After much procrastination and a variety of other excuses I purchased one of these beasts. I first used one in 1995 on my first trip to Indo - it had a sun visor and it used to fall down and annoy the hell out of me. I can confirm after using one of their latest models this last month that there are none of those issues. A while back Chrispy smashed his leg open on a fin cut, a friend of a friend then had 15 stitches in his head from a fin cut and shortly after that I head banged my board and left a big dent in both the board and my head - thank goodness for the soft foam and light glass job of the CI Pod I was riding at the time Rose was at me to get myself one as I had been surfing a lot by by myself and in remote areas. Finally after helping a fella into shore after he had a fit in the surf it dawned on me that I should get one. Just not worth the risk.

My first thoughts after using it was that it felt terrible. I lost all sense of balance and surfed like a kook. I got water in the ears and it felt like my head was 10 foot wide. I blew loads of waves. It was embarrassing. After about 6 or 7 surfs though it all started to come together and pretty soon I hardly noticed it at all. Yes I still blow a wave here and there (helmets fault surely) but on the whole after a solid month of using it I do not even notice I wear one. I know TB wears one as well and never hits the surf without it.

One of the main reasons I started to wear one was my concern just not of myself but of others in the water. Fibreglass is a dangerous weapon in the wrong hands and also when people just get caught in those unlucky situations. I have recently moved to a location where I am surfing loads of spots over shallow reefs. Although I have suffered loads of smashing and been bounced over the reef far too many times - with the helmet on I feel completely relaxed when its all turning to crap. Its a really nice feeling - I mentioned today to Chrispy (who encouraged me to write this review) that its not like it makes you feel invincible but close! Its nice feeling as you are getting smashed to not to have to worry too much about what might happen if your head hits the bottom. Its also nice when you are paddling out and caught in terrible situation to know that the head at least has some sort of protection from flying fibreglass n fins.

Downsides include not being able to hear as effectively - less chat time in the surf - or you need to speak louder ! Means you get more waves as you are not absorbed in endless chat You definitely lose some peripheral vision and it takes a while to adjust - especially when you are in the good bit of the wave. Sometimes you end up with a touch of water trapped between your ear and the helmet - easily fixed by just pulling the helmet out a bit to empty the water. Duck diving takes a little bit to get used to - but after a few sessions it does not bother you. Also it looks terrible and people think you must be a charger when you wear one. But in reality heaps of people ask you why you wear it and how it is. They seem generally interested. I think I may have even convinced a few people to give one a go.

For me I feel a lot safer and more relaxed in the water and am glad I brought it. This is the one I got - make sure you try them on and get a nice tight fit - not too tight but like a bike helmet - they are no good when they do not fit properly. Below is a couple of photos to show that they do not hold you back that much.

Good review mate, I've been looking at them just in the last few days, especially given the crowds where I usually surf.
I really don't care how I look, no oil painting to start with so not much to lose in the looks department.
I'm sure more and more people will go this way as time passes, just like bike helmets.

Ps. Did you remove the ear covers?

I've worn one a few times. Like you I found duck diving a bit of a strange feeling . I got an old green one in my garage that I might use when it gets cold to keep the wind off my melon. That one in the pic looks like they have come a long way in design from the old ones.

Yes indeed smh they have improved out of sight. In terms of the ear covers Vanders - its really tempting. But the more I think about the more I realise its probably the wrong move as if the ** hits the fan I want my ears covered as well. They are super comfy around the ears. I have talked to people who have removed the ears and they love it. For me it defeats half the purpose I got it - they are staying on.

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Ted the Kiwi said..
Yes indeed smh they have improved out of sight. In terms of the ear covers Vanders - its really tempting. But the more I think about the more I realise its probably the wrong move as if the ** hits the fan I want my ears covered as well. They are super comfy around the ears. I have talked to people who have removed the ears and they love it. For me it defeats half the purpose I got it - they are staying on.

Probably the right logic there mate.

P.s. Text me your number.

I that carbon fibre that second choice ted

My first one got chewed up by my mates dog down at Prevelly Margaret River, still got my second one. I've always worn them to keep cold Southerlies out of my ears. But have been wearing a hat the last few years for that...Would be good on shallow barrelly reefs though yep...barstartd!!!

I'll probably use mine again if I pick up a dcently priced gopro & stick it to the helmet. Probably never happen though since they're the worlds most overpriced cameras.

quality review ted, appreciate it.
Ive been entertaining the idea for a while.
Does it change the pressure on your ears when you do get rolled? I got bad ears (ask the missus) but seriously is it noticable?

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Razzonater said..
quality review ted, appreciate it.
Ive been entertaining the idea for a while.
Does it change the pressure on your ears when you do get rolled?

Not noticeably, will prevent broken eardrums from landing on the side of the head though, and surfer's ear.

I got 36 stitches to the face while wearing a Gath, possibly another of Roy's World Records (RWR).

I don't like them in solid waves, too much pressure on your neck when you hit the water side on as the extra area doesn't penetrate as well

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Ricardo1709 said..
I don't like them in solid waves, too much pressure on your neck when you hit the water side on as the extra area doesn't penetrate as well

+1

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Ricardo1709 said..
I don't like them in solid waves, too much pressure on your neck when you hit the water side on as the extra area doesn't penetrate as well

All waves are liquid... just saying.

Hitting the water side on with the head indicates a certain lack of planning and coordination, I suggest that one avoids head planting as part of the plan.

Eating too much chicken can also lead to chicken neck syndrome... ever seen a gath on a chicken? The reason why it's not seen is that their necks are thin and weedy, just not strong enough.

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RoyStuart said..

Ricardo1709 said..
I don't like them in solid waves, too much pressure on your neck when you hit the water side on as the extra area doesn't penetrate as well

All waves are liquid... just saying.

Hitting the water side on with the head indicates a certain lack of planning and coordination, I suggest that one avoids head planting as part of the plan.

Eating too much chicken can also lead to chicken neck syndrome... ever seen a gath on a chicken? The reason why it's not seen is that their necks are thin and weedy, just not strong enough.

Its ok Roy Ive seen your video so I am aware of your perspective-Just saying

Yeah I stay fairly vertical, and abhor falling off.

Thanks Ted.

I have been wearing my Gath for a number of years now.

A few reasons why;

Surfers Ear - Whilst it doesn't prevent the cold water entering the ear canal, it does block the wind from then causing the chill within the inner ear which lessons the reaction and bone growth.

Temperature - Keeps my bald head from burning in summer and keeps body warmth partially within during the winter months as we loose 60% of our body heat through our head.

Safety - Crowds. Boards. Fins. Paddles. Rocks. It lessons the risk of injury.

I leant my Gath to a mate surfing heaving 10 foot Cronulla Point a few years back. Was late afternoon and nearing dark and he got pummelled and carried from the Point to Kurnell in the 'Voodoo Express' rip that osolates in Cronulla. He was spotted by the Westpac chopper some 3 hours later and by the crew's own admission, he was only found as the spotlight bounced off the helmet (light reflected off the helmet shell) by chance.

I was riding a 14' SUP off Cronulla about 18 months ago and got caught up in a situation where my legrope came adrift and a strong offshore buffeted my board further to sea and left me floating. I used my Gath between my legs for bouyancy until picked up by some passers by.

I still get weird looks and feel a bit kooky but the pro's far outweigh image in my opinion.

this is my helmet

^^That's the go, custom el'merts

I bought one yesterday. After knowing two blokes who died after being knocked unconscious, being concussed by a board myself, having my head split open by a reef, and busting an eardrum from my rail collecting me.....

Well....why wouldn't I?

Of course I have bought a Gath helmet and longboard in the same week. Looks like it's all over for me and I am now THAT bloke.

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thedrip said..
I bought one yesterday. After knowing two blokes who died after being knocked unconscious, being concussed by a board myself, having my head split open by a reef, and busting an eardrum from my rail collecting me.....

Well....why wouldn't I?

Of course I have bought a Gath helmet and longboard in the same week. Looks like it's all over for me and I am now THAT bloke.

You sound perfectly intelligent to me.

Had my board ripped out of my hands when I got caught in the wrong place. It hit another surfer in the head. Geez I felt bad. Fortunately he was wearing a Garth. The only one out with one on.

Could have been a lot worse for both of us!!