Does anyone use a lifejacket in the Surf / larger waves? Just wondering what your thoughts are - will it make it any safer, only don it when you're way out / big surf, interference with movement and the harness, what brands, etc? Thanks in advance.

Hi Fooosh,

I wouldn't wear a bouyancy aid of any type in big surf for the reason it will have enough floatation to get you above the water but not the white water/foam which you also can't breathe.

Without the ability to duck the sets you may be swept along on the face of the wave but underneath the foam. Pretty strong chance of drowning.

As for restriction of movement, I don't think it would matter, but again, with a life or death decision, I reckon movement restriction is the least of your worries.

Good winds,

I don't think you would need a PFD etc..; because harnesses are pretty floaty, but isn't too much so you can still dive under waves etc...

Has anyone tried a waterskiing wetsuit with built in bouyancy? Waves or flat water?

I have the Dakine combo. It does not interfere with movement at all and I really don't notice I have it on. It does have some bouyancy benefits as well as the impact ones, (as jono mentions above) especially if you have to float around a bit or are trying to relaunch in smaller surf. I would be glad to have one if I had to ditch a km out to sea, or got caught in an outgoing tide at a river mouth and had to do a bit of a long out and about swim. It would make the swim in less tiring/daunting.

However i would NOT rely on it to assist me in big surf all that much. It would help, maybe - but not much. My fitness and ability to swim through big surf are the only benchmarks I would use to go out.

If you are thinking about going out in conditions where you think you may need more help - don't. You have to be able (and happy) to ditch everything and swim if you have to.

Kitehard said...

Hi Fooosh,

I wouldn't wear a bouyancy aid of any type in big surf for the reason it will have enough floatation to get you above the water but not the white water/foam which you also can't breathe.

Without the ability to duck the sets you may be swept along on the face of the wave but underneath the foam. Pretty strong chance of drowning.

Totally agree with kitehard..........

But how big are we talking ?

But in the comes down to personal preference......... and individual situations ie: how far out ? do you have a boat on standby ? How strong are the sweeps ? Where is the closest out ? Is there a chance you will spend some hours in the water if something does go wrong ?)

Foosh are you the sort of person who knows what they are doing in big surf, I guess I am asking are you a confident water user surfer etc......If you are capable and can duckdive, hold onto the bottom etc........ I would not be wearing one at all. If you are not confident in that kind of situation and are most likely to just bob around and wait for the swell to push you to the beach WEAR ONE.

PHOTOGS spend all their time in the impact zone and I have never seen one wearing a PFD or floatation of any kind other than a wettie, this is because they know what they are doing and use the subsurface as a safety.

If you are talking waves over 15ft sorta thing remember when it breaks there is about 4ft of airated water (whitewater) before you reach the surface a PFD will not float in this and as kitehard said you still cannot breathe ( nor can swim down if you are wearing a PDF or similar you are in limbo ).

That is my experience but if you are not 100% confident Wear ONe

Floatation devices do make a body retrieval easier.

harry potter said...
Totally agree with kitehard..........

But how big are we talking ?

But in the comes down to personal preference......... and individual situations ie: how far out ? do you have a boat on standby ? How strong are the sweeps ? Where is the closest out ? Is there a chance you will spend some hours in the water if something does go wrong ?)

Foosh are you the sort of person who knows what they are doing in big surf, I guess I am asking are you a confident water user surfer etc......If you are capable and can duckdive, hold onto the bottom etc........ I would not be wearing one at all. If you are not confident in that kind of situation and are most likely to just bob around and wait for the swell to push you to the beach WEAR ONE.

PHOTOGS spend all their time in the impact zone and I have never seen one wearing a PFD or floatation of any kind other than a wettie, this is because they know what they are doing and use the subsurface as a safety.

If you are talking waves over 15ft sorta thing remember when it breaks there is about 4ft of airated water (whitewater) before you reach the surface a PFD will not float in this and as kitehard said you still cannot breathe ( nor can swim down if you are wearing a PDF or similar you are in limbo ).

That is my experience but if you are not 100% confident Wear ONe

Floatation devices do make a body retrieval easier.

Hmmm... not sure if you really wanted an answer here but (without kite and a floaty board):
0-10 ft (face) healthy respect (As for ..'100% confident'? I'd be deluded if I ever was!)
10 ft I get excited
15 ft I start to feel fear
25 ft was the biggest (main break Margs) - 2 surfaces (in whitewater = no air) x 4 big set waves
2min breath hold in pool
Holding onto bottom.... never tried that one! Guess the reefs weren't shallow enough!

Last comment goes in the 'Against PFD' basket. I'd rather just go down to DJ's locker if it happens.

ADEN said...

I don't think you would need a PFD etc..; because harnesses are pretty floaty, but isn't too much so you can still dive under waves etc...

no they're not. they sink

To the OP, I wear a Liquid Force Impact vest which i also use for wake boarding, it has a fair bit of flotation, plus it doesnt interfere with my harness or my movement. As I dont surf however, I cant comment on that side of it