Helmet no, but vest defiantly when I go a bit offshore, big swell or big wind or really shallow water, sand hurts when you land on it.
I wear an impact vest, and started wearing a helmet when I used a board leash (I know, I know...) - but now it just part of the standard gear!
I wear both when foiling. I was thinking recently of dropping the helmet for aesthetics (all photos of me on the water look lame) but decided not to after seeing what happens to a body when colliding with a tree recently at Melville 
I used to wear a vest on big days.
Thought it would protect me if i got pounded by a big wave.
Turns out i got even more pounded because i couldn't duck dive under a set when my kite had crashed.
No more vest.
I rock vest and helmet and have done since day 1, It doesn't feel the same kiting without them.
Are impact vests and PFD's the same thing or are impact vests more for impact and less for flotation??
I bought an Impact vest after breaking a rib from boosting huge and crashing hard - But Ive found that its a PITA to wear with a waist harness - it just doesn't fit without riding up under my chin despite the 'cutout' for the harness hook - so I have a near new vest sitting gathering dust - As for the helmet - I have a Gath which I wear if I want my gopro for the session (rarely now cuz I just can be bothered editing all of the crap out!! ) - or when the surf is big as wearing the board in the head in a wipeout is a real possibility !
Oh and I should mention yes almost all impact vests add a degree of flotation which can be handy - unless you are trying to duckdive under a wave !! But to my knowledge non of them are rated to cover off the 'legal requirement' for a flotation device if you are kiting off the beach....
Recently back to a helmet, after using one as a beginner. I don't notice it on my head at all apart from having to use less sunscreen due to the visor.
Select to expand quoteLambie said..
I bought an Impact vest after breaking a rib from boosting huge and crashing hard - But Ive found that its a PITA to wear with a waist harness - it just doesn't fit without riding up under my chin despite the 'cutout' for the harness hook - so I have a near new vest sitting gathering dust - As for the helmet - I have a Gath which I wear if I want my gopro for the session (rarely now cuz I just can be bothered editing all of the crap out!! ) - or when the surf is big as wearing the board in the head in a wipeout is a real possibility !
Oh and I should mention yes almost all impact vests add a degree of flotation which can be handy - unless you are trying to duckdive under a wave !! But to my knowledge non of them are rated to cover off the 'legal requirement' for a flotation device if you are kiting off the beach....
Oh yep, cheers for clarifying, so if you needed a PFD for the Lighthouse to Leighton for example an impact vest wouldn't cut it.
Yup a helmet for sure ..
I started learning without a helmet a few years ago but I have had so many near misses with kites/lines & boards and just plain lucky I didnt get hit that after the first season I got a helmet and have wore it ever since ... Plus when kiting on reef or shallow water or with a surfboard I cant go past it... I wear a bball cap under and voila better sun protection so I don't need the sunnies anymore ...
still researching vests and want to get one that wont ride up or get in the way of the harness .. more for impact than float..
my 2c..
Both, I have had a few big crashes were i think i should have been worse off but may be they have both helped soften the impact on body and head. Don't bother in light wind but.
Not all impact vests are safety flotation devices, and vice versa.
If shopping around, for WA rules it must be at least be 50S PFD
www.transport.wa.gov.au/mediaFiles/marine/MAC-B-KiteWindsurfingSafetyEquipC.pdf
For the likes of foiling/boosting... make sure the impact vest has side impact protection as well.. Many impact vest do front & back but not enough padding on the side were we typically need it.
All these are impact/50S PFDS
prowake.com.au/collections/vests
Good example is the Ripcurl E-bomb/Dawn Patrol models have almost no side impact protection where the Flashbomb has heaps.
Quite a few WA foilers use the Flashbomb,
good topic, very helpful
going to start wearing one, when kiting remoter reefs and spots
arthritic shoulders = not good for swimming , some flotation required as well
Both, most of the time. I've had near misses in 14kn as well as 25kn. Helmet only comes off for the occasional photo :-)
both since I bought a foil
just got a Gath cos I blew out my eardrum the last session at Woodies
I blew out my ear drum 3 weeks ago after big crash. How long did yours take to heal?
its bloody horrible hey.
Yes, quite strange when you hold your nose and blow air out of your ear.
I perforated my right ear drum 30 years ago and within a few days it had sealed.
Thanks for the link MaXVMG ... When I looked at the Ripcurl Flashbomb it's got the strap at stomach level .. has anyone used that and would it feel uncomfortable or get in the way of a waist harness?? I like the idea and am keen to get one but would like to get input from someone that's used it ..
Cheers
Vest yes! But mostly for flotation when kiting a ways offshore. If something is to ever go down, having enough float on your body can make life sooo much easier while your sorting things out. It could save your life.
In terms of floatation, nothing too extreme is needed. Some impact vests are better than others for this.
