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Gath Hat users

> 10 years ago
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General Gps & Speed Waves Foiling Gear Reviews Lost & Found WA NSW QLD SA VIC TAS
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DavMen
DavMen
NSW
1510 posts
DavMen DavMen
NSW, 1510 posts
1 Feb 2007 3:56pm
Hi all Gath Hat users,

I copped a blow to the back of the head last weekend, while sailing (actually while crashing), and became semi-concussed but managed to struggle ashore. It was very scary indeed.
Hence I’m now in the market for a Gath Hat but can’t decide between a ‘Fixed Visor’ or a ‘Surf Convertible’.
I thought since I’m getting one it would be useful to get a little sun protection as well although the full faced retractable seems over the top.
Are there any users that can comment for/against for either of the above FV or SC?

Cheers
DavMen
Harrow
Harrow
NSW
4521 posts
Harrow Harrow
NSW, 4521 posts
1 Feb 2007 4:06pm
DavMen,

The surf convertible is the way to go - more comfortable around the ears and not so caustrophobic feeling. They have just brought out a detachable visor for the surf convertible.

Regards,
Harrow.
Crash Landing
Crash Landing
NSW
1173 posts
Crash Landing Crash Landing
NSW, 1173 posts
1 Feb 2007 4:13pm
DavMen,

Agreed with Harrow, the Surf Convertible is excellent. I forget I have it on.... and as Harrow says a visor/peak is going to be released. As soon as I got it I hit my head 5 times in one session!

Cheers
mineral1
mineral1
WA
4564 posts
mineral1 mineral1
WA, 4564 posts
1 Feb 2007 2:29pm
Davmen, I have the Gath Jedi, I purchased it with the flip visor.
Unfortunately the flip visor doesn’t go well if you need to sail with prescription glasses, so I had to remove it. Only thing it always worried me that if I had a forward prang, it may bite real had into the bridge on the snozzle, if it had any swing down force applied to top of visor.
Took about five minutes to get used to when I first put it on. Find if I go out without it on, feels real weird. The weight is so low it has zero affect on your performance and neck muscles.
You wont regret buying it.
Best thing I have ever purchased re windsurfing gear
Mineral
PS if I had used it directly after I purchased it, I maybe wouldn't have needed a few G's worth of dental I suffered at start of season.
Leech
Leech
WA
1933 posts
Leech Leech
WA, 1933 posts
1 Feb 2007 2:31pm
quote:
Originally posted by Crash Landing

DavMen,

Agreed with Harrow, the Surf Convertible is excellent. I forget I have it on.... and as Harrow says a visor/peak is going to be released. As soon as I got it I hit my head 5 times in one session!

Cheers

not discounting the importance of the helmet but you prolly hit your head more cos you were wearing it. (brain not yet used to increased size of head)
Crash Landing
Crash Landing
NSW
1173 posts
Crash Landing Crash Landing
NSW, 1173 posts
1 Feb 2007 4:52pm
Oh yeah, good point. I also got my head stuck in a fence but remembered I could undo the chin strap.

One thing i have noticed is the noise - sometimes it sounds like there are crazy children screaming in my ears... or it sounds like someone is sailing next to me.... or when i fall in and my head hits the water hard (eg terrible spock/loop attempts) it seems to hurt more but it's probably just the noise as well...
Pugwash
Pugwash
WA
7733 posts
Pugwash Pugwash
WA, 7733 posts
1 Feb 2007 2:55pm
Go for the one with FIXED ear pieces... I have one with the detachables and they were ending up under my chin every time a came off... Needless to say, these are now held on with gath gaff tape

Oh, helmets are good... They protect you from OTHERS as well as your self!
CJW
CJW
NSW
1731 posts
CJW CJW
NSW, 1731 posts
1 Feb 2007 7:55pm
quote:
Originally posted by Crash Landing

Oh yeah, good point. I also got my head stuck in a fence but remembered I could undo the chin strap.


Must have been a big loop attempt to end up in a fence ^_^
Combs
Combs
WA
152 posts
Combs Combs
WA, 152 posts
1 Feb 2007 6:11pm
I started off with the standard helmet and used it for a couple of years. I found that they irritated my ears and were a little noisy in the wind, making it hard to talk to people. So late last year I brought the convertable. It is fantastic.

