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Hi

The problem we are having is finding a decent impact vest and PFD, which also works well with a kiteboarding harness.

Both Cabrinha and DaKine (and others) are now making combined impact vest and harnesses, but so far they do not provide PFD type III flotation.

Having spent much time searching the kiteboarding and wakeboarding shops, it still seems the only option available to kiteboarders who want impact protection and flotation is to purchase a wakeboarding vest. The down side to this is that invariably the harness does not fit properly, and the spreader bar becomes partially obscured by the vest.

If any one knows of a combined impact / PFD / harness for kiteboarding I would love to hear about it. In the mean time, the kiteboarding manufactures would do well to take a look at our local kite beaches and note the number of people now wearing wakeboard type impact / PDF vests. Surely there is enough of a demand now to have a combined vest for kiting.

Anybody else had the same problem? What do you now use?


<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: redsc1 on 2002-12-15 22:51 ]</font>

<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: redsc1 on 2002-12-15 22:53 ]</font>

I just bought the Rip curl vest. I tried it in the shop with my Dakine waist harness to make sure it would work. The vest is thin (no padding) around the waist so the harness fits quite nicely over it. Had a session today and it's a nice vest. Didn't even know it was there.

Hi Windman

Can you let me know what model the Rip Curl and DaKine harness were, I would be interested in trying them. Thanks

On 2002-12-16 00:51, redsc1 wrote:
Hi Windman

Can you let me know what model the Rip Curl and DaKine harness were, I would be interested in trying them. Thanks

Sure the vest is the Ripcurl Core Stealth the harness is Dakine Pyro. The vest has decent padding and is very pliable. Like I said before there is no padding in the waist area so the harness fits over the top. I think I may cut off the vest buckle it's kinda in the way and doesn't do much.

First of all, definitely a necessity! - I mean, to wear one...

I have been using the GUL impact vest from the beginning on. It fits very nicely on the body (and cannot actually get spotted) and I am able to put my DaKine Pyro waist harness over it without a problem since it is rather thin.

There have been a couple on occasions, where I thought that I was very lucky to have it on after crashing on the side....

Anyway, the thing is that the vest should be long enough to offer protection almost up to the hips and not to leave the belly uncovered...



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