Thanks
Sat, 09/04/2010 - 19:35
Hi guys I'm back, took all your advice, bought a trainer, flew 20+ hours, lessons at air-support, now I ready to ride-fly, pretty stoked, I have more questions, safety gear, does anybody use, PFD, helmet, I think I would feel better in a PFD
Sat, 09/04/2010 - 19:50
#1
I have been riding since 02
I have been riding since 02 and have always worn a pfd and never worn a helmet, the choice is yours with what you are comfortable with.
Sat, 09/04/2010 - 22:25
#2
plenty of people wear helmets
plenty of people wear helmets 
PFDs? not as much. but wear what makes you feel comfortable out there.
Fri, 09/10/2010 - 21:40
#3
good choice
when i started kiting, i really enjoyed my dakine impact vest harness. great for getting beat off the water with no brusies and knowing you float is always comforting. ive tried a helmet a few times, it feels too weird. kiteboarding is a danger sport so how safe you make it is up to u
peace
Sat, 09/11/2010 - 09:54
#4
PFD
Jeano - not many people wear PFDs, but I do. I wear a Jet Pilot slim fitting wakeboard PFD under my waist harness. https://store.jetpilot.com/jetpilot/product/?catID=47&prodID=559 Acts as an impact vest and prevents my harness from riding up. Gives me peace of mind when I'm riding far out from shore. I used to wear a helmet, but don't any more unless the conditions are real gnarley (winds onshore with rocks downwind of me, etc.). My helmet did prevent me from getting concussion once at Chapin when I got lofted into a pile of baby head sized rocks!
Mon, 09/13/2010 - 17:57
#6
Kitesurfing with a helmet
The helmets have been said are good in regard to you hitting your head with board. Even a wave can bring a board at you. Leashes are a major no! That causes your board to fly at you and creates bad habits. The helmets with the baseball cap bill can grab water and give you wiplash. Even a reg helmet can be said to bucket water causing strain. So there are people on both sides helmet to protect from board or no helmet to protect from seriously wrenching your neck. But as far as impact with ground a plastic helmet will not protect like a $200 kevlar kayak helmet. So again the helmet is for impact with board.
PFD's are not normally used and are bulky. Impact vests can give flotation. Just be careful not to have to much on all this gear can potentially snag your lines http://masskiting.com/kiteboarding-forum/i-hope-not-comeing-beach-near-you this vid here shows the leash issue...
Thanks again guys for all the input. definitely going with the PFD. I've got so many helmets in storage now, i'm not sure I want to add to that colection. Looking foward to meeting some Mass-kiters at Nickerson Oct 1, I booked a site
see ya there