spyros said...

I was thinking I should get an impact vest for safety reasons.

Personal preference. If you're not a strong swimmer (or drop your gybes a lot in the ocean with big sails), then it's an good idea.

spyros said...
Looking for a one that will be compatible with a waist harness and also rather light in feeling so that I can have a much free moving as possible.

I've owned several. I find the best one is my current one- the Rip Curl D-bomb. No vest is going to give you free movement. They are all restrictive, but my D-bomb is very comfortable and doesn't ride up and choke you when in the water (most annoying), and has a high cut and doesn't interfere with my seat harness. I highly recommend a seat harness if you are going to use a vest.

I have a NP impact vest harness. It's a waist harness combined with vest, works well, but I'm not sure that they still sell them.

ION impact vest, do a search on the forum, there is a topic about vests

I would consider using one not for safety but for flotation, as in a fresh water lake in a summer suit, you dont have much extra flotation.

Also when the wind is very marginal and there are only occasional gusts to get you going and you have to try to keep the sail flying when there is almost no wind while waiting for the one gust that might save you a swim in.

Like most of this type gear it's now sadly marketed as a kitesurfing vest.
You really have to try on as many vests as you can, they should fit very tight to avoid them sliding up.
Some of them are too bulky in certain areas to allow free windsurfing movement.
One I tried on and may buy is made by NPX, it has a side zipper and was very uncumbersome.