Helmets on DW runs

[PonoBill]

In the seven falls I had in my first downwind run today, four of them were really hairy, with my board blowing out of the water, hitting the end of the leash, and flopping around like a gaffed fish. I hate grabbing my board as I go by--not good for my fragile shoulders--but I started doing it. Better a shoulder tweak than getting KOed.

When Rod Parmenter and I were shuttling this morning he told me that loose board yesterday was cartwheeling down the river. He paddled up to it between gusts and dove on it. Then HIS board started flipping around on the end of his leash.

I'm going to look at the available helmets. I'm thinking something skeletoned would work, but I haven't seen anything like that.

[SUPcheat]

I can't understand all the kvetching about helmets, unless it's just looking for a a good excuse not to wear one.

Mine doesn't bother me at all, unless I have an itch on my head I want to scratch and have to take it off.  It also makes it a little harder to hear voices across the water, but that's sometimes hard, anyway.

If it keeps you from a bad konk just once, it is worth wearing for me. I have had several minor konks where I was glad to have it, but I take it out mostly when I think things might be rough or crowded.

[coldsup]

I can't understand all the kvetching about helmets, unless it's just looking for a a good excuse not to wear one.

Mine doesn't bother me at all, unless I have an itch on my head I want to scratch and have to take it off.  It also makes it a little harder to hear voices across the water, but that's sometimes hard, anyway.

If it keeps you from a bad konk just once, it is worth wearing for me. I have had several minor konks where I was glad to have it, but I take it out mostly when I think things might be rough or crowded.

Which helmet are you using thanks?

[yugi]

Love this commercial
   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I9msJyIMi2Y

I like the Bern helmuts in general and specifically the water ones with the little visor. I like visors, the really big ones worry me however.
   http://bernunlimited.com/shop/h20.html

Pono, there isn’t much stopping you using a bike helmut in water. They work in rain ya know. Lots of options for really vented ones in that world. As a weight weenie I kind of interested in this one. Roadie super vented but with a skate shape. Yes, looks and weight matter.
   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6lpEGrB4Be4

Any helmut with a ratchet in the back will definitely help with fit. Most water specific ones don’t have these.

Protect has been around water helmuts long time. Classic skate style.
   http://protecbrand.com/collections/water

And to be honest. Any old skate helmut will do and they are way cheaper. I do need the water helmut ear protectors though for kite and wakeboard crashes.

[yugi]

BTW a little kiters tip to helmut selection.

As a kiter when you’re ripping through waves at Mach12 with a whole bunch of stuff going on like hanging on your life and keeping an eye on the waves coming at you (yes, you figured, also at Mach12) I’ve noticed I see the the guys treading water better with visible helmuts. As a kiter, or any other water activity, when you’re stranded out at sea you definitely do want to be noticed just that little bit better when you’re treading water. That, that right there is one of the best reasons to sport a helmut. Really hard to see someone in the water w/out helmut or a super cool black one. (404 Caps work well too - if they stay on)

So basically you want a visible one. IMO you have 2 choices: dayglo or white. Yes, the white ones are very visible on a guy treading water. Advantage of white is that it’s cool in the sun.

Mine is white. Even if I wear only black since the 80’s.

[edit to add]
And, no, you can’t take one of those super vented helmuts in white. Unless you’re Italian and also have white (or dayglo) Briko sunglasses. Speedo’s too. Also in dayglo.

[coldsup]

DJ wears a cycling one now and again I think - but maybe for the Go Pro.

I do like the look of the Gath Convertible - it looks very low profile.