Question! Why dont you wear a helmet?

TWIN-FIN · Since 24 May 2006 805 Posts Portland, OR Hot Monkey

Ok, I know it gives you the knob statius, wearing one but we all know, SHIT HAPPENS really fast.
I can tell you that during my 4yrs year of kitting that I have had three or four unexpected malfunctions that happened supper fast. No. let me restate that, HYPER MEGA FAST!!!!! Im talking about shit going down on shore. Im OK with getting launched in the water but, I got launched at stevenson 2 yrs ago and I feel very lucky that I was wearing a helmet.
But as I got more experience and confidance, I just quit wearing a helmet.

I have been thinking about sporting one again. I have been doing alot more surf style riding and been getting clocked by my board and my bar. Go a bit of a shiner last week as the board smacked me in the side of the head.

The coolest helment wearing motherfuckenbadass is Gman. He absolutly f-en kills it, layen down the strapless style.

Im going to give it a go again and see how I feel about the whole helmet wearing issue.

One additional benifit from wearing a helmet is that you will be way more agressive and try more tricks without the thoughts in the back of your mind.......what if?

Rant over........for now

Scribble · Since 18 Nov 2005 636 Posts NoPo Addicted

I hate it, but I started wearing one recently. I don't sport it at Sauvie in light wind, but I am sporting it everywhere else.

Andy

C Johnson · Since 17 Apr 2009 854 Posts Seattle Opinionated

I wear one when I use my helmet cam. other then that I tend to avoid using it.

I like the wind in my hair and the strap usually gives my neck a rash.

weak answers considering it could save my life but...meh....those are my excuses Laughing

Blue · Since 03 Jul 2007 469 Posts I used to be Obsessed

"Today's kids are way too soft. : : : For one thing, there's too much
emphasis on safety and safety equipment: childproof medicine bottles,
fireproof pajamas, child restraints, car seats. And helmets! Bicycle,
baseball, skateboard, scooter helmets. Kids have to wear helmets now for
everything but jerking off."
-- Carlin

$ociopath · Since 28 Nov 2007 523 Posts Twilight Zone Addicted

local skateboard shops have the stripped down super light models for 30$ wasn't wearing mine today and got a small bump on the head from my board.I usually wear mine 50% of the time.guess i might as well sport it all the time since i paid for it. you just can't help feeling kookish in one.

lks · Since 06 Nov 2007 117 Posts Anchorage, Alaska Stoked

"It's your head."

TWIN-FIN · Since 24 May 2006 805 Posts Portland, OR Hot Monkey

In then motorcycle industry their is an old saying "Id rather sweat then bleed" referring to wearing protective gear verses shorts and flip flops Laughing

To me its just a matter of time before something happens. I think, that as a kitter you have to understand that their is an inherent risk to this type of behavior, you either:
Accept a calculated risk with no protection, or

Accept a calculated risk with protection.

Believe me, I know first hand how important proper protection is from beginner to expert rider.

SHIT HAPPENS

jcohenx · Since 28 Aug 2007 250 Posts Portland Obsessed

If you're willing to spend upwards of $3k to $4k on kiting gear what's another $100 for a helmet?

If your chin strap gives you a rash, it's probably either a cheap strap not designed for water, not fitted properly, or your strap is showing excessive wear.

I remember as recently as 5 years ago nobody wore helmets skiing or snowboarding, now I see more than 50% of riders on the mountain sporting some type of hard cover over their dome.

C Johnson · Since 17 Apr 2009 854 Posts Seattle Opinionated

um...strap rash is due to none of the above.

its a pro-tec wake helmet designed for water use

strap looks the same way it did when it was brand new and the helmet is the right size even though the adjustments on the strap tend to loosen up in the water as I ride.

not sure what's causing it to chafe but hopefully I'll figure it out eventually.

only thing I can think of is that maybe the added weight of the gopro camera on top makes the helmet wobble back and forth a little more possibly causing more rubbing on my neck.

EdG · Since 19 Dec 2005 425 Posts Just a Kook that's Obsessed

I wear one most of the time on the water just because i had a leash for too long. But I hate wearing one on my motorcycle Evil or Very Mad

Maybe it's just I'm told to by the government. Mad

Wind Slither · Since 04 Mar 2005 2625 Posts The 503 METAL

I don't wear one kiting because I don't feel the need most of the time...however, yesterday at the Sandbar? Probably wouldv'e been a good idea... Shocked

Must separate the church and skate!

Why don't we put pads on the kids?
Helmets, head gear and mouth pieces!
Then we could pad the floor and walls,
Put cameras inside bathroom stalls
We make sure only nice bands play,
Make every show a matinee
Teach kids to be all they can be,
And we could sing my country tis of thee
Sweet land of liberty

When did punk rock become so safe?

scottman · Since 08 