I'm cruising on my big board on flatwater.
Probably maxing out at 25kts speed if I'm lucky.
jibes and blasting.

I am getting interested in wearing a helmet for using a GoPro on it.
We now have an infestation of learner kiters in our spot.
There has been collisions allready.
If there is another collision, in addition to getting some footage, it might save my brain.

I like the look of the Gul water sports helmet, not just because it's cheap.

Anyone tried these?

www.gul.com/watersports-helmets/gul/evo-helmet-yellow/930211




* I've posted my hand drag photo before. Very proud of it Including it again now as it's fitting.
I like to keep it simple and cruisey. But yeah, should stay safe.
Also interested in taking part in some events this season so it will be needed sometimes.

Yeah I just got one of these helmets.
I got it two weeks ago and only used it for snowboarding and yet to use it in for watersports, I'm learning to wing foil when NZ warms up.

Sure it's one of the cheaper helmets but it's comfortable and fit for purpose and recommend it.

I still plan on windsurfing and love my longboard and sail in the offshore 500m from home. Depending on work and tides I have to drive half and hour to wing or short board.
I've got a Ezzy Cheetah 7.5m and really like the wind range and handling

Any helmet is far better than none.

I am still a bit hesitant to wear one, not sure why.

Why don't wave sailors wear them I wonder?

Even in events. Like totally extreme, heavy as f**rk events like Cloudbreak.

I have not tried the Gul, so can't comment. My only advice is to try on before you buy. I tried all the locally available helmets when I bought mine 3 years ago and settled for the Gath, even though it was the most expensive. It was the best fit. I've never regretted spending the extra money.

Select to expand quote

dmobbsy said..
I am still a bit hesitant to wear one, not sure why.

Why don't wave sailors wear them I wonder?

Even in events. Like totally extreme, heavy as f**rk events like Cloudbreak.

I used my brothers kayak helmet when learning to loop after that but not many people used them.
Back in the day, when I had a place on Taranaki NZ (DTL wave sailing) it's not great jumping but awesome riding.
That coast is all rocks and did hear of a surfer hitting his head on an underwater rock but very unlucky.
For Fiji with such a shallow reef I would definitely wear one, those guys in the contest are next level and so confident.
Saying that Marcillo's wipeout was spectacular
Interesting in surfing you see more helmets at Pipeline and Tahiti

When the Gath came in and some stated wearing them but it's a personal choice and another similarity with snowboarding that one place made you wear them and now it's the norm just to wear a helmet. With wingding it's pretty much standard especially getting in and out of lake with board upside down and foil next to your head.

With the Gul I like the dial fit on the back like a MTB helmet but as John 340 says try before you buy as heads and helmets are all different shapes so get what fits you. If you are worried about kiters, then get one. After a few times it will become normal.

Gath helmets, support Aust business if it fits comfy. Try before you buy as we all shave different shaped heads.

I have two versions this helmet, a large and small, yellow for max visibility. My head circumference is 60cm, and the small/medium fits quite well. I use the larger one as a spare, or let my bother borrow it. The rear ratchet is pretty well made, and it's literally the same shell and liner materials as a Gath Gedi which I tried and returned because it was not any better for 4x the cost. I'm a fan of the removable ear inserts, helps prevent the classic "wipe out and slam head sideways into wave filling ear with water" thing. Even without the ear inserts, the plastic ear guards have saved me from a foil tip stabbing my ear while walking out a number of times. Fun Fact, I have personally watched a teammate get knocked unconscious and thrown out of a dinghy by a boom in college sailing, (they recovered). But at typical foiling speeds, there's definitely potential to smack you noggin into your gear hard enough to put you in a bad way, doubly so if there is no help close at hand to quickly pull your unconscious body out of the water. [edit] One of the reasons the pro's at cloudbreak don't have more safety gear is because they always have people on jet skis only 10 seconds or so away, ready to pull them out of the water... not the case for most of us out there... [/edit]

I often am the only one out on the water at my local spots, so I consider a helmet and PFD critical, even on light wind days. I don't really notice I'm wearing them most of the time, especially with a nice compact sailing pfd like the Zhik P3. The front pocket on the PFD is great for my keys, a torx L-wrench to re-tighten any lose bolts, and on occasion my handheld VHF for extra safety.
Also, write your name and # on the back of the helmet (and other gear), it comes in handy.

TL;DR, it's a good helmet, would buy again.