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Life vest

Forum with lots of safety info - a must for newbees
Aleph
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Life vest

Postby Aleph » Tue Mar 04, 2008 12:02 pm

Hi,

yesterday my kite bailed out on my (QR accidentally released and safety chord broke) while I was out in some heavy surf (water is about 6 C / 42 F right now) and I had to fight my way back to the shore. Wasn't that bad and I'm a pretty good swimmer, but still it made me realize that I should have had a life vest, especially in such cold waters, also because the current can get quite bad.

So, essentially, I'm looking for a life vest, with decent flotation. I've seen a lot of discussions about impact vests also having some flotation, but I'm really looking at a lifevest that give me a decent amount of flotation, especially in the surf and colder waters.

What decently wearable vest/jacket are you wearing, what would you recommend. I frequently wear some of the sailing jackets (that inflate if you pull the little tab/tap), which are quite okay and ideally would like to have something lean.

thanks,
Alef

stvandev
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Re: Life vest

Postby stvandev » Tue Mar 04, 2008 5:51 pm

Maybe look at a paddling pfd. I use a Lotus (patagonia) Lowrider (pretty sure it's not available anymore) that works fine with my waist harness as long as the shoulder straps are tight. Unrestricted movement and not too bulky...

jens_buhl
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Re: Life vest

Postby jens_buhl » Fri Mar 07, 2008 12:03 am

Neil Pryde has the "High Hook" flotation/swim vest and it will also protect from impact due to the foam. The vest is 50N CE approwed. I have it my self in an Black/Grey color combination without the red.

Image

http://www.neilprydewaterwear.com/index ... d=8&node=1

Camaro also has a combined impact/flotation thing that will make you look like something "on steroides". Never seen it live and it could be okay, but probably not officially approved.

Image

Especially the second picture made me laugh (look at the harness orientation): :thumb:

Image

http://www.camaro.at/en/swimwear/start.htm

/Jens

Aleph
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Posts: 21
Joined: Wed Feb 06, 2008 10:18 pm
Local Beach: Muiderberg (Netherlands)
Stichtse Brug (Netherlands)
Wijk aan Zee (Netherlands)
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Favorite Beaches: Beauduc (FR)
Le Morne (MRU)
Gear: Gaastra Jekyll 08 8sqm
Gaastra Jekyll 08 14sqm
Cabrinha SB2 12sqm
Naish Haze 133
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Location: Utrecht, Netherlands
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Re: Life vest

Postby Aleph » Fri Mar 07, 2008 12:40 am

jens_buhl wrote:Especially the second picture made me laugh (look at the harness orientation)
:D

Thanks Jens for the info. That's precisely what I need... It seems like both are not too bulky.

I have to go my local shop on Saturday to have my bar repaired and then I'll also ask what they available...

Cheers from the other side of the bridge (Malmo)

Don Monnot
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Re: Life vest

Postby Don Monnot » Thu Aug 28, 2008 3:35 am

Looks like a good vest, but do you have to be gay and wear your harness upside down to use it?

Don


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