Just wondering who wears helmets and for what reasons? Do they hinder or help your sailing? and what kind?

i have a gath helmet...i have had a few big crashes and if i didnt have it i recon it would have been a trip to the hospital for stitches...
with the hearing there is just about no difference, there are vents that you can open or close, but really you cant notice it
hope that helps

The older you get the more you feel your mortality, and less inclined to worry about "image" and fashion.

So yeah I have a gath, the main reason I wear it is for safety,
just don't like the idea of being knocked unconscious out the back.

It's got a pull down visor, thought this would be great for glare, instead of glasses, but it's horrible pulled right down, the curve distorts everything, your peripheral vision keeps seeing a good size swell each side of you, when you look round it's dead flat!!!

But, it keeps the sun off my almost bare head, and with the visor partly down keeps the sun out of my eyes.

Hearing is slightly impared, there can also be a bit of a whistle in the ear holes at speed.

Another negative is increased head area, that increases the force on the neck when you hit the water,

Elmo had a crash last year that split his helmet open like a watermelon, put him in bed with the worst headache he's had, but he didn't loose concsiousness, without the helmet he might not be here!!!

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Originally posted by Haircut 4000

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elmo windsurfs?? I have a whole new respect for sesame street

How long have you been looking at this forum haircut?????
Thought every body new elmo

Ears have a direct influence over ones balance.

Helmets that cover the ears may cause bad-balance with some sailors.

quote:

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Originally posted by FilthyAmatuer

money is too precious to spend it on things like preserving your safety

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there speaks the voice of youth!!!!
(And in your case filth, I hope it goes on speaking)

G'day all

As decrepit put in I demolished one, No hysteria or anything but it definately saved my life, I carry it in my car to show anyone who is Umming and arring about getting one.

The sad thing is that it the second one I have smashed.

My kids started windsurfing last year and before I bought them their gear I got them a nice shiney Gath each.

The question about sound is not a problem whilst you are sailing although it does give you a good excuse for dropping in if you are surfing.

A good Hidden bonus for the Gaths is in Winter, They keep your head nice and warm.

If you look at a gath for windsurfing, choose the fixed Visor Jobby is probably the best, it makes the front of the helmet more rigid and can possibly deflect a mast or boom chop away from your nose.

Better to wear a helmet than to be dead or even worst brain damaged.


Now The ELMO handle how that orginated is for another day

Fashion statement....Kiters how narcissistic they are! I've seen some Kiters even wearing board shorts outside their wetsuits, how gay do they look I can't wait till they wear their speedos outside their wetsuits hmm little gay wanna be supermen. Such shallow poeple victims of fashion

Completely agree with you flatus.

However, I must state that is must just be the kiters that are smart enough to wear board shorts over their wetsuit. In the shallow water at wello, there are many sharp rocks and coral, and if you do stack it, at least you're more likely to tear your board shorts and not your wet suit. Apart from that, it's a comfort and appearance issue for some people.

At least we can fly already

hey decrep,

I wear it when its nuts, but when it isnt too windy or the waves arent big I prefer not to have it on... just feels a little restrictive.

hows the mandurah sailing been going? u been getting out much this winter?

Had the old style Gath helmet with the visor and covered the ears. Problem is I cant handle the wind throught the ears and partial loss of sound. Can cut holes in the ears like a few friends have, it helps a little but still not perfect.

Solved the problem by buying the new Gath helmet where you can remove the ears. Love it!! Wouldnt even know the helmet was on your head. No sound problem. Light weight. Whats more, if you have the chrome dome it protects the scone from the UV as well.

Like most, tend to only wear it when the wind is howling, waves are up, and/or doing the solo trips way out back.

The trend for this coming season will be to wear a T-shirt over the harness(with a hole for the hook).

Rashvests are now gay.

Like to wear my Gath in winter time to keep the old scone warm Also if it is crazy wind and swell, gives you a bit of confidence to go for some wild stunts
The classic kiter fashion statement is those baggy track looking pants. They look fully sick mate NOT!!!!

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Originally posted by FilthyAmatuer

hey decrep,

hows the mandurah sailing been going? u been getting out much this winter?

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Hey Filth.
Nup, had a couple of onshore blasts inside the reef, but nothing to write home about.

After all these comments I have decided to fly in the face of fashion and start my own trend. I like to call it the minimalist approach... leopard skin g-string, worn backwards to get the "flys eyes", with a bit of zinc on my helmet to protect it from chaffing and the blistering effects of the sun.

now it all makes sense!!