Expensive sail last night.. I have never broken gear ( probably because Im a lightweight ) but for the first time ever the board speared into the back of a wave resulting in a catapult. I restarted & sailed off & then realised I'd left my prescription sunnnies at the bottom of the lake. I had them tied on with one of those black felt ties but I don't think it was as tight as I could have had it..
I wonder whether it would be safer to use the standard string type glass holders & then tie the string to the wetsuit tag so if they fly off they are still attached to the wetsuit..or would the string attachments slip off with force..?

I use the neoprene holders that slide over each arm of the glasses. If the wind is quite strong I'll wear a gath helmet that really keeps the glasses secure.

sboardcrazy, feel for you loosing prescription sunnies
When I purchased mine, the supplier sold me the safety strap that has the snake type ends, fitted over the arms. They wont come off.
He then recommended, when I use them, to twist the strap behind neck once, then drop the loop over my head, so the strap is around the front of neck. This way if they get forced off back side, they stay on, and same if forced over the front side. The loop stops them coming off. Just remember when you go to take them off, the loop is at the front
Oh, and wear a helmet, saves sunnies, skin damage and head impacting hard bits.

sboardcrazy said...

Some good tips.pity they are a bit late!I usually do wear a helmet but as the weather is warming up I stopped wearing it..
snake type ends, fitted over the arms
What are these..?
I use the neoprene holders that slide over each arm of the glasses
thats what i was using but I think i got a bit blase and didnt bother to have them as tight as usual..I rarely catapult...

snake type ends, fitted over the arms
What are these..?
Same thing I think you described. They are a rubber boot that is moulded into the ends of the leash and stretch over the ends of the arms. Wont come off once you fit them on, as the force on the leash to remove them, thins the rubber boot ends out, and clamps even tighter to the arm.

I dont bother with glasses and simply keep my eyes shut tight, especially when going out through the waves

I use plastic glasses. Much cheaper and no biggy if you lose them. Losing the drink is still a bummer though.

Prior to learning how to windsurf last year, I'd regularly do the mini Gatorade triathlon's in Melbourne. Hardly iron-man stuff - quick dip, 10k bike, gentle jog - nothing too strenuous. Whilst I really enjoyed them, I used to hate the messing about with putting contacts in to get me to the start line for the swim, ditching them for prescription goggles and then changing again to prescription sunnies for the bike/run. I was like a zombie trying to find my bike - banging into marshals etc. I actually lost my bike once after the goggles steamed up on one of those killer hot mornings in Jan/Feb. So - Intralase surgery. Best money I ever spent - no more prescriptions, pays for itself and absolutely no pain/side effects. Back to work the following day in fact. 5 years in and still perfect vision - now recognised as a low risk procedure.

Here are two pictures of the "systems" I used :

pierrec45 said...

CROWEMAN said...

now recognised as a low risk procedure.

Actually only the self-regulated industry says that. Not unlike rounding up sardines to man the fishing fleet.

A bit of research finds an absolute ton of disgruntled people, and I'd be a borderline one. It has to be definitely way less than the industry-claimed 95%. There was a TV program in yank country where they did a random survey not using the here-is-my-list-of-happy-customers supplied by the industry. The satisfaction rate was 75%, the bottom-line question was: "would you do it again". The US Food & Drug Administration has a program to review this entire industry. Findings are due to come out only in 2 years unfortunately. (Mind you, I'm talking about a private system, not corrections due to injuries on the public medicare. The latter is probably better regulated.)

Sorry to rain on your parade, and most glad that you're a happy customer, but this is serious matter.

Can only talk about personal experience - which has been excellent - and its clearly an alternative to specs/contacts for many people who enjoy sports. You'll find research stating the pros and cons for any surgical procedure if you look hard enough - its called 'risk' - exists in every walk of life. The trick is to weigh up what the benefits are likely to be for your own lifestyle - including the downside if you end up being part of the statistical minority which proves that things sometimes go wrong. As with any elective procedure, nobody is forcing you to do it - you have a clear choice not to. For me - great choice. For you - maybe not. No parade to rain on - just a view.

did the gath helmet sun glass thing for 4 hours yesterday with some good stacks and didnt lose them once, although came close to the end of my nose a few times. good call.

sboardcrazy said...

I sussed out cheap sunnies at the optometrist & you can buy tinted goggles for watersports in set increments .They are only $40 & she said she could order some in in a script close to mine .It sounded like you could get each eye a different strength although there are only .5 increments..bit daggy but they are anti fog & look secure & comfortable so i might get a set of sunnies for driving & the goggles for sailing..It won't wreck the image as I look pretty daggy with the fluoro vest anyway..
I dont bother with glasses and simply keep my eyes shut tight, especially when going out through the waves
Good way not to be scared of the big ones! but not much fun if your eyesight is as bad as mine..pretty boring when everything is blurry..

I got the goggles & very disapointing..the idea is great but so far I 've had 3 attempts to use them & given up.You are supposed to wet them & then tip the water out to get the antifog lining to work but then I had watermarks / smears all over them so i couldnt see.The first sail was in over 30kts with 3ft chop so not a good idea! I ended up putting them up on my forehead so i could sail back in & at least see what was ahead.Went back to the trusty prescription specs ( transitions that no longer go dark ). Next sail after advise I tried to blow the excess water out & wiped gently..still RS. Next cleaned with glass cleaner ( it says not to clean with anything but they were smeary & the optometrist said his stuff was ok ) + rain ex on the outside..still too smeary/ watermarked + fogging..? Oh well time to give up so great idea but I dont think they are the go for above water sports..Might give them one last try & give rainex inside & out although I think Ive wrecked the antifog lining now.
Anyone used this idea & succeeded?

I was sent a device for this once - I think free with a Freesail subscription. Think it's called a 'doggle'. It's made from the same material as a rash vest so is light and soft. A simple loop that attaches by velcro around your neck with a separate loop at the back. You can loop your cap or sunnies strap through the loop at the back. If they come off, they're still attached to your neck.

Tried to Google but no luck. Would be easy to make though. I'll try to dig it up and post a photo.