I don't use the ear pieces for flat water, but would if I was getting a little adventurous in my moves to protect the ear drums. The only downside was the lack of a small visor, but according to others on this post they now have one. I will have to check it out.

All in all a wise investment.
Wineman
Wineman
NSW
1412 posts
Wineman Wineman
NSW, 1412 posts
1 Feb 2007 8:13pm

crash!

quote:

Oh yeah, good point. I also got my head stuck in a fence but remembered I could undo the chin strap.



that sounds like an Elmo

shadow
shadow
WA
93 posts
shadow shadow
WA, 93 posts
1 Feb 2007 6:27pm
I bought a convertible after I nearly knocked myself out up at Corros last month. Now I feel a bit safer, and my wife can spot me in the water with gleaming red dome of a head.

The only problem is that ear covers whistle and drive me crazy! What the hell are they there for anyway?!

Am I at risk if I F them off?
Mackay
Mackay
NSW
78 posts
Mackay Mackay
NSW, 78 posts
1 Feb 2007 8:44pm
I saw a kiter stack and get his head stuck in a fence once!
elizabethb
elizabethb
QLD
2081 posts
elizabethb elizabethb
QLD, 2081 posts
1 Feb 2007 10:14pm
Hey Dave. I have a Gath fixed partial visor size 'Small' if you want to get that one. It's for sale in teh SB Windy accessories section if you want to check it out. Let me know if you're interested or not. Fres postage.

Goodwinds
Elizabeth B8

quote:
Originally posted by DavMen

Hi all Gath Hat users,

I copped a blow to the back of the head last weekend, while sailing (actually while crashing), and became semi-concussed but managed to struggle ashore. It was very scary indeed.
Hence I’m now in the market for a Gath Hat but can’t decide between a ‘Fixed Visor’ or a ‘Surf Convertible’.
I thought since I’m getting one it would be useful to get a little sun protection as well although the full faced retractable seems over the top.
Are there any users that can comment for/against for either of the above FV or SC?

Cheers
DavMen

mineral1
mineral1
WA
4564 posts
mineral1 mineral1
WA, 4564 posts
1 Feb 2007 9:21pm
elizabethb, was wondering how long it would be before this topic caught your eye
Cant believe somebody hasnt already taken it off your hands
Have a goodn

Mineral
Zed
Zed
WA
1274 posts
Zed Zed
WA, 1274 posts
1 Feb 2007 11:20pm
quote:
Originally posted by DavMen

Hi all Gath Hat users,

I copped a blow to the back of the head last weekend, while sailing (actually while crashing), and became semi-concussed but managed to struggle ashore. It was very scary indeed.
Hence I’m now in the market for a Gath Hat but can’t decide between a ‘Fixed Visor’ or a ‘Surf Convertible’.
I thought since I’m getting one it would be useful to get a little sun protection as well although the full faced retractable seems over the top.
Are there any users that can comment for/against for either of the above FV or SC?

Cheers
DavMen



Come on now princess everyone bangs their head now and again. Wearing a gath is just gaylord. You will lose the respect of all over watersport lovers including goat boaters and in effect you will be at the bottom of the water sport hierachy, behind bodyboarders, goat-boaters, clubbies.... don't do it man..
elmo
elmo
WA
8894 posts
elmo elmo
WA, 8894 posts
1 Feb 2007 11:24pm
Thought I'd put my two Bobs worth in here being our resident crash test dummy now on my third Gath.

My current version is the fixed visor, I selected this model for a couple of reasons. The first being that the Fixed Visor makes the front of the helmet more rigid, the second being that in the event of a mast chop, the visor being fixed may deflect the mast on it's downward path of destruction away from my beak.

I can put my hand on my heart and say these visors are good as 2 nights before Christmas I got catapulted @ 60kmh face first into my mast, I'll be brutally honest here I still squealed like a stuck pig for a few minutes, removal of the helmet showed a nice bruise on my forehead going onto my nose from where there visor got pushed in. Without the visor it would have been a hospital trip to stitch up my not so beautiful face and set the bones.

