aus301 said...

DavidJohn said...

I bought it from a great shop near where I live called 'Canoes Plus'.. www.canoesplus.com.au/

They have them on special marked down from $160 to $140.. It's a good quality PFD and not too high like most.. so you don't look like Harry Highpants..

DJ

DJ you picked the right place for a some good advice. I know Roy and Andrew from my days paddling and selling kayaks. Andrew taught me how to eskimo roll many years ago, great guys.

What's the brand of this PFD so I can start to look aroundmy place
Thanks

Looks like Gorgo was on his 6'3 surfboard

Al Hunter said...



What's the brand of this PFD so I can start to look aroundmy place
Thanks

The brand is Ultra and the style is Trek.. www.ultrapfd.com.au/default.asp?PageID=63

,

Mick.. I still have the bumbag PFD and I'll probably use that in summer or times that I don't want to wear or carry anything on my back.

I think it's great for the water Police to be able to see that you are wearing one on those extreme days.

DJ

Nice looking PFD DJ.

Safety equipment comes under the category of unnecessary most of the time but you would feel like a total dick that one time you need it and you haven't got it.

Personally I think a quality wet suit with hat is the most important safety gear for winter downwinders in Melbourne. You're more likely to die of hypothermia waiting for a rescue than drowning.

By far the most dangerous thing about downwinders is if the wind swings offshore. There is no way you are going to paddle upwind to shore. Even crosswind is hard.

The size of the waves and the strength of the wind is pretty much irrelevant - unless you're in shallow water. In which case wind swells become monster waves (see earlier accurate comments about 10' waves.)