READING THE MOST RECCENT ACCIDENT W/ THE PRO RIDER... THIS ROOKIE WONTS TO KNOW A GOOD SIGHT FOR IMPACT VEST... OR IF ANY YOU HAVE A USED VEST... IM 165LBS 32INCH WASTE AND ID SAY IM A MEDEUM BUILD...ALSO IF I FIND A VEST WHAT IS A DECENT PRICE.... ITS HARD TO PUT A PRICE ON SAFETY..
ANY IDEAS OUT THERE FRIENDS...?
THANKS STEVE

Providing you use a seat harness get a Neil Pryde 5000 series impact vest. They are the best IMO although a bit expensive (approx. £90). You won't even know you've hit the water!

THANKS... THE HARNESS I JUST BAUGHT LAST NIGHT IS A 2001 WIPIKA.. BUT NOT A SEAT HARNESS.. THANKS FOR YOUR INPUT!

How are you good i hope .
I use a old wind surfing life vest,I got it from a friend it works real. i should real be using a large but it is a m and because it is smaller on me it real only works as a impact vest more so then a life vest but i think that if i get knonk out on the water it would hold me up enough.But You know your kite well all was hole you up out of the water and when it is down you are going to have do some swimming so dont get something to biggg,There now that is my contrdution .

Skibum,
http://www.kitehigh.com sells the airush impact vest for like 80 us dollars with shipping. I have it and I like it a lot, it also helps you float, and it has one pocket in the front to put stuff and a big pocket in the back too, both with heavy duty zippers. I would get the medium, the large is too big, it is the one they sent me, I sewed some extra velcro on so it would close tighter.
Andres

This product combines the ultimate in impact protection with a U.S. Coast Guard approved F.F.D. (personal flotation device) It does not interfere with your harness. You'll be dang near bullet proof and sink proof, too. Ive been using it about a year and love it. The "pads" on the front and back are 2 1/2" t h i c k . Also at this link find Da Kine Seat Harness. Great product including emergency knife and emergency handle on back.

http://kiteworld.net/lifejackets-pfds.html

OOPS... OK NICE THAT HELPS.. HOWEVER I CALLED AND TALK WITH KITEHIGH.. APPARENTLY THE VEST DOES ALSO PROVIDE A LITTLE MORE FLOTATION... HOWEVER HERE IN COLORADO AT ARE LAKES 9-10 OF THEM INSIST MUST HAVE A US COAST GAURD APROVED LIFE VEST.. SO MY ? NOW WOULD BE IS THERE A IMPACT/LIFEVEST WITH THAT APROVAL RATING...ALSO IF NOT W/ A VEST AND A LIFE VEST IS THAT GOING TO BE SO BULKEY IT WOULD LIMIT MOVEMENT....
AGAIN ILL TAKE ALL THE HELP I CAN GET !!
THANKS STEVE

'Sup Ski-bum? I'm the annonymous guy that left the previous reply on this subject. The Stolquist PFD I was telling you about IS indeed U.S. Coast Guard approved as a flotation device. It does not interfere with movement or your harness. I've been using one for about a year and am very happy with it. There, you'll find a link to the shop where I bought mine. The lesser priced one is also available in black. If you have further questions about this product, let me know or give Kiteworld a call on their toll phree number. Good luck, Steve~

phree

The NSI vest works great as well...
http://www.tristatekites.com/cgi-bin/pr ... dName=vest