This helmet is of the old style, ie pre-Jedi.

The Jedi look to me to be a lot stronger than the old styles with a thicker plastic shell and 12mm thick moulded sponge liner, the forehead protection is far better than the old style (apart from maybe the fixed visor).

The only problem with these from my POV is the flexible ear guards, I'm not a big fan of these compared to them being an integral part of the helmet.

Having smashed 2 ear inserts on separate occasions by getting whacked across the side of the head in a high powered gybe, I would always have the ear protection there. There is a pressure point nerve in your ear which if you have ever copped a hit there it hurts like a Mofo.

Regarding the vents, just keep them closed.

Being accident prone and after coming to realization that when you come unglued speed sailing it generally ends badly I've been investigating Uvex Ski race helmets which offer jaw protection as well, these are strong helmets but lightweight for competition. Having to pop back a dislocated jaw I can assure you is not a pleasant experience when in a surf break. It's the reason why I started wearing Gaths in the first place.

If I cant get the Uvex my next helmet would be the Jedi without the Visor.

Long winded I know but I'm proof that they do their job.

And for the peoples who have them.... wear the FLICKEN things, they don't save you sitting in the car

Alby
decrepit
decrepit
WA
12884 posts
decrepit decrepit
WA, 12884 posts
1 Feb 2007 11:37pm
quote:
Originally posted by Zed



Come on now princess everyone bangs their head now and again. Wearing a gath is just gaylord. You will lose the respect of all over watersport lovers including goat boaters and in effect you will be at the bottom of the water sport hierachy, behind bodyboarders, goat-boaters, clubbies.... don't do it man..


Zed this is out of line, if you're so careless with your own safety that's your concern.
But your advice could cause somebody's death, do you want to be responsible for that?????
Zed
Zed
WA
1274 posts
Zed Zed
WA, 1274 posts
1 Feb 2007 11:50pm

Well I'm being a little facetious... but they're still gay

decrepit
decrepit
WA
12884 posts
decrepit decrepit
WA, 12884 posts
1 Feb 2007 11:56pm
Yeh OK, but most people would think it's better to be gay and alive, than cool and dead. Or even badly injured and off windsurfing for a couple of weeks
Greenroom
Greenroom
WA
7608 posts
Greenroom Greenroom
WA, 7608 posts
2 Feb 2007 12:00am
I hated them with a passion. I have never used them surfing as I too think they look gay and I would lose respect in the line up. But since I have started windsurfing I have developed really bad surfers ear so I got a Gath to initally pretect my ears as the ear plugs hurt my ears but now it doubles as protection for my scon. I kinda feel naked without it now. Its just piece of mind knowing that if I do get a wollop I would be better off than not having one on my melon. I have the FV and Im very happy with it
elmo
elmo
WA
8894 posts
elmo elmo
WA, 8894 posts
2 Feb 2007 12:07am
quote:
Originally posted by Greenroom

I hated them with a passion. I have never used them surfing as I too think they look gay and I would lose respect in the line up. But since I have started windsurfing I have developed really bad surfers ear so I got a Gath to initally pretect my ears as the ear plugs hurt my ears but now it doubles as protection for my scon. I kinda feel naked without it now. Its just piece of mind knowing that if I do get a wollop I would be better off than not having one on my melon. I have the FV and Im very happy with it


Greeny,

re earplugs

Give us a yell when next down here I have some extra small earplugs (I bought a box of them).

I also struggle with earplugs due to small ear canals, Alcoa recognized this as a problem for their personell so the went on an earplug fitting program, I benefited from this by raiding all the diferent sizes at the security gate till I found one which does the job without pain (can now wear them all day without pain).

I must go back to wearing them when I sail, as I sit here with yet another ear infection.

