Flotation

[TheJoe]

I used to never ride with a pfd or impact vest. All ways stuck to the don't go out further than your willing to swim. I have had a my share of swimming back in over the years as well. 2 years ago tore my pec wakeboarding. Last year ruptured my bicep while wake boarding. I stopped wake boarding and all ways wear an impact vest when riding now. It is just enough buoyancy for my head to stay above water.

[jumptheshark]

Every bit helps. I have yet to find a truly suitable coast guard approved vest for kiting with a waist harness, but use an ION vest with decent flotation. Not a big fan of the aesthetic and not sure why a simple single or simple front back, large piece foam vest can't be made for use with a harness that doesn't try to make you look like either He-man or some kind of space robot.

I'm a relatively strong swimmer and still very much appreciate the extra float when using my limbs to manage gear in the water.

[deniska]

have anyone considered inflatable belts?

I only put one on if it's a lonely ocean session in side shore conditions and a foil kite...
So far never got to a point where I wanted to inflate it on the water.
Usually I can just sit on aboard and either relaunch or pack.. but as someone already said, shit happens and you may just get separated with a board, etc..
Also I don't get people who firmly believe in "don't kite farther than you can swim" rule..
I guess they never foil ocean in side shore winds. 15 second tack on race foil in any modest swell and there is absolutely no guarantee of swim back...

[Wazza Foil]

Simple and cheap, put a couple of reasonable quality shop size plastic bags inside your wetsuit.
If floatation is required, pull bags out then fill with air and tie handles tightly together.
U maybe able to put your hand through the handles.
More detailed info available if this is not clear.

[Greenturtle]

If you get injured - swimming, tying plastic bags, even pulling rip cord on a inflatable belt, could be difficult to impossible. If momentarily unconscious, stunned /shocked etc, even more difficult or impossible.
Use flotation that is always ready and waiting to help save you -even when you aren’t ready to save yourself.

[deniska]

If you get injured - swimming, tying plastic bags, even pulling rip cord on a inflatable belt, could be difficult to impossible. If momentarily unconscious, stunned /shocked etc, even more difficult or impossible.
Use flotation that is always ready and waiting to help save you -even when you aren’t ready to save yourself.

there is always a thin line between the safety and progression.
An approved PFD is a big limiter to what you can do on the water..
I dare you to do a board-off with one

[Greenturtle]

If you get injured - swimming, tying plastic bags, even pulling rip cord on a inflatable belt, could be difficult to impossible. If momentarily unconscious, stunned /shocked etc, even more difficult or impossible.
Use flotation that is always ready and waiting to help save you -even when you aren’t ready to save yourself.

there is always a thin line between the safety and progression.
An approved PFD is a big limiter to what you can do on the water..
I dare you to do a board-off with one

I hear you. Doesn’t have to be approved to work.. What are kota riders wearing under the shirt....?

[StellaBlu]

Not to hijack this (relevant to the JRichman photo), for those that wear an impact vest, do you wear it over or under your wetsuit? Seen it both ways, and while I haven't work an impact vest, I am curious.

[geokite]

I've always worn mine over the wetsuit. The Dakine Kicker provides just enough to keep my head up, but only in sea water, not in fresh water.

Just ordered the Forward vest mentioned above. It's about time. Peace of mind for my love ones.

[TheJoe]

Not to hijack this (relevant to the JRichman photo), for those that wear an impact vest, do you wear it over or under your wetsuit? Seen it both ways, and while I haven't work an impact vest, I am curious.

Over the suit. Not everyone is small enough to fit one under the suit.