So who has one? I used to have one about 20 years ago for my first trip to Indo. Left it in London as it was too much hassle to cart around.
A while back when Chrispy got that fin chop it got me thinking about getting one. Then there a string of other incidents that made me think about it and I went and tried a few on. Could not decide between the L and XL. So did nothing. Last week I tried another one on. And then this week both Chrispy and LL get towelled up.
Give the recent influx of more close calls (esp at this time of the year) but more so just wanting to protect the nogan from my own board - I want to get one. So if anyone has any advice re the fitting of them it would be much appreciated.
Still can not decide what size I should get. Do you want them a bit loose or super tight? Is the sun visor worth it or a gimmick?
I have been wearing a hat to protect me from the sun the last 3 months and it still annoys me. Its weird having that big brim when you hit the water - its like you do not pierce it properly and the noise can annoy me. Is the Gath going to cause me these problems as well?
i bought one and still have not wore it.... considering i have been run over three times and my mishap this morning maybe i should. a super cool bloke at the spit has worn one for 15years and he loves it...i have no answer why i have not. i might start doing it since mt head is ****ed
ther was a good thread in the 666 room not long ago about them
Get it tighter rather than looser. It does fill with water when you wipe out so if it's too loose it will be like a parachute on your head.
Select to expand quoteCtngoodvibes said..
Get it tighter rather than looser. It does fill with water when you wipe out so if it's too loose it will be like a parachute on your head.
thanks Capatin. But how tight is tight? The L feels like it might give me a headache. It's not like some pair of shoes that are leather and will give you some room to move as they get worn in I imagine
Chrispy - ????? 
I have been wearing one for about 18 months now and can honestly say I don't even notice it . The sun visor is great keeps the face from getting sunburnt . I do surf in a surf hat sometimes when the suns out and the surfs small - know what you mean about the brim being annoying . The sun visor dont even notice it - sometimes do need to adjust it after a big stack otherwise no dramas .
I have the surf convertible - covers the ears which is great for me in winter .
in regards to size , mine is a tight fit . I bought mine on line thought I found a size chart somewhere and went off that . Will see if I can track it down for you .
reckon mine has saved me twice from cracks on the head . One on a pretty small day when I almost didn't bother putting it on .
Select to expand quoteTassiedevel said..
I have been wearing one for about 18 months now and can honestly say I don't even notice it . The sun visor is great keeps the face from getting sunburnt . I do surf in a surf hat sometimes when the suns out and the surfs small - know what you mean about the brim being annoying . The sun visor dont even notice it - sometimes do need to adjust it after a big stack otherwise no dramas .
I have the surf convertible - covers the ears which is great for me in winter .
in regards to size , mine is a tight fit . I bought mine on line thought I found a size chart somewhere and went off that . Will see if I can track it down for you .
reckon mine has saved me twice from cracks on the head . One on a pretty small day when I almost didn't bother putting it on .
is this riding a 666 or a prone board. just asking as it is a big difference in how user comfort would be imo
Riding both crispy . Really don't notice I am wearing it even diving through the waves the only major drama is the visor pushing down into my line of vision .
with sizing I went off the sizing chart on the gath website , from memory I was between the medium and large and went the medium - felt pretty tight when I first got it but fits great .
have given mine no aftercare at all -( bit slack of me ) but had no dramas after using it pretty much daily for the last 18 months
have to admit when I first started wearing mine did feel pretty weird ( with ear covers on blocks out a bit of sound ) but now like I said don't notice it
Select to expand quoteTassiedevel said..
Riding both crispy . Really don't notice I am wearing it even diving through the waves the only major drama is the visor pushing down into my line of vision .
with sizing I went off the sizing chart on the gath website , from memory I was between the medium and large and went the medium - felt pretty tight when I first got it but fits great .
have given mine no aftercare at all -( bit slack of me ) but had no dramas after using it pretty much daily for the last 18 months
have to admit when I first started wearing mine did feel pretty weird ( with ear covers on blocks out a bit of sound ) but now like I said don't notice it
thanks for that. might go renegade and start wearing mine like i should
I probably would never have got one if it wasn't for the missus putting her foot down .For the first few weeks it will feel a bit weird .
I've often thought about getting one when I go on some of those solo surfs at quieter beaches down south.
At the end of the day I think it's more of an ego thing that more of us don't wear them, just like when bike helmets first came out, now they're the norm.
Select to expand quotevanders1 said..
I've often thought about getting one when I go on some of those solo surfs at quieter beaches down south.
At the end of the day I think it's more of an ego thing that more of us don't wear them, just like when bike helmets first came out, now they're the norm.
yep on the money....and im stoopid....i have been known to even leave my boardies at home
I have had a fleeting thought about them but I just didn't like the closed in feeling when I tried one on - purely & nothing else
Select to expand quote
vanders1 said..
