The new Blast shield come with a few changes this year, an awesome new look and better integration of different materials. There is this new material down the sides that is so nice and stretchy which makes it super comfortable. The metalite weave works wonders in this garment, its so warm. You can really tell that the blast shield is made for windsurfers by windsurfers it has extra length so there is no more rashie riding up under your harness. It also has a pull string in the bottom seam to help stop this.
Great work wind warrior
I got mine a couple of weeks ago. I haven't used it yet but agree, they look awesome and the workmanship is first class. A real top quality Australian product.
Tozza, you can order via their web site. Delivery is very swift.
If you happen to live in Sydney or Gerladton you can go and see Sail West or Windsurf n Snow.
I have last years blast shield and find it does a better job than any other rashy I have ever owned. You can tell it was designed with windsurfing in mind.
The great thing is that you can wear it in summer as a sun/ impact protection. Then in winter wear it over the top of your wetsuit for that little bit of extra warmth.
The best $115 ever spent.
The Divas gave the Blastshields a good workout at Gnaraloo and it was a big thumbs up all round. So nice to be able to sail around in boardshorts and top for hours without getting cold from the wind like you do with a normal rashie.
Once on they have a nice fit and allow free movement of the arms.
Getting them off after a sessions can be a bit of a comedy but there always seems to be a willing soul around to help.
Nat
"The Windwarrior Speed Divas are sponsered by Windwarriors"
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"Getting them off after a sessions can be a bit of a comedy but there always seems to be a willing soul around to help." 
See, the GPS Team Challenge makes us happy sailer's 
There's a definite art to getting them off.
Due to the rubber backing on the metallite tending to want to stick to your skin (which helps maintain body heat) the best way we have found to get the BlastShield off is as follows:
- If you've got a BlastShield II unlock the waist toggle first !
- Cross your wrists over in front of you and grab the bottom of the BlastShield at the front of your hips
- In one smooth motion roll your wrists as you pull up from the bottom of the garment turning it inside out.
- As you peel the BlastShield up and inside out keep going in one smooth motion
- The aim is to get it up past your chest and then over your head all in one go
- If you stop halfway through the metallite material will pull back into shape which can pin your arms to your sides !
Some of our team riders and gear testers found this to be the perfect time to:
a) take off with someone else's windsurfing gear (Luke's infamous double loop attempt on someone else's board)
b) grab the pinned persons unopened beer for themselves
c) push the pinned person over
d) all of the above
Hope there's wind and waves heading your way
Gents, getting them off, easy as (this is from one who "suffers" graphically from a claustrophobia affect).
Watch you wife, girlfriend remove a valuable shirt and they don’t want too have the shirt come in contact with make-up on face. Then follow that process. Elbows inside bottom, stretch and lift
quote:
Originally posted by mineral1
Elbows inside bottom, stretch and lift
So are these essentially rashies? or are they more like thicker windsurfing jackets?
Tozza, the blast shield is not so much a rashy. It's more like a rashy lined with a wind repellened layer on the outside. I am describing it really badly... you have to see one for yourself. Personally I first didn't get it but not I wear mine all the time... in summer with boardshorts to keep me from getting burned and brusied from bugnled jumps... and in winter as an extra layer of protection when it gets "really cold".
"Then in winter wear it over the top of your wetsuit for that little bit of extra warmth."
Over the top or underneath?
The BlastShield is more like a wetsuit top or vest than a rash shirt.
Rash Shirts in general are made form lycra which are super thin and hold small amounts of water in the fibre/material once wet.
It's the old outback fridge/air con principal. Wind or air moving across a wet surface has a cooling effect.
In short, lycra or rash shirts are perfect for sun protection and keeping you cooler in summer (as long as it is slightly wet)
The BlastShield is made of 0.5mm - 1mm thick neoprene 'based' material
The metallite is a rubber backed neoprene with additional rubber compounds giving it amassing stretch potential (This is part of what allows it to be so thin and flexible)
Tiny metallite fibres are impregnated into the compound and then locked inside a rubber coated layer (The fibres are what enables the garment to be so thin yet so warm)
Additional supa stretch 0.5mm - 1mm neoprene panels are located strategically throughout the BlastShield providing stability and body.
The result is something that can be worn on it's own OR under a wetsuit for additional warmth throughout the colder winter months.
Due to the rubber based compound used in the BlastShield we've found it takes a few wears (in the water) to shape itself to your body. What actually occurs is the compounds are stretched and pulled in different directions in order to mould itself to the individuals body shape.
(It's also one of the reasons we suggest getting one size down from your normal size)
Hope this answers some questions
Kev
WindWarrior Australia
I actually wear the Blast Shield OVER the wetsuit in winter. I find it stetches enough to get it easily over the top of the wetsuit. It has the added advantage that there is no issus with arms rolling up as can happen when you wear it under the wetsuit.
It also seems to seal the back zip of the wetsuit better this way. Just my 5 cents...
Stoked to hear you're getting use out of it in all seasons and have found a way of wearing it that works for you
As for needing to seal off the back zip on at wetsuit, it's a fairly common design fault with many suits.
Drop us a PM as we have something that could provide a solution to your leaking wetsuit zip issues
WindWarrior Australia
(quote) nebbian
Don't know about anyone else, but my mind just boggled!
(quote) firiebob
Hey mineral, can I watch ya wife, just for research mate
awwwwwwww you guys