Alby
elmo
elmo
WA
8894 posts
elmo elmo
WA, 8894 posts
2 Feb 2007 12:10am
quote:
Originally posted by Zed

quote:
Originally posted by DavMen

Hi all Gath Hat users,

I copped a blow to the back of the head last weekend, while sailing (actually while crashing), and became semi-concussed but managed to struggle ashore. It was very scary indeed.
Hence I’m now in the market for a Gath Hat but can’t decide between a ‘Fixed Visor’ or a ‘Surf Convertible’.
I thought since I’m getting one it would be useful to get a little sun protection as well although the full faced retractable seems over the top.
Are there any users that can comment for/against for either of the above FV or SC?

Cheers
DavMen



Come on now princess everyone bangs their head now and again. Wearing a gath is just gaylord. You will lose the respect of all over watersport lovers including goat boaters and in effect you will be at the bottom of the water sport hierachy, behind bodyboarders, goat-boaters, clubbies.... don't do it man..


I'm alright on this

I look gay with or without a helmet.

However, looking is a sheetload diferent to being.
decrepit
decrepit
WA
12884 posts
decrepit decrepit
WA, 12884 posts
2 Feb 2007 12:23am
quote:
Originally posted by elmo

I'm alright on this

I look gay with or without a helmet.

However, looking is a sheetload diferent to being.[/size=2]


I'll say!
And how cool is it anyway, to be ruled by what you feel other people think??? What would they know anyway??

Be an individual, do your own thing!
Greenroom
Greenroom
WA
7608 posts
Greenroom Greenroom
WA, 7608 posts
2 Feb 2007 12:29am
I just want a beard like yours decrepit
Zed
Zed
WA
1274 posts
Zed Zed
WA, 1274 posts
2 Feb 2007 1:07am
Earplugs are also gay...
elmo
elmo
WA
8894 posts
elmo elmo
WA, 8894 posts
2 Feb 2007 7:55am
quote:
Originally posted by Zed

Earplugs are also gay...


only if you stick em up your butt
DavMen
DavMen
NSW
1510 posts
DavMen DavMen
NSW, 1510 posts
2 Feb 2007 10:19am
Hi all thanks for the advice/opinions on the gaths still not sure which I'll be getting but I will get one.

About them being gay mmmmm. those most concerned about looking gay are closets. Come on man time to come out!

DavMen
elizabethb
elizabethb
QLD
2081 posts
elizabethb elizabethb
QLD, 2081 posts
2 Feb 2007 11:14am
quote:
Originally posted by mineral1

elizabethb, was wondering how long it would be before this topic caught your eye
Cant believe somebody hasnt already taken it off your hands
Have a goodn

Mineral


lol! I know.... I can't seem to get rid of it. Only asking $75 with free postage and it hasn't even been out of the house! lol....

Anyhoot....

Gooooodwinds
elmo
elmo
WA
8894 posts
elmo elmo
WA, 8894 posts
2 Feb 2007 12:04pm
quote:
Originally posted by elizabethb

quote:
Originally posted by mineral1

elizabethb, was wondering how long it would be before this topic caught your eye
Cant believe somebody hasnt already taken it off your hands
Have a goodn

Mineral


lol! I know.... I can't seem to get rid of it. Only asking $75 with free postage and it hasn't even been out of the house! lol....

Anyhoot....

Gooooodwinds


It's had your head in it... how can we compete with that?
reiffo
reiffo
SA
147 posts
reiffo reiffo
SA, 147 posts
2 Feb 2007 4:46pm
Where is Mr Waveslave??? There have been at least 6 gay references normally he would make an appearence by now

handyswanny
handyswanny
WA
14 posts
handyswanny handyswanny
WA, 14 posts
2 Feb 2007 5:05pm
The ear holes on my Gath were making such a whistle that i covered the ear holes with Duck tape, it Really gets rid of the whistle, but i can still hear ok. Instead of duck tape they can be filed with silicon.
One day i was a Sailing at Brighton (south Scarb)and got nailed in the shore break.The boards fin came crunching into my head and made an indentation in helmet.I know i wouldnt be here today,if it wasnt for my gath.(i remember the days when they said car safety belts were a was of time!!)
Other advantages they keep my bald spot from burning,and really help with SURFERS EAR.Now that really hurts!! I Never sail without my Gath.Have been windsurfing for 27 solid years this year.
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