Hi..have been thinking about getting one of these as my preferred surf break is a good 3.5km paddle around point of the coast and very isolated. Often I go there by myself and winter swells can get pretty heavy. I like the look of the O'Neill Gooru Vest. Looks minimal but provide support and hopefully floatation.
Is anyone using this Vest? Or other suggestions.. Can you still dive under waves with it on? Does it give much float and get you to the top quicker..and I know some people wear them under wetsuit.. Does it stretch your wetter much or to the point where it gets too big without the best on under it..and are they restrictive to paddle in
Chur.. Any feedback appreciated.

Hiya ... Ive got a gooru ... use it occasionally for windsurfing learning moves that crash the back or ribs ... Havnt worn it much for sup , but for big days I will think about it ... will definately pop you up quicker , and that is a big plus on a big wipeout - pushing you up through the foam quicker after a long or unexpected hold-down. For getting under waves its going to harder , but I would probably sooner have a bit of piece of mind on a big wipeout than getting under a few and getting a bit more rumbled because of being too shallow ... Its super warm - which is another plus on cold / exposed paddling days ... it does fit fine under wetsuit ... but your wetsuit needs a bit of flex and a comfortable fitting size (ie not on the small side like my full on winter suit) ... If you try one on , dont try over-arming it to take it off like a normal top as its super hard and feels like it will pop your shoulders (its really grippy/snug on ) , instead , pull out the side and wriggle yr elbow and arm out the bottom of one side (its cut nice and low under the armpit) , then open yr arm to lift it up and off one side , then other ... WHen its on you quickly adjust to the feel , its definately not like wearing an outside vest that feels like a michelen man .... Also would probably stop that annoying big face wipeout kidneys slap down the face . Gives piece of mind of your way offshore ,that if you were to get winded , pop a shoulder or something else , that you can just lay there and deal with the situation rather than waste energy having to stay kick to stay affloat ... havnt noticed at all it stretching wetter generally , not restrictive to paddle with ... I sup alot of time offshore reefs , deserted spots etc ... and definately gives that extra piece of mind on tough days ... go for one .... the added warmth with hardly any restriction on cold days is also nice !

Dakine had a nice minimal vest

Gooru is good.

Awesome guys..thanks

Those inflatable vests that big wave surfers use look the biz but a bit over the top for the average day
But in saying that I have been held down hard to the point of blacking out in 4 ft

Just tried on a Gooru.. Really comfortable and not to bulky.. Look awesome..could b my next purchase..

Hi Supmaori,

I've been using my old kitesurfing impact vest on the sup lately (mostly because no one is selling wettie vests around here & water still too warm for a streamer) and find it's perfect.

Just enough floatation to assist, if you needed a long swim ( swim tested on a deflated kite a long way out to sea), but not too much if you need to dive under waves.
Yes you look a bit of a wanker, but it works and you won't be upset if you happen to need it.

Patagonia make a great one with lots of room around arms/shoulders!

Good for taking punches from aggro surfers as well?

I have an ION Impact vest. Use it most of the time. Great having peace of mind out the back if your leg rope breaks etc....highly recommend using one. You do need to get a size that is quite tight on you however.... If you put it over your wetsuit like me, that will stop it riding up when being smashed..
i also use it windsurfing... I have tried it prone surfing, duck dived ok with it but uncomfortable to lie down paddle, so I don't tend to use it surfing.

I wear the guru all the time when surf has a bit of size.....and often simply when I fancy a bit of extra warmth. No problems ducking under waves......and great peace of mind if you are getting dealt to in the shore break due to the quicker pop up factor extra float

Back in sunny SA (CT) we use impact vests instead of w/suit or life vest on downwinders - they're the biz!
for surfing the big-wave-boyz / tow-crew wear one under their w/suits... gives additional float (you pop up like a cork) & still able to duck-dive (talking prone surf here, never worn one under w/suit for sup - too warm for me!)

www.surfstitch.com/boardsports/surf/wetsuits/mens/vests