I am going to start wearing my Gath helmet more after some near incidents.

One thing I hate about wearing it is the wind noise whistling around the helmet and my ears. Is there anyway to reduce this or even stop it or do you just get use to it. (The helmet is an old gath but not sure that theyve chnaged much).

I was thinking of padding the ear area more but worried it will dull my senses - stupid question but I want the secuirty of a helmet but without the extra noise - any solutions?

cheers
shaka

I can't say I notice it with mine, but I ALWAYS wear my helmet, and its not a Gath helmet, but an Ice Hockey helmet.

I did notice the other day whilst sailing at WSM that it does restrict my vision a bit though (probably due to the fact that I wear a helmet with a full face mask!). I hadn't noticed it before as theres rarely anyone else on the water here, but as it was busy at WSM I had to look around before gybing and noticed then that my peripheral vision was restricted.

Still, thats better than knocking yourself out and drowning I guess.

Al.

Don't even think twice about wearing a helmet...just do it!
I think Shem posted a fact that aprox 70% of kitesurf fatalities around the world were from head injuries.
Kite-surfing is a fantastic sport but it can be dangerous if you take things for granted.
Also, always make sure your safety or quick release is working properly.

I use a Gath & it does make it sound a lot windier than it is due to the ear holes i guess which can be a pain,cant imagine it would survive a big impact but is a lot better than nothing,ive been glad to have it on a few times now

Spencer - thats what i mean about the gath - it can sometimes make me lose my sense of the stength of the wind or gusts. I also love the sound of the waves breaking aorund me when sailing and I dont hear them when ive got the helmet on.

looking at the wind charts for this weekend it looks like we should all be wearing helmets

Check out the webcams on a1surf.com also another local one for me is www.sharkbait.co.uk (brighton pier webcam).

rigbrother is giving exceptional readings for w/e!!! Wahooooo!!!!
(thing is i'l probably bottle it and stay at home )

Have a good one guys/gals - the diaries will tell the tales!

Good to see so many wearing helmets.
Its too easy to assume that nothing bad is going to happen.

Itchy and Scratchy ought to use them

Have a good weekend y'all



[Edited on 19-3-2004 by Dave]

Well I couldn't make it to the BST Borth Bash last weekend but as I sit here at work fiddling with the four stitches in the back of my head from my errant surfboard fin, I am DEFINITELY investing in a helmet!

So far I've seen the Gath available for around £75 (non-visor version) - anyone seen a better price?

[Edited on 31-3-2004 by markh]

I use a Gecko, they're slightly cheaper around £60.00 I think.

the Surfstore catalogue has the Gath at £69 and a couple of other helmets cheaper. There is one for £35 that looks a compromise between a Gath and one of those foam helmets that you only make the mistake of buying once!

Robin hood watersports got them priced at £64.95 on their website, I bought mine from Windsurfers world in Bristol They done it at £55,

I haven't been wearing one for a while, but after today's incident I think I'll have to buy another ice hockey helmet with a face mask.

Al.