What am I missing? Are you talking about the spray skirt grab loop?
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I guess the paddling bug is back in my worldā¦ Thatās a good thing. I just went through the thread and saw your comment. His skirt loop is not tied to the kayak. That would be madness, and clearly his skills are superb. I can see why you thought it might be because of the colors, but itās tucked under a bungee system on the skirt.
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Skirt tied to contact tow line which is connected to deck lines.
May have posted wrong videos above. Sorry 
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You were faster than me, I was just getting that link. 
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It is a thought for longer crossings & far off shore, especially solo. As he notes, not for surf or rock gardening. As always, do your own risk/benefit analysis.
<<During my two solo and unsupported North Sea crossings, the sea kayak safety line was a necessary item. Since then, we tend to tether ourselves with it. Surf skiers are doing this already for years, why shouldnāt we? We train on leaving one leg in the cockpit during a wet exit, but we also want to be prepared if conditions are too rough or if something goes wrong. Think about it, what if you suddenly get unwell? If the wind is against the current, you will drift away in the opposite direction of your kayak. Swimming back can become impossible. Losing your craft in open water is one of the worst things that can happen. Better safe than sorry! But, donāt forget to use common sense: donāt use this during surfing; your boat will wash up on shore and so will you. Make sure itās long enough so you can easily shift out of your cockpit. Be safe and have fun!
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My first reaction is F THAT. But, I can see situations where this would be incredibly useful, like on big water where you could be separated from your boat. I wouldnāt do it without an emergency ball pull release somewhere, though. And definitely not with the length of tow rope I carry (too long for this). I also wouldnāt do it in a surf zone. Big nope. Itās not like youāll lose your boat there anyway. But I might consider this for solo trips on the Ohio. Itās a very big, powerful river, and I love paddling it by myself.
It really Iām 9 days late. 
Heās just using his contact tow rope 3x width of kayak.
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I went back and actually watched the video instead of just sliding through still shots. Should have done before I replied! I really like that setup and when (not if?) I get back in a kayak Iām going to try it.
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I think Iād rather have bungee and a little longer. I just cross bays not seas like him.
A guy here I paddled with once or twice lost his kayak on the Ohio. He almost lost his life, too, but got lucky that someone heard him screaming on the shore in a remote-ish area.
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I use a coiled leash on my paddle.
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Iāve thought about doing that, but Iāve taken enough swims in WW that Iāve never let go of my boat or paddle, not even my paddle when I was pinned upside down. But, reflexes are probably on a swift decline for me at this point. Does the leash interfere with your roll? I hope I can get a roll in the new boat, but Iām dubious after the spine fracture in '21.
Tuck excess coiled leash under deck line itās never a problem. Never makes a noise hardly. I only use a Scotty Clip to my deck bungees where they cross. If I was in the ocean like Dimitri Iād use heavier carbineer clip and possibly heavier line. Marine grade bungees is pretty strong also if itās 3/8" I forgot the numbers but it can be googled.
No strength given.
Maybe Iām missing something but heās not tethering the paddle, heās tethering his spray deck to the boat. No matter how many times I watch it, I keep imagining the boat getting tossed around and it becoming an entanglement/entrapment hazard.
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Correct skirt to contact tow line. Not sure Iād want to be tethered that tight to hull. Not worried about an entanglement in a bay or open seas. Cut the line in 10 seconds or less. Not enough rope to wrap you up like a kidnap victim anyway.
Does that interfere with your roll? I think a paddle leash might eff me up in that regard.
We diverged to paddle leashes. But yes, I can also see being attached by your spray skirt to your boat could become a nightmare death trap. The thought makes me literally shudder. Thatās why I wouldnāt do it without a very easy to find emergency release. I have a ball pull leash for my SUP for when I use it in swift moving water, which I attach to my waist in those circumstances. On flat water I just use a standard coiled leash attached below my knee.