Hi all,

I'd like to get a PFD for number of reasons, bit of extra security as I'm learning, less likely hood of drowning, help to lessen the impact when I inevitably face plant, to help reduce the spreader bar riding up and for somewhere to store car keys when I'm out in the water.

I meet Gary up at Pinaroo Point in WA and he had something that looked the ticket but can't recall the make or where he got it from. Does anyone have anywhere they could point me? nothing in BCF, etc is fitting the bill and none of the kitesurf shops I've tried stock anything. Would prefer to buy from shop otherwise think I'll have to go for something like this from online kokatat.com/products/pfd/ronin-pro-pfd-le.html

Wow there tonto[}:)] There is a reason that kite shops do not sell that style of PFD for kiting.

Kite surfing is a fairly athletic sport it is not in your interest to add safety items designed for kayaking or boating.

Unless U are set on a seat or board shorts style harness you will have difficulty with that design.

A good design is more styled around being an impact vest - they go under a waist harness - some (designed for cold weather - really cold) go over the top with slit for hook to come through.

Most impact vests give u buoyancy but not to the rated amount of a PFD - but more than adequate for buoyancy and retain the movement factor U need.

U do not want to compromise your harness fit with a PFD designed for a different sport. I started with a seat harness and a similar PFD and ended up ditching it as too loose fitting it rode up and due to the bulk could get in the way handling my kite when trying to re-launch (I used it for wake boarding / water skiing). The big change in kite design since then has meant that you do not have to swim towards the kite to get it positioned for a re-launch...

I insisted both my kite surfing kids went thru' training period with an impact vest (and helmet).

For car keys etc - get a key lock safe (refer shop section) - or wear a waterproof pouch. By the time you really want storage for say a big down winder you will know what U R doing.

So thinking safety is good but not to the degree it can be a hinderance especially when you are learning. Drowning although a real threat is way way down the list of risk factors for a learner. (If your training / instruction has put you in a position you felt you could drown then swap instructors / kite school). Go an impact vest especially if U want to use a waist harness. U can always wear a light weight wet suit for extra buoyancy.

Cheers
AP

i learnt with a water ski wet suit with floation in it most of it is in the back some is on chest . worked a treat it also stoped the harness riding up . when learning the kite spends a lot of time at 12 so no harness ride up didnt have to like dog paddel as such to get board on ya feet and swinging your arms around to stay floating . i didnt have to buy it because i already had it from skiing days would have to be the best idea i have ever came up with . look at porn shops ect i just bought another one at tender centre $30 cant beat that

I have used a canoeing type 2 PFD with a nice front pouch for kiting. I would still take this on an extended tour. But now I mostly use a kiting impact vest which is not actually rated as a PFD.

There are some photos of these options here: kitesurfing-handbook.peterskiteboarding.com/gear/buoyancy-vests