The hang time record was 8.89 seconds.
I don't know if it's broken.

Andy

I think there may be a limit to a helmet without the use of carbon fibre etc which would make it even more expensive. I think it also comes down to comfort and wearability. I could probably wear my hockey keeping helmet for kiting, and I can guarantee a board won't go though it, but comfort, the fact that I would look like an idiot, and the fact that it would probably be ripped off on the first impact effect that.

It may be damaged on impact, but as you said, consider the damage he would have had, had it not been for the helmet.

I have had a couple of knocks without injury, however, I would say a knock which is strong enough to break the helmet, is definitely more substantial than most.

I think the Gath is meant for surfing. Use a kayak helmet. They are better padded and half the cost, and built for impacts with rocks.

the gath is meant for surfing - meaning to protect your head against a longboard flipping over at you.

most people wear gath because it's the most comfortable helmet in the water.


anyone tried the pro-tec ace wake?
looks good, feels good, ears are free

I have always used the Protec Ace helmet. It fits very comfortably and I never even notice it. It has more padding and is probably stronger than the Gath. On the other hand, the Gath covers more of your head.
I recommend going to a kayak store to buy a helmet. They have much bigger selections of higher quality helmets than windsurfing stores offer.
The most important thing is to get one that's comfortable so that you will ALWAYS wear it.

Chris G

Can anybody provide us with a photo and/or a link to where to buy this helmet or the kayak helmets mentioned above? Thanks

I did a quick search for Protec Ace and found these websites with pictures:

http://www.caribecatalog.com/store/stor ... ory_id=489

http://www.hardheadedsports.com/protec- ... elmet.html

It is available in several colors and mine does not have the ear flaps shown in the picture. It is a very popular helmet and is probably the least expensive good helmet you can buy.

Chris G


<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: cglazier on 2002-09-02 06:32 ]</font>

Another area to watch out for when it comes to protection is ear cover.... so you don't burst your eardrums when hitting the water at high speed...

As for board leashes... I never ever use one now except for underpowered conditions where I may need to walk a bit.

RUST IN PEACE

I lost my board too often so I was quite happy not to spend all my power by searching my board with body dragging. But never ever use that dangerous bungee leash! Try to use a dog leash. It's cheep, you get it at any 7eleven and if the pull is to strong it well break which is good. The alternative is the Flysurfer system that cost about 20 times as much but it looks sexy.

Hang loose
andy

Thanks for the advice but I think the coil leash is not that dangerous. When the leash coils back after being extended it will never coil back fast enough to do any more harm than a standard leash. Don't you think?