I've often thought about getting one when I go on some of those solo surfs at quieter beaches down south.
At the end of the day I think it's more of an ego thing that more of us don't wear them, just like when bike helmets first came out, now they're the norm.
This is why I wear a Gath since wearing one I have been hit on the head twice by my own 666 both times , the first time would have been game over had I not been wearing cracked the Gath and I saw stars but remained conscious It only has to happen once when your not wearing and your buggered . Of course some might say reframe from riding a 666 which I try to do .
Select to expand quotetowball said..
vanders1 said..
I've often thought about getting one when I go on some of those solo surfs at quieter beaches down south.
At the end of the day I think it's more of an ego thing that more of us don't wear them, just like when bike helmets first came out, now they're the norm.
This is why I wear a Gath since wearing one I have been hit on the head twice by my own 666 both times , the first time would have been game over had I not been wearing cracked the Gath and I saw stars but remained conscious It only has to happen once when your not wearing and your buggered . Of course some might say reframe from riding a 666 which I try to do .
Geez you're a handsome bastard that's a scar of honour chief 
take more than that to bowl you over champion 
Select to expand quotethePup said..towball said..
vanders1 said..
I've often thought about getting one when I go on some of those solo surfs at quieter beaches down south.
At the end of the day I think it's more of an ego thing that more of us don't wear them, just like when bike helmets first came out, now they're the norm.
This is why I wear a Gath since wearing one I have been hit on the head twice by my own 666 both times , the first time would have been game over had I not been wearing cracked the Gath and I saw stars but remained conscious It only has to happen once when your not wearing and your buggered . Of course some might say reframe from riding a 666 which I try to do .
Geez you're a handsome bastard that's a scar of honour chief take more than that to bowl you over champion
I see you still bullSh!t a bit these days pup
Select to expand quotetowball said..thePup said.. towball said..
vanders1 said..
I've often thought about getting one when I go on some of those solo surfs at quieter beaches down south.
At the end of the day I think it's more of an ego thing that more of us don't wear them, just like when bike helmets first came out, now they're the norm.
This is why I wear a Gath since wearing one I have been hit on the head twice by my own 666 both times , the first time would have been game over had I not been wearing cracked the Gath and I saw stars but remained conscious It only has to happen once when your not wearing and your buggered . Of course some might say reframe from riding a 666 which I try to do .
Geez you're a handsome bastard that's a scar of honour chief take more than that to bowl you over champion
I see you still bullSh!t a bit these days pup ..... come on champion - don't be so modest chickmagnet akin to THE ASEA one
Thanks for all the replies fellas. I am going to get one today. Now it just leaves me with that most crucial of all decisions - what colour to get
TD - did you go with this one? What about you TB? What helmet saved you from more nasty stuff?
http://www.gathsports.com/productsingle.php?id=5
No useful input but I bought one when in Bali, wore it once, got hit in the head by a Japanese lady.
Never wore it again till I was in Maldives, I got hit by the lb in the arm surfing waves I shouldn't have been on an LB so wore it next surf. Got hit in the head again?
So either made 2 perfectly timed decision or the thing had a magnet in it.
Never wore it since and now my nephew use it as a Star Wars helmet.
Select to expand quoteTed the Kiwi said..
Thanks for all the replies fellas. I am going to get one today. Now it just leaves me with that most crucial of all decisions - what colour to get
don't get black Ted...you will fry your brain...they get hot....and get the visor....good shade
Thanks arkgee. So I am ordering the Gath SFC Surf Convertible in red with the visor. Sorted.
Select to expand quoteTed the Kiwi said..
Thanks arkgee. So I am ordering the Gath SFC Surf Convertible in red with the visor. Sorted.
you will look like your waiting to get shot out of a cannon
Yep that's the one ted , mines yellow ,
99.99 percent of the time most of us know where our boards are so the helmet really serves no function ( except for keeping the sun off your head and the ears warm )
I appreciate mine when I have no idea where my board is - whether it's up in the air above me , or in the wave somewhere with me .
would have been interesting if I had had a visor on the day I copped a paddle in the face not sure if it would have saved me or shattered .
Select to expand quotetowball said...
Th
They don't say pretty for ever Ted
Tb your not suppose to wear them like a shoe
Select to expand quotelaceys lane said..towball said...
Th
They don't say pretty for ever Ted
Tb your not suppose to wear them like a shoe
I'll give you $50. if you get photo of Macaha surfing with one
Was wearing one and got pitched head first into the reef about 15 years ago. The helmet had deep gouges all down it. It wouldn't have been pretty if I wasn't wearing it.
Select to expand quotetowball said..
They don't say pretty for ever Ted
I think thats a pretty good justification for wearing one ! ! !
I just got back from my second surf and wore my wide brimmed hat - bloody annoying - restricts field of vision and just feels all wrong and off balance. Lets hope the Gath goes better.
