Life Jackets and Competitive Windsurfing

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WindsurfingQLD > 9 months ago, 2 Mar 2016

grich62

QLD

676 posts

29 Mar 2016 4:37am

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cammd said..

Shifu said...
I never go out without my lifey. Essential piece of equipment. Lean, muscular, athletic ppl like me don't float unassisted.

me to, sailed today with my 12yo we both put life jackets on with out even thinking its just a given.

I got seperated from my gear once in the middle of Waterloo bay during a race and no matter how I tried I couldnt catch it, after swimming hard for fifteen minutes I was stuffed and was glad I had a jacket on. Didnt have to worry about drowning so my full concentration could be focused on sharks.

i wonder how much your life jacket slowed you down while swimming after your gear.i also had to chase down my gear over the years and would not catch if i had jacket on due to the drag and floating in a incorrect swimming position how long did it take for the safety boat to get to you!.when first started sailing i had a life jacket with a harness hook on it it use to make it impossible to catch your board when a uni broke.i have no problems with people using them and as get older will wear one but it will be a blowup one as i put a lot off personal circumstances in to my decision

grich62

QLD

676 posts

29 Mar 2016 4:48am

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cammd said..

grich62 said...

cammd said..
no difference to you, but a big difference to those left behind. Imagine the enquiry where the organiser is trying explain to the coroner why they let you participate with a non approved life jacket.

The lawyers will rip them to shreds, the insurance will be wiping their hands and the police or coroner will be looking to press charges for negligence. The poor organiser will ruined and no one will ever step up to organise an event again.

So its not just about your safety its about protecting the people who step up to organise events as well. Show them you appreciate their efforts by respecting the rules they set.

a blow up is still a approved pfd in qld so thats not correct.

just over a year ago I went on a extended organised motorcyxle ride around Tassie. The organiser required that an approved offroad motorbike boot be worn . That is not just any approved motorbike boot but one that met an offroad standard. There was no law requiring me to wear that particular standard of boot off road it was just the rules set by the organiser because they determined it was prudent.

sounds like the safety guy over though that one, lucky he didn,t make you wear full mx gear.proper mx boots have smooth soles or did he mean enduro boots with grip did a lot of people slip over in the rain and mud

grich62

QLD

676 posts

29 Mar 2016 12:32pm

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Paddles B'mere said..
That's absolutely right Cam, I don't participate in any organised or competitive windsurfing yet but I used to be on a sailing club committee and we used to get similar questions like "why can't we have crew members in a race that aren't silver card holders?" can you imagine what would happen if that sailor were to drown or be seriously hurt and we'd let him/her race? The insurance companies would be coming after me and my house, there's no way I'd want that so that's why we stick to the rules.

Hey Grich, have a look at some of the level 50 dinghy vests out there. I'm using a basic Huchwilco PFD3 vest at the moment and don't like it because it's just too bulky but I'm going to try the Burke 'One Make' dinghy vest as a more cost effective alternative to the more expensive windsurfing 'brand name' vests, Marlin make a neoprene vest as well that's not very bulky.

i think i found the vest in your description, any idea who sells them in townsville so i can try on xl might not be big enough.i do like the side entry idea but wonder how you line up the zip with one hand.

Paddles B'mere

QLD

3586 posts

29 Mar 2016 1:23pm

I was looking at them from Whitworths, they have a shop in Cairns if you're up for a drive. Do you guys have a big chandlery of some sort in Townsville? Have a look at both the 'E50' and the 'D50' model on the Burke website, they are both level 50 and look to have plenty of room with a 136cm maximum chest measurement on the largest size. I'm looking more towards the E50 now as it looks shorter and will interfere less with my harness.

grich62

QLD

676 posts

29 Mar 2016 6:33pm

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Paddles B'mere said..
I was looking at them from Whitworths, they have a shop in Cairns if you're up for a drive. Do you guys have a big chandlery of some sort in Townsville? Have a look at both the 'E50' and the 'D50' model on the Burke website, they are both level 50 and look to have plenty of room with a 136cm maximum chest measurement on the largest size. I'm looking more towards the E50 now as it looks shorter and will interfere less with my harness.

no only bcf and some caravan come boat shops the chandlery is not that stocked unless you are hauling out a boat. thanks for the info anyway i will keep a eye out . if you get one see if you can swim fast in it and let me know cheers

waricle

786 posts

29 Mar 2016 5:56pm

Jesus!!!!
Suck it up you princesses.
The PFD helps the retrieve your body!!!

grich62

QLD

676 posts

29 Mar 2016 8:27pm

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waricle said..
Jesus!!!!
Suck it up you princesses.
The PFD helps the retrieve your body!!!

as i said just check under my helmit the body should be there unlees the shark beats you to it

Paddles B'mere

QLD

3586 posts

29 Mar 2016 9:52pm

I can tell you in advance how fast I will be able to swim in it .............. slow, but I don't intend to swim laps in it, I just want it to not get in the way too much and to float my unconscious body for the rescuers if I get a boof to the head.

remo81

QLD

678 posts

29 Mar 2016 9:52pm

Dude, if I see some one standing on the beach or in the water with an inflatable life jacket, watch out because I'm going to pull that cord!!!

Its a little game we play at work. Pull the cord and run. lol

See all you cord boys on the water. haha

grich62

QLD

676 posts

30 Mar 2016 4:14am

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remo81 said..
Dude, if I see some one standing on the beach or in the water with an inflatable life jacket, watch out because I'm going to pull that cord!!!

Its a little game we play at work. Pull the cord and run. lol

See all you cord boys on the water. haha

hpoe you an,t in/ the army or work in a grenade factory

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