I know this topic has been skimmed over in the past, but with the nationals coming up and requirements for PFD's in racing I was curious as to what everyone has been using. I have been borrowing a few different brands recently and the most comfortable one I have found is the Mocke Racer PFD (orange pic below), but I'm not sure if it meets the right safety standards?? Can anyone advise on this or recommend an alternative. I have also tried the ocean paddler (bottom pic, yellow) which isn't too bad but feels a little heavier/sweatier on a long race if that makes sense, maybe because it has more material in contact with your body whereas the orange one kind of sits off a bit, hard to explain...

Any advise or suggestion is appreciated. Thanks.

As far as legality goes, every PFD should have the rating printed on the inside. These ones you've attached look as though they would be PFD 2. If so, they are perfectly acceptable at Nationals. PFDs are only required in the Long Distance race event at Nationals. My understanding is that Surfing Australia has decreed that inflatable PFDs will be allowed, and that being the case, I suspect most competitors will use one of those, and most likely the type that attaches around the waist. They are without doubt the most comfortable for paddling when they are rolled up in the bag although obviously not necessarily the safest until they are inflated.

got these real cheap

PFD type 1 inflatable = Best bet for SUP paddling.

Used around the world and accepted in Australia as the maritime gold standard. Just make sure you get your canisters serviced every 1-2years (depending on use).

The minimum PFD safety standard recommended by AuSUP and acknowledged by Surfing Australia is - PFD type 1,2, & 3 (including inflatables type1) for racing offshore greater than 400m.

You may find that different PFDs provide different Buoyancy and this should be taken into account for the conditions.
The Mocke is very popular with surfskis, but I don't believe inflatables are allowed for surfski events.

Thanks for the replies. I will look into the waist band style ones if I end up coming to the Nats. Here in SA the SA Ocean Paddlers (mostly Surfskis, kayaks and outriggers) encourage us to compete in their races but they require PFD's so I will have to check if tehy will be happy for the waist band style ones too, otherwise I think I'll have to go something like the Mocke aswell.

Also the floaties give me chaffing around thighs... maybe im doing it wrong

Thanks again!

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Bleachy said..

Thanks for the replies. I will look into the waist band style ones if I end up coming to the Nats. Here in SA the SA Ocean Paddlers (mostly Surfskis, kayaks and outriggers) encourage us to compete in their races but they require PFD's so I will have to check if tehy will be happy for the waist band style ones too, otherwise I think I'll have to go something like the Mocke aswell.

Also the floaties give me chaffing around thighs... maybe im doing it wrong

Thanks again!

If you are going to buy something like the Mocke, you might like to consider one with a hydration bladder pocket.

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PTWoody said..


If you are going to buy something like the Mocke, you might like to consider one with a hydration bladder pocket.

I do like the look of that jacket but it doesn't come in OFB sizes . On their website they don't explicitly refer to hydration options but it shows "utility pockets front and rear", the rear one looks big enough for a bladder.

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HumanCartoon said..

PTWoody said..


If you are going to buy something like the Mocke, you might like to consider one with a hydration bladder pocket.

I do like the look of that jacket but it doesn't come in OFB sizes . On their website they don't explicitly refer to hydration options but it shows "utility pockets front and rear", the rear one looks big enough for a bladder.

Ultra definitely has some big sizes available from memory and their range includes options for large pockets at the back suitable for hydration bladders.