Hey folk. So I finally got some kiting lessons yesterday (with Glen from xshore - great bloke and instructor). It was pretty hard for me to manage everything (the waves, kite and my position) without taking in some big gulps of water.

I want to buy some kind of vest or wet suit that will help me keep afloat so I can progress faster so I wanted to ask here first if anyone had any insight to which would be the best for this? Maybe some brands or models of a suit that will help me out :)



Cheers folk!

The NPX vests interested me momentarily after I knocked myself unconscious kiting recently, something to keep me afloat while I came back to life. But i decided the extra clutter and warmth of a vest was too much hassle. IMHO they look slim and well designed for accommodating a harness.

http://www.npxwetsuits.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=200&Itemid=286

Don't know of many crew using them for flotation though...

deXtrous said...

Hey folk. So I finally got some kiting lessons yesterday (with Glen from xshore - great bloke and instructor). It was pretty hard for me to manage everything (the waves, kite and my position) without taking in some big gulps of water.

I want to buy some kind of vest or wet suit that will help me keep afloat so I can progress faster so I wanted to ask here first if anyone had any insight to which would be the best for this? Maybe some brands or models of a suit that will help me out :)



Cheers folk!

Congrats on surviving your first lesson. It is allways the hardest and its normal to drink a bit of water, but i wouldnt rush out and get a pfd if this is the only reason. You will progress past body draging in your next lesson prob, and be doing board starts, once ridding the board you may find no use for the vest. I would borrow one if it helps in the next lesson but just put your extra cash towards more lessons and you will be up on the board and ridding in no time.

My guess if you had your lesson with Xshore you would be living somewhere on the mid north coast.. you have some awesome learning spots up that way where it is only waist deep.. the boys at muddies (old bar) are a great bunch of blokes. and they just love having heaps of beginners around.. you can also try smiths lakes on the sandbar side.. and Wallis lakes. right opposite the ruins camping ground there is a council depot.. if you go in there the nor easter gets in there enough..

Idiot said...
every one will tell you to HTFU but a hard crash will hurt like hell if you don't

Idiot said...

First I bought a Billabong PFD and my harness was pushing it to my face.
Luckily someone stole it from me then I bought this one



It is a Nail Pryde wind surfing/kite surfing harness and it have a place for your harness hook.

I'm happy with it.

If you decide to get a vest - I fully agree with getting a Neil Pryde. Just enough float without being bulky. You dont know you've got it on.

Check out www.watersportswest.com . Click under accessories. I purchased a Ripcurl kitesurfing vest 3 weeks ago. Keeps meet afloat and the thick padding protects you from any impacts.
The vest was $75.00us dollars and postage $44.00us. I received the vest from Florida to Sydney within 6 days.

Speak to John on 0011 1 727 517 7000 or send him an email.
You can wear a seat or waist harness with the vest.
Hope this info may help.