Forums > Stand Up Paddle General

Who wears a helmet?

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Created by touralie > 9 months ago, 28 Sep 2018
touralie
NSW, 23 posts
28 Sep 2018 9:01AM
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Hey guys.

Quick question... who wears a helmet when surfing??

I usually find myself surfing my local break early by myself. Had a couple of close calls with board bouncing near my head and face..

Thoughts ???


Thanks !!

cantSUPenough
VIC, 2122 posts
28 Sep 2018 9:58AM
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If I am by myself I do - unless it is very tame conditions. Yesterday I was at a remote beach and the surf had a "bit" of size so I wore my helmet. If the conditions are tame and there are others out there then I probably won't. But if it is very windy, or pretty big, I will even if the lineup is crowded.

FRP
491 posts
28 Sep 2018 8:57AM
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I wear a gath helmet all the time. Every year I have a close encounter at least once with my board, surf mostly alone early morning perhaps out 70-80 sessions a year. Even when it is crowded in the lineup I doubt anyone would get to me in time if I was concussed by my board. I come from a kayaking background where everyone wore a helmet. I know I charge harder wearing a helmet whether it is skiing, kayaking or surfing. No real downside to it other than looking a bit different than the proners. In general our boards have significantly more mass and getting hit in the head can have consequences.

Bob

Tardy
4919 posts
28 Sep 2018 11:34AM
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YEP i surf alone a lot ,when its big i always wear it ,and if its cold keeps ya head warm .GATH JEDI , is made for round heads like me .
also a great sun hat .let the force be with you .

Mickymoo
WA, 163 posts
28 Sep 2018 2:53PM
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I never SUP / Wave sail without one. This season I have seen some good head cuts at various surf spots and a mate got a 8cm cut directly in the middle of his forehead when the wind got under his board after he fell off and on resurfacing.... bam. I've personally had several heavy bumps where I've seen stars and this was wearing my Gath. Years ago you would never see a helmet on a ski slope.. now its rare to see someone without one. There is a vid of a pro freestyler in shallow water who gets knocked out doing a simple move he must have done a hundred times. Floating face down until people run through the water to get him. Only luck he didn't drown. Would be interesting to have some statistics on KO drowning fatalities.
From memory the last Margaret River fatality was from being Ko'd in the water.

A no brainer IMHO but each to their own.

JEG
VIC, 1469 posts
28 Sep 2018 7:34PM
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I'm not cool... helmet for sure.

SUPSMURF
NSW, 164 posts
28 Sep 2018 9:17PM
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My mate got smacked in the head with his board in 1ft slop and got momentarily knocked out and me being a short ass and then trying to get a 6ft + 90kg guy to the shore them up the beach and across a channel to help was no fun. Good size gash but I doubt a helmet would have saved him. The debate went on about getting a helmet or not. I decided that a wake board vest would be better when surfing alone so at least it would keep my head out of the water if knocked out.


touralie
NSW, 23 posts
28 Sep 2018 11:41PM
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Thanks for the feedback guys... i think ill be investing in one this weekend!!!

MarkW81
VIC, 85 posts
29 Sep 2018 3:51PM
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Yep always wear one as I often surf away from others.

I wear it in all conditions because a mate just about drowned in a 1 foot shorebreak.

Also once I started wearing it I don't feel right not wearing it, like not putting on a seat belt. I'd also agree that I charger harder wearing it.

Cheers Mark

anchorpoint
190 posts
30 Sep 2018 4:18AM
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I wear one when on reef break..if the water depth is low..

anchorpoint
190 posts
30 Sep 2018 4:18AM
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I wear one when on reef break..if the water depth is low..

Johndesu
NSW, 549 posts
30 Sep 2018 7:30PM
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I almost always were mine with a cap & sun glasses if sunny (see photo:-)


cantSUPenough
VIC, 2122 posts
30 Sep 2018 8:34PM
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Select to expand quote
Johndesu said..
I almost always were mine with a cap & sun glasses if sunny (see photo:-)


Great shot!

1fox
184 posts
1 Oct 2018 4:04AM
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Gath when it's huge.

Johndesu
NSW, 549 posts
1 Oct 2018 9:19PM
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I have three Gath Helmets, an old light one that I have modified (cut out the front rubber so I can where a visor/peak cap under it as in the photo), a regular fixed visor and a deluxe with movable visor (that I were when it is raining:-)

GizzieNZ
4100 posts
2 Oct 2018 8:44AM
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Sometimes if the surf is six inches high I don't wear a helmet. But basically feel kind of naked and vulnerable without my Gath
And as for those windy days when your board goes spinning through the air.....to come down "who knows where"?
Better bet to buy a helmet than a lottery ticket I reckon

Gboots
NSW, 1314 posts
2 Oct 2018 1:35PM
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Who try's before they buy for sizing ?
Or are size guides generally accurate ?

touralie
NSW, 23 posts
2 Oct 2018 6:33PM
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Gath helmet ordered today.. i opted for the EVA and not the RV (visor). I tried on an XL RV at a local dealer which was a good fit. It was also right in the middle of the measurement guide.

I found it difficult to find them in stores though, so ordered on directly from GATH. Only one local surf shop had a couple in stock. No one else had them..


The VIP
QLD, 69 posts
3 Oct 2018 1:49PM
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Use mine every time I;m out. Also cut my hair to suit(every full moon)


touralie
NSW, 23 posts
15 Oct 2018 10:19AM
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Wore my Gath for the first time yesterday . Conditions were crap. Big and really blowy. I didn't even realize i had my gath on. Felt comfortable. And i did feel better within myself for having it on. Its a goer for me from now on..



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