try any impact vest, try the swat one they are like jet piolt.

the big wave surfers like the mavericks crew never used to wear them untill mark foo drowned (i still dont think they do when they paddle in??? but definatley on tow in). On big waves u get sucked down deep when you fall. now the popular opinion is that its better to get thrown around like a ragdoll with flotation and always be sure u will come up rather than have to fight the water and swimm up without flotation. no matter how exhausted you are also if you get knocked out u will still come up. BTW if you get knocked out an impact vest wont hold ur head above the water but i can make it easier for rescuers to find and hopefully rescusertate(i think i spelt that wrong)

correct me if i am wrong with any of this.

say if for ex you got draged out to sea a self inflation life jacket could be handy(ect lost board kite or on foil)

Jet Pilot makes the SWAT vest that isn't an approved lify that works really well with a waist harness because ift fits over top and the harness hook fits out a hole in the vest. I haven't tried my jet pilot attack 10 with a waist harness yet but i think it will work cause it has a high cut up (on me at least). I think one of the reason the padle in surfers down wear the flotation approved impact vest is cause they'd be a pain to try and paddle in cause there a little more bulky and lets face it if your trying to duck dive a 30' face your screwed and are going over the falls anyways.

I like the Jet Pilot Attack 10 and the GF loves her Jet Pilot SWAT vest they both work well to soften the blow a little plus their side entry which is nice, I would recomend either one. That said the rip curl vest with the zip on the lower back has had great reviews. It the same as a harness all vests are cut a little differnt and some will fit better then others.

I think mystic make a vest that goes under your harness. Maybe worth checkin out?

Hi,
because I am a certified dagg I wear a Bump n Jump impact vest. It is not a PFD but certanly has helped when unable to launch in low winds but getting slowly dragged dopwnwind. Just enough to ease the treading water anyway.

The best thing is impact protection though, they really do take a lot of the sting out. On Sat I absolutley smashed myself (so much so the vest nearly came off - a 1st!!)whilst learning backrolls. The impact was on my left chest and really left me a bit worse for wear but waaaayyyy better off then without it. I'm sure I would have been winded or worse had I not been dagging it up.

Wish I could shed some light on the wave situation but I am only venturing into the smaller variety... so far anyhoo.
just my 2c

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