Should you Wear an Impact Vest/Buoyancy Aid Kitesurfing?

If you are wondering if you should wear an impact vest kitesurfing or what type of vest you should have, this video explains the differences, how they work and what one might suit you best.
Should you Wear an Impact Vest/Buoyancy Aid Kitesurfing?

[@ronblume3071]

Wise advice Luke. I’ll stop thinking about getting one & just do it 👍

[@FlukesKitesurfing]

Hahah, good to hear

[@petervanderkolk4807]

Thank you for a clear explanation on impact / flotation vests, appreciated.

[@donronaldo5454]

Great video... It inspired me to buy a vest... Avoiding accidents is just not enough, I like to be prepared. Especially as old beginner in temperatures down to 7 degrees Celsius

[@FlukesKitesurfing]

Good to hear! And yes, us too, where we kite in cold water, not only is it safer if you have to self rescue etc, but warmer. I wear mine mainly just to stop the wind chill! :)

[@vikingkitesurfacademyschoo8054]

My impact vest and helmet have saved my life several times. Nobody ever plans to have an accident. Do you disable your car's airbags because you don't plan to have a crash today? Many experienced riders say that vests and helmets are for beginners... but advanced riders routinely take much bigger risks. If not for your own safety, consider your family who are nervous every time you ride. Wearing safety gear will reduce their stress, and maybe save your life.

[@FlukesKitesurfing]

Thanks for letting everyone know!

[@davestybay]

Some important points in your Vlog. I usually wear a 3/2 wetsuit or a 3/4 wetsuit in winter as we have cold water here. My impact vest has been sidelined for a few years now but the wetsuit provides some floatation and protection. I also wear a Gath helmet when kitesurfing and surfing ... probably not that stylish but it has saved my "brain-box" on more than one occasion. When stuff goes wrong, it goes wrong in an instant ...

[@FlukesKitesurfing]

Hey Dave, yes, the wetsuit does help with buoyancy. But, even in cold water I wear my wetty and vest, and yes, a helmet can really be safer too! :)

[@jeffc6038]

Dam... you are one smart surfer well done

[@FlukesKitesurfing]

haha thanks

[@wileycoyotegenius1]

Yeah, i got in trouble offshore because i didnt wear my vest. it was a lesson learned the hard way. just be safe while having fun

[@FlukesKitesurfing]

Hey Wiley, yes, that's it, it's all fun until you're swimming! Everything obviously worked out ok which is good!

[@nigelwright8726]

Totally agree with all your points. No reason not to wear one!

[@lxfguits]

Started kiting a couple of months ago. First thing I bought was a wetsuit and a vest in the same style as yours. Wear it every time. Friend who started kiting with me already has some possibly permanent damage to his stomach muscles from not wearing a vest riding a board behind a jet ski.

[@alanjm1234]

I use a wetsuit designed for barefoot waterskiing. It has buoyancy built in around the chest, actually rated as a PFD, and also offers impact protection, barefooting crashes are always high speed.

[@didierslasher376]

Again Luke, thanks, it’s always good to watch your videos, I am definitely getting one now Take care mate

[@FlukesKitesurfing]

Great to hear Didier :)

[@tennisclipsonline11]

Great explanation 👍🏼

[@unaluv88]

Thanks for the advice bro! Great cap btw :D

[@FlukesKitesurfing]

For sure :)

[@jackbenichou]

I bought one and never wear it. You got me thinking I should wear it!

[@FlukesKitesurfing]

hey Jack, Me too for a long time, it was uncomfortable and to bulky.. so i never used it, but really enjoying using my new one now! its worth it

[@silvanodegennaro4642]

Two more reasons: it protects your ribs if you fall on rocks (my friend broke 5 ribs last year on a jump gone wrong), and it stops certain waist band harnesses from hurting or slipping up.

[@1irlmike]

Great info!!!

[@mrricksurfs249]

Great vide mate well done 👍👍

[@FlukesKitesurfing]

Perfect thanks mate!

[@gBayCanada]

Great Vlog. I need a vest and this is very helpful.

[@FlukesKitesurfing]

Thanks mike! and yes, get yourself one :) I would suggest always getting one from a shop.. Don't buy it online as each model and brand will fit differently and it is really important to get one that fits well. (otherwise you might now wear it anyway)

[@gBayCanada]

Excellent advise. I did buy one online and had to return it because it was too small.

[@Paraboemba]

The Newton thing: Let's say you have N newton vest, it reduces your weight by N/10 in kilograms. So If you have a 50 newton vest, it reduces your weight by 5kg. As humans already almost float as human bodies are mostly water, fat and air, the additional 5 kg is a lot.

[@englishmanbo]

Will a vest help, I have lots of bruised ribs from board while dragging upwind. 1st week kiting.

[@pitterpit9964]

Isn't the front zipper hurting, when the harness is tight and lifted up by the pulling kite?

[@gustavosessa4375]

Great video mate!! Just wondering where i can find the info of "lift" when buying a impact vest. Is it on the label? On the websites they don't provide it 😁

[@FlukesKitesurfing]

Hey, hmm, can't say for all brands... but you are looking for the newton rating. Things like 50N would be the rate. Some impact vests though are not meant to be life saving flotation, so maybe they leave it off. Not sure. Good luck with it :)

[@jink6091]

That looks like a nice kiting area. Where is it? I don't like bigger foam pads cuz sometimes you slam into the water and the cover of the foam digs into your rib bruising it.

