I just ordered one.. http://shop.camelbak.com/tahoelr/d/1317_c_100

A bumbag style drinking system that also holds your bumbag style PFD? Awesome..

I reckon if I was in trouble enough to want to deploy my PFD I'd want to be wearing it, not fishing it out of another bumbag, then clipping it on...etc etc

(this presupposes that I've remembered to bring it)

If you can't swim and are out on the water these bumbag type PFD's and very stupid and dangerous IMO.. Particularly this idea of having it inside your drinking system.

But if you're a good swimmer and only have to carry the stupid thing because of the laws that are forced apon us I think these inflatable type PFD's are a great idea..

I like to have my water bottle holder around my waist and behind me.. and was going to have to wear my bulb bag PFD in the front where it gets in the way.

Once I get it I'll let you know if it works.. (If the PFD fits inside)

In my opinion, anything that encourages the carrying of a PFD is a good thing ( it's better than nothing) however knowing the limitations of what you're chosen is essential. I know people that carry them and have never even tried them in deployed mode. Yep, they are fiddly to don on land let alone in the water. I find they are more suitable as a race PFD in a controlled environment where there are other means of rescue like support boats etc rather than suitable for use in solo downwind training runs. However, accompanied with a mobile phone, flare and leg rope, you have a self rescue kit that is attached to you and doesn't affect your paddling or fun, and therefore likely to be always taken with you. Carrying waters optional, and can actually effect your balance being high up on the body during SUP. I've found it's beneficial to train the body to not rely on water in shorter races under 90 mins, 200ml of electrolytes is my choice, 3lt CamelBak, who wants to struggle with that, 1lt is bad enough.

Stay safe.
R

riverider said..

Don't know what sort you guys have, but the one I have that I wear on the front comes in a Velcro bag, all you have to do is pull it straight over your head and pull the cord, it's already tied to your waist, doesn't take more than 10 seconds to deploy.

Yeah...we've got those...but most of us down here have the possibly dumb habit of wearing them around the back (so it's not in the way climbing onto your board after a spill)

Probably older model, but not bad for 60 bucks!

www.torpedo7.co.nz/content/closed

Big weekend of downwinding...I'm in for both

Cheers

Abdillam said..
Big weekend of downwinding...I'm in for both

Cheers

Saturday downwinder is looking ok for about a 9am meet at Sandy with about 22 knots north wind forcast.

I really like it.

I've got three other waist packs [Camelbak, Kathmando and DaKine] and a few backpack types.. so I really didn't need another..

The big attraction with this was the ability to carry my waist type PFD inside it.. and it works great.

It's the best and most comfortable out of the four different types.. You can see mine here.. [at the start and end of the vid]

btw I didn't use it on the w/e [Mad Paddle]