is closed under the flap from the bottom of the flap creating a sort of U with the leash. And when somebody actually does this for me I smile, and smile, and smile.