Lifejackets

[Lowesdown]

Thoughts and comments, and go!

[tweegster]

I wear an impact/flotation vest depending on conditions and location and temperature. I consider myself a strong swimmer, but it is silly to not wear one if you cannot easily return to shore. Plus, they are really warm.

I could be wrong, but technically we should be wearing a PFD no? I have heard that SUPers have been getting ticketed.

[Lowesdown]

I was thinking a PFD would be the safer way to go... but can't really find any for windsurfing...

this might work: http://www.mec.ca/product/5019-272/mec-fulcrum-pfd-unisex/?Ntk=productsearch_en_q32008&h=10&q=pfd

[Richi]

I think that MEC vest would be too long and and bulky at the bottom, especially if your wearing a waist harness. Regular PFDs stick out too much and make it very difficult to get into your harness lines. These two seem to be the most popular ones around, a few guys in town have them, maybe you can try them on for fit and order online. Or a good reason to go to Hood river shopping, safety first

http://www.bigwinds.com/kite/category/46/product/1282

http://www.wetsuit.com/New_Buoyancy_and ... Vests.html

[Slappy]

I always wear an impact vest with a good bit of buoyancy in the top section, I use the older version of this:

http://liquidforcekites.com/product/vests/supreme-vest/

The Dakine Surface is a good choice for high floatation vests too:

http://ca.dakine.com/p/kite/harnesses/surface-vest

None of these are CGA though, you really don't need full CGA floatation.

[tweegster]

I The Dakine Surface is a good choice for high floatation vests too:

http://ca.dakine.com/p/kite/harnesses/surface-vest

None of these are CGA though, you really don't need full CGA floatation.

That's what I got, I don't know if I would buy it for the 9,999.99 MSRP listed above

3 things... I wish I had not bought black, the zipper always seems to drop and come undone after a long session & all the flotation moved to one side of the vest after I left it in my hot car.

Other than that, it is warm, provides plenty of floatation and fits well under the belt. Yes, CGA does not factor a wetsuit which combined provides plenty of float.

One downside to consider is Lifejackets & pfd's are designed to roll you to your back if you are unconscious, which a impact vest will not do.