New Posts New Posts RSS Feed: Kiteboard Impact Vests
  FAQ FAQ  Forum Search   Register Register  Login Login

Kiteboard Impact Vests
 Post Reply Post Reply Page  <12
Author
  Share Topic Share Topic  Topic Search Topic Search  Topic Options Topic Options
Rupert View Drop Down
Really should get out more
Really should get out more


Joined: 11 Aug 04
Location: Whitefriars sc
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 8956 		Post Options Post Options   Quote Rupert Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Topic: Kiteboard Impact Vests
    Posted: 25 Oct 13 at 3:12pm
The major difference between a dinghy and a kiteboard, say, is the amount of clobber to get bashed on as it all goes wrong. Of course, you can turn this around and say that it is more stuff to get caught on and trapped, but I suspect being knocked on the head and then falling in in a woozy state is more common.

I do agree that the thing about HAVING to wear BA's whatever the weather, even when the risk is smaller than that of heatstroke, and you are only a few yards from shore, is a pita. For most occasions, I'm fine with it. The impact vests I remember selling years ago were about 30N, and back in the mid 90's were considered by most windsurfers as something that only scardy cats would wear - real windsurfers wouldn't be seen dead in them. We didn't sell many - dinghy BA's must have out sold them 100 to 1.
Firefly 2324, Puffin 229, Minisail 3446 Mirror 70686
Back to Top
iGRF View Drop Down
Really should get out more
Really should get out more
Avatar

Joined: 07 Mar 11
Location: Hythe
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 6499 		Post Options Post Options   Quote iGRF Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 25 Oct 13 at 3:25pm
Rupert, it' not scaredy cats, it's the simple fact the folk don't like being trapped under the sail which happens frequently and the only way out is down.

I also would point to dinghies with my irrational fear of ropes around my legs brought on from a childhood weed around legs near drowning incident and suggest more folk probably die from being caught up in stuff than other accidents and as for being hit on the head why no helmet rule, I won't go out without one when it's windy and I have quite literally lost count of the blows to my head and temple that have stunned me sailing these bloody death traps.

Kites have lines that you can get caught up in with as disastrous consequences as any trapeze or shroud, possibly more so it they happen to engage with a finger or an ear and whip it clean off.
Snow Equipment Deals    New Core Kite website
Back to Top
Medway Maniac View Drop Down
Really should get out more
Really should get out more
Avatar

Joined: 13 May 05
Location: United Kingdom
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 2788 		Post Options Post Options   Quote Medway Maniac Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 25 Oct 13 at 4:22pm
Thanks Grumph.

I've nothing against helmets, and indeed always wear head protection, having finally tired of scalping myself.  I bought one of these:

But when the fabric fell apart, I put the hard liner into my regular baseball cap (after a bit of re-shaping with a hot air gun to fit it closer round my head).

I don't, hoever, think helmets should be mandatory.  When it is open to question what is the safest approach, it should be left to the individual what they do (so long as they do something and aren't just being macho/lazy); our life belongs to us, not the state, notwithstanding how it may sometimes appear...
Wilsonian SC
3000 Class
Back to Top
L123456 View Drop Down
Really should get out more
Really should get out more


Joined: 30 Apr 12
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 500 		Post Options Post Options   Quote L123456 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 25 Oct 13 at 5:29pm
Originally posted by Medway Maniac

...our life belongs to us, not the state

To an extent ... but if you get into problems it is others that are put at risk to come to your aid ...
Back to Top
Medway Maniac View Drop Down
Really should get out more
Really should get out more
Avatar

Joined: 13 May 05
Location: United Kingdom
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 2788 		Post Options Post Options   Quote Medway Maniac Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 25 Oct 13 at 6:23pm
Originally posted by L123456

Originally posted by Medway Maniac

...our life belongs to us, not the state

To an extent ... but if you get into problems it is others that are put at risk to come to your aid ...

But they don't get to choose the rules either.  

If they agree with my opinion but are forced to help when I'm entrapped or unable to get on the board to right the boat thanks to my b.a., they would also have reasons to complain.

Like I said, in cases where it isn't clear which is the best option - or maybe better put: where the best option might vary from occasion to occasion...
Wilsonian SC
3000 Class
Back to Top
rolo2 View Drop Down
Newbie
Newbie
Avatar

Joined: 03 Sep 08
Location: United Kingdom
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 10 		Post Options Post Options   Quote rolo2 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 28 Oct 13 at 4:43pm
I have every sympathy and too much practice in getting to the board. Several years ago we managed over 20 capsizes in a single race of one disastrous Medway Regatta. 

To ease getting about the boat I now wear a shorty over everything (harness/BA). In addition to keeping the BA out of the way it is also a handy place to store a can or two and a Boost...
Back to Top
winging it View Drop Down
Really should get out more
Really should get out more
Avatar

Joined: 22 Mar 07
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 3958 		Post Options Post Options   Quote winging it Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 28 Oct 13 at 5:11pm
I bought a gill compressor ba for jus tthis reason and it makes quite a difference.  
the same, but different...

Back to Top
Medway Maniac View Drop Down
Really should get out more
Really should get out more
Avatar

Joined: 13 May 05
Location: United Kingdom
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 2788 		Post Options Post Options   Quote Medway Maniac Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 28 Oct 13 at 6:04pm
Originally posted by winging it

I bought a gill compressor ba for jus tthis reason and it makes quite a difference.  

That's interesting to know.  I could see the Gill was a step in the right direction, but wondered if it was far enough.  The kiteboard impact vests seemed to go to the logical conclusion.
Wilsonian SC
3000 Class
Back to Top
winging it View Drop Down
Really should get out more
Really should get out more
Avatar

Joined: 22 Mar 07
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 3958 		Post Options Post Options   Quote winging it Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 28 Oct 13 at 7:33pm
I noticed significant difference between it and my usual BA which is a skiff style over the ehad thing.  Put a rash top over it and I reckon you'd be much better off.
the same, but different...

Back to Top
Bootscooter View Drop Down
Really should get out more
Really should get out more
Avatar

Joined: 15 May 07
Location: United Kingdom
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 1094 		Post Options Post Options   Quote Bootscooter Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 28 Oct 13 at 9:51pm
The Yoof and I always now sail with a sleeveless Rooster lycra thingy over the top of everything. I couldn't forgive myself if something happened to him and we/I hadn't taken all sensible precautions.
We don't wear specialist head protection (other than that afforded by wooly hats/caps) as we don't tend to hit our heads on anything (I know... it could only take the one time...), but my theory is that we've both grown up in boats since quite early childhood, and just don't have it as an issue.
Back to Top
 Post Reply Post Reply Page  <12

Forum Jump Forum Permissions View Drop Down

Bulletin Board Software by Web Wiz Forums® version 9.665y
Copyright ©2001-2010 Web Wiz
Change your personal settings, or read our privacy policy