Impact/Flotation Vests

[cgoudie1]

Or, stop jumping like an 18 year old, ya old geezer ;*)

-Craig

[isobars]

Every cracked rib I've had or heard about in WSing was caused by falling onto the boom. Big air is perfectly safe ... until you land.

[schweitzer]

My cracked rib was not from the boom.
Trying to hang on too long,
I forced the mast down,
submerging the board,
fell forward over the now free floating nose,
popping out of the water into my ribs! ouch!
So the vest I got is for kiting and
has a skirt that my harness goes over.
It is made by Mystic.
I see that one is now made again.
When you first try one on,
It will seem too small, but
when you use it it will be OK
It is like wearing a jacket,
Warm even in North Idaho Water.
Light on float, good protection.
well balanced with the whole gearset,
so swimming is not a problem.

[johnnycrash]

Shop.naish.com
Still has the defender impact vest that you tried on at Leo -Steven for sale for $62 in the xl size that WE need
Hey how is that storm treating you there in Maui?
You are not missing anything at home...

[LeeD]

I cracked a rib wearing a float jacket (14 lbs floatation instead of 17 lbs PFD) sailing along and hitting a swell with my body. Just stood up, jibed, crawled to shore at Crissy and left the gear at the lapping shoreline.
Doctor JohnChild's was there, saw me spit some blood, and ordered me to the E room.
Of course, I didn't listen, which is why I'm the loonie toon I am today.
Those days, around '89, I was still competitive in speed with Victor Zuffla.

[LeeD]

Personally, I wouldn't choose to surf sail with a floatation device, and I mean the partials that float 14 lbs.
As mentioned, plenty of cases where you're in the impact zone, trying to sink the tip of your mast, and the floatation jacket would help the wave lift you up and over your mast/sail, destroying your mast base and impailing your body.
And you gotta duck under waves over 4' in height. That's 6' faces.

[tramontana00]

For ribs protection and no flotation check out karting rib vests:

http://www.k1racegear.com/kart-racing/rib-vests/k1-racegear-rib-vest-k1-race-gear-pro-rib-protector.html

Karters hit hard edge of the seat in the rib area when driving over curbs. This one is very flexible and small in size yet providing great rib protection. Fairly inexpensive too.

[MalibuGuru]

Spennie, thanks for the offer, I may take you up on it.

I just got back from Maui Johnny! It was scary for a couple of days! BTW, I just called Naish on that harness and they (HONEST GUY!) says their defender harness would not work for windsurfing. Naish highly recommend buying the Dakine Surface Vest. Interesting, and thanks for the lead!

SWC, I'd like to find the best vest that is inconspicuous, helps get me to the surface, yet allows me to get out of the way if needed. I know the pros use them when they windsurf, (in conjunction with jet ski's) if they are on BIG waves. The question is, would it help me in mast high surf, or harm me? (since I don't have a jet ski!) I'm just not the man I used to be...

Thanks everybody. Great ideas that are leading to a better solution.

[scottwerden]

You don't see much body armor worn in Maui, not even helmets. And the windsurfing crowd is pretty, er, uh, mature. As in old farts. Not sure if it is the warm water or what, but there is definitely a different attitude about protection on the mainland than Maui. The odd thing is, I hear about more people dying while sailing on the mainland than on Maui, not counting sharks of course.

Just an observation..

[MalibuGuru]

True Scott, but if you go to their homes, the pros all have them hanging in their garages. Probably very rarely used from what I've seen over there too. I wonder if it's the lifeguards on jet skis that make all those grey hairs fearless.