OK,
anyone use a PFD or floatation vest (like the tow surfers use) when kiting ?
Any recommendations about what works well and doesn't intefere with the chicken loop / safety releases on a waist harness ??
The best bet is to try some on. I don't like the idea of having to wear one but with the new laws we have in SA it is only a matter of time until it gets enforced and we will have to get one. As well as the matter of it not interfering with the chicken loop, i also don't like the buckles, they just look like one more place to get tangled.
Towards the end of last season i saw a couple i think they were LF and Mystic, not 100% sure but i think we will be seeing more on the market soon. The ones i saw were just like a impact vest but had the PFD rating on it.
r u serious about it becoming law in SA? -what a joke. as if any1 would take that seriously. if they make it law here i'll wear 1 when hell freezes over. i hope surfers and swimmers will be required by law to wear one aswell. and while their at it they should be required to carry a flare and an epirb too.
I hope the law never comes in - IMO it should be down to the rider, but I have had a couple of impact vests and they did save me some of pain - particularly during the 'inadvertent kite loops while learning back rolls' period of my career 
! The first one wasn’t too good because it was basically wakeboard vest, and the harness would tend to push the vest way up around my neck / head. The second was a North, which had a cut-away section in the back to allow space for the harness, and no straps to get in the way, quite comfy.
So is anyone going to help out Rick with his question? I'm interested also. Trying on is useful but 1st hand experience is better.
The seabreeze post
www.kiteboarder.com.au/forums/Kitesurfing/South-Australia/PFD-compulsory-well-ill-be/
The law in writing, page 5
www.sa.gov.au/topics/driving-and-transport
I used a mystic vest with harness built in - it was comfortable but when the harness rode up so did the vest and it sucked a little then...
Might pinch one off the qantas plane next time I fly... small, light and deploy when required... plus it has a light and whistle for attracting attention 
PFD, although has some advantages in extreme situations, they are also a potential risk.
1. At a crash, they increase the risk of a whiplash, especially when combined with a heavy helmet.
2. They make it difficult to get through a bigger surf / shore break, and increase the risk of a total wipe-out.
3. Make swimming difficult.
The major advantage is in case of a death loop. They prevent submarineing, and that can save life.
So PFD is rather a personal choice, then a necessary safety equipment.
The example in SA shows what happens when outsiders regulate our sport.
I got this impact vest which is good to kite in. I got it when I was going to be a hero at cable park before realising that it's a really long way away and freakin expensive. Vest has mostly sat in my garage since. Its thin wear the harness sits.
(its not pdf rated but noticeably floaty, no brand, just good old 'made in china' tag)
I got it advertised on here if anyone wanted to know.
I have the mystic D30 impact vest. It does not carry a pfd rating but does provide bouyancy equivalent to at least type 3. They're super flexible and soft, and you can surf no problems in it. They're a zipperless vest that's compatible with a waist harness and still fits with a wetty on. It's that comfy, you want to put it on. You do however look like batman in it. I don't think they retail in oz anywhere.
p.s. They're small sizes. I'm a small waist harness; yet just squeeze into a medium vest.
@ pearl. Clearly you didn't know about, or couldn't afford a delux model like mine.
Hey Pearl,
I have a Mystic also (not like yours theres another model Mystic Sheild). I find that when wearing it the waist harness tends to sit up too high and affects your riding position. Therefore I don't wear it. Have you had the same problem with this type?
just go and buy a waterski wetsuit has it built in flotation . Short arm and leg comfy as and they have pfd rating on them .
how bulky is the waterski suit? Will I need to buy a larger size of board shorts to wear on the outside?
they are very simlar too normal suit . The floation stuff is in the top part of suit is about 6mm thick on ya tits and oval shape at the top of ya back ( where ya cant scach ya self) if ya want you could always sow in a protector cup from the sports shop too make you feel better .
http://www.kitepower.com.au/catalog/product_17670_NPX_Immortal_Vest_cat_316.html
They are made for kiting, have a hold down loop that goes under the hook so cab be worn with any waist harness. NOT rated, but easily have the flotation of a PFD3 vest.
Good price too IMO.
Almost all waterski vests are useless they are too bulky for use with a waist harness. PFD wetsuits are bulky and too hot in summer, and exxy.
Some waterski vests work with seat harnesses, but test try them on with your harness first before you blow hard earned on them.
Stupid, stupid law, we need to address this one at a national level AKSA?
. Perhaps AKSA could petition for this standard (if it comes to it) don't want to provoke the hornets nest right?
)
I tried the Mystic shield after breaking some ribs. Had it so it was nice and tight but still when on the water it came up around my neck and broken ribs are broken ribs.
So if any one wants one, only ever used once pm me
I've found the Mystic Razor good - its not too wide and fits above my waist harness. Its actually a flotation jacket (EN 393) not a life jacket but gives quite a bit of buoyancy.
True, and I hope that NPX do get them rated. Was told a couple of years ago that it cost around $60k to get vests rated
Another thing to consider though is that I've never been asked by the waterways people if my vest had the rating, they see me wearing one (in my boat) and they never come near me. I wear it all the time once I'm underway.
you can get a manual inflate one from whitworths for around $90...thats what I would go for. small uninflated non bouyant airtubes to keep the bully man happy. can blow up if needed.