[@FlukesKitesurfing]

Hey Jin, we are in the Caribbean at the moment :) Your impact vest bruises you?

[@tormodhenryskalsvik3154]

Great advices! Any ideas for impact vest with good floatation? I am a beginner and are wearing the Helly Hansen launch vest, but it could not protect me from getting a good beating last time.. so during my recovery I'm trying to find s better solution. But I really want the flotation too.. Thanks for all the good videos!

[@FlukesKitesurfing]

cheers thanks for the comment :) great to have you here! for buoyancy, you'll be looking for a vest rated with 50N, which is the standard IKO has set for anyone taking lessons with a qualified instructor. Some impact vests are more for hard landings/crashes then buoyancy, but comfort & maneuverability can be important to. We both have the ION impact vests from afew years ago, but the ones from Ride Engine i imagine would be pretty top notch + flotation since they are pretty involved with the Wake boarding industry to. hope this helps a little :) & let us know if you have any other questions! all the best ~flukes kitesurfing

[@edouardgander2213]

Hey, bit late to the party so you might have purchased something already but I got the Forward WIP Impact 50N, and it works great as both impact protection and buoyancy aid. Plus the shape works well with a harness

[@benedictramirez9290]

Do u think it'll do in skimboarding?kinda thinking about safety., we've been.in a spot not.knowing the water and.almost drowned 2 of our friends., what can u recommend?

[@casahan1]

Great point, It'll save energy when you tread that water. I'm getting Ion Element sidezip. May I ask your height/weight and size of your vest ? I'm 6'/160lb. Debating Medium or Large.

[@FlukesKitesurfing]

For sure hey :) I'm abit smaller then you & wear a size M, it'd be best if you can get into a shop to try them on :)

[@casahan1]

@@FlukesKitesurfing thanks Luke

[@scooterboyify]

im new to the sport. just a quick question. when you launch your kite and are walking to the water, should you keep it at high noon, or at a 45 degrees on the edge of the window

[@FlukesKitesurfing]

Hey mate great to hear your getting into the sport! Yup you got it, after you launch the kite, kite will be around 45 degrees in the direction you are travelling, or slightly higher. You can adjust the angle between 45 degrees and 12oclock depending on wind strength, with the kite at 45 in stronger wind there will be more pull from the kite here- to control this bring the kite higher and you should be able to walk down to the water more comfortably. It's best practice to avoid keeping your kite directly at 12 to prevent it from luffing over-- if there is a small gust the kite can loose tension on the lines at 12, invert by flipping over and fall out of the sky. By keeping the kite slightly off 12 rather then directly high noon there will always be some tension on the lines to prevent luffing.

[@scooterboyify]

Thank you!! Love your videos

[@surfa05]

...in land the Zenith it's your "enemy "... because if a gust lift yoy up you can't do nothing! Instead if your kite is low...you can contrast in somehow the force....or activate the security!....so that's why you should launch in the direction of the water....directly....so you don't have to pas the Zenith....where the wind force could be also different....than the ground speed!😊

[@benedictmoral3053]

what can u recommend for skimboarding? kinda thinking about safety..offcourse with bouoyancy..THANKS

[@FlukesKitesurfing]

Not sure sorry mate!

[@jsosaite]

Fortaleza Brazil ?

[@FlukesKitesurfing]

We were there not to long ago! :D But this is actually in Dom Rep

[@jsosaite]

Flukes Kitesurfing cool man ... i have a few houses there .. one at Fortaleza and one are Jericoacoara villa ... when was the last time u there ... and thanks for all the great info u put out ... really easy to get it. Thanks 🙏

[@jsosaite]

Add instragram.. dream_maiker

[@adamdennis2936]

Surfing. No kite. 7'2" robust funboard. I keep an eye on my dogs playing on the beach. Looked at the beach, but assumed my board wouldn't pop up. Turned out the back of a 3 foot wave, but slipped. Chest contusion. Felt like my guts were hanging out of my side ribs and my backbone might have been broken. Sternum bruised. No deep breaths for about 3 weeks. Felt like my right lung was under sediment. Doctors sniggered like "Nah, no broken bone." Have you ever heard of a chest contusion? 3 months, people. Btw, typical surfer. 40 years old.

[@AndrewPattullo]

Floation jackets are unessary in salt water as you will float ... however kitesurfing in freshwater ie Lakes is another matter .... some sort of floation is a must

[@petegaskell4274]

what a load of shit!

[@AKJammer1]

@@petegaskell4274 Now, now. He's obviously young and doesn't know better, but no need to be rude about it. The difference in floatation between salt water and fresh water, while there, is minimal, maybe 3-4 lbs of lift. Here in Florida, all we do is salt. We can sink just as fast as in the great lakes. Where a vest, especially when new. Struggling with a kite launch while attempting to tread water at the same time can be a nightmare. Also, getting jerked around and slapping the water hard with a vest on is no big deal, without a vest can know the wind out of you or worse.