Yeah yeah yeah...I know...I know...I'm now that guy who paddles out in a Gath and has people roll their eyes at them.

But...

After wearing it for six months now, it paid for itself when I had my board clock me in the head yesterday in a wipeout on five footer.

Ironically (shout out to Dali) a mate lasted two duck dives yesterday and went in bleeding after the rookie mistake of pulling his board back to him and having the pintail open him up.

Anyway, after head stitches, concussions, a burst ear drum over the years I saw the light this year when a bloke hit his board(or the bottom) and drowned. I knew a bloke who did exactly the same in 2014.

I have only hit my head a handful of times in over 30 years of surfing (I wish I was as good as 30 years suggests ), but it is a matter of when, not if it happens again. Now, if it is crowded, shallow, or over three foot the Gath comes out.

Ps: Dali was still bleeding three hours later after his mug mates used their amateur medical skills to say he didn't need a stitch. Whoops.

Hope your mate recovers with no complications

I hear ya loud and clear. I have been wearing my Gath full time since Jan 2015. Took me a while to get used to it but now with out it I feel a bit weird and uncomfortable. I love it. I had one in 95 when I first went to Indo. Misplaced it in a flat in London. 20 years later I got the new version and have loved it ever since. When I ride my dirt bike I use a helmet (plus all my other protective / safety gear) and when I snowboard i also do (as do most of the people on the mountain these days) and when in a car I wear a seatbelt. To me its a no brainer. I normally surf with no more than 10 people but when I do it scares me if I am in the wrong place at the wrong time with others in close proximity. Sometimes it can not be avoided but the consequences can. The joy of the Gath though has been amazing when I am getting smashed. No longer do I panic about what might happen to my head. I can just roll with it. Way less scary factor - you end up just rolling with it and relaxing more and feeling fine. Your breaths become more drawn out and your panic levels decrease. You basically get smashed and come up wanting more. I love the Gath ! The place I surf the most has had two people taken away with severe head injuries this year. Scary. And I live pretty remote by most accounts. One of them was a bloke on the pro tour. I surf nowhere near as good as he does - not even close - but it was a nice reminder that even the best performers come unstuck at times. I am always surprised that more people in the crowded spots do not wear them.

No one has ever laughed in my face about the Gath - most who do not know me ask me why I wear it and how it goes. I would like to think that a few people have got one on the back of my endorsement but sadly I think this is not the case.

I was thinking about getting one. When that bloke died this year it coincided with one of your posts which was my tiling point to stop thinking about. So you influenced at least one bloke.

Boys, don't just think that you need them on big days. About 6 years back, one of the best young long boarders in this area, drowned after hitting his head on the bottom, in 1 foot surf. Just always be careful, longboards can belt you, just as much as a solid wave.

+ 1 Sandy...I've had more injuries from LB's in the last 2 years than SB's in the previous 10. Worst thing is bailing off a wave & coming back up just as the wind flicks the board back at you. Like tombstones & then comes down n cracks u on the head. Always come up with my arm over my head these days.

I bought a gath in gero 11 years ago to keep my head warm & the wind out of my ears. But I stopped wearing it after getting neck injuries from going over the falls & the top of the gath adding more leverage to snap my head back...you just can't win sometimes. Also had another one for about 6 months in 1994 before my friends dog ate it.

I've got one that I've been thinking of wearing but it seems to live in the wetsuit bucket. I got hit on the head by my own board going under white water a few months back and came up a bit dizzy . I was thinking of getting a surf hat but the helmet might be a better option. Might start wearing it when it gets a bit cooler.

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smh said..
I've got one that I've been thinking of wearing but it seems to live in the wetsuit bucket. I got hit on the head by my own board going under white water a few months back and came up a bit dizzy . I was thinking of getting a surf hat but the helmet might be a better option. Might start wearing it when it gets a bit cooler.

It does do a good job of keeping your head warm mate. I was going to offer you mine, but there's one on gumtree with the visor for $50 in newcastle. The visor would be good for early morning surfs over your way. Keep the sun out of your eyes

I've got a couple of them in red and green (port and starboard). I guess it would also be good for keeping the sun off my head too. I've worn it a few times but wasn't keen on how it felt but I guess it's a matter of getting used to it.