Lifejacket or no lifejacket?

celly · **Posted:** Thu May 31, 2012 6:18 pm

I'm new to kiting and have been out 4-5 times... Love the sport! Am I being reckless for not wearing a lifejacket? I have many of them but none that seem to be harness compatible. I am kiting in fairly safe conditions, 10-20knots, and mostly shallow water.. What are your thoughts? Do you ride with or without one?

MattyRossJa · **Posted:** Thu May 31, 2012 6:24 pm

i've just started using one , an impact vest cuz i'm doing more jumps and tricks practising etc.

this is the one i'm using , tends to ride up sometimes , so i may remove a couple of the padding sections to make it more compatible with the harness

http://www.google.com.jm/imgres?um=1&hl ... 7,s:0,i:82

14ToeSide · **Joined:** Sun Nov 27, 2011 12:16 am **Posts:** 429

Been wearing one since 1999 kiting in Ocean. 2 many things can happen. Saves energy if something goes wrong. Have O'Neil soft jacket. Hardly know its on. :happybirthday:

celly · **Posted:** Thu May 31, 2012 7:17 pm

Also..... If you like your jacket share the make and model please! Link would be great too

Kirok · **Posted:** Thu May 31, 2012 7:27 pm

Neil Pryde High Hook.
Front Cargo Pocket, designed to be worn with a harness. It also has an extra option to connect a water bag on the back with a tube. This is real nice in hot weather.

Kirk

davesails7 · **Joined:** Sun Apr 01, 2007 7:36 pm **Posts:** 696

I always wear one. It's less of an issue with a seat harness than a waist harness. Mine is made by Extrasport. The paddling ones don't go down nearly as far as the standard wakeboarding/jetski lifejackets.

From what I've seen, over 90% of kiters don't wear a lifejacket. A lot of people overestimate how far they can swim.

windsurfer-resurrection · **Posted:** Thu May 31, 2012 7:46 pm

Always were a life jacket. Neilypryde high hook.

frankm1960 · **Joined:** Sun Feb 04, 2007 10:48 pm **Posts:** 1226

I wear a PFD for deep water sessions. I'll sometimes not wear one in shallow waters. I have a old windsurfing Neilpryde pfd which works surprisingly ok with my waist harness.

It's nice to have the extra floatation in deep water just in case and it does help break the wind a bit in colder days. There's some extra cushion as well which could come in handy.

They're worth it to me.

MUDSUX · **Joined:** Sat Jun 21, 2008 5:24 am **Posts:** 90

I look like an idiot but I wear one, and a helmet. Even in the Slick where it is only 4 feet deep. I have this one. It is shorter so it does not interfere with my hook. It has adjustable shoulder and waist strap. And includes a whistle in the pocket. Many people use kayaking vest.

http://www.westmarine.com/webapp/wcs/st ... sNum=50477

celly · **Posted:** Thu May 31, 2012 8:55 pm

Pockets could come in handy!

Lifejacket or no lifejacket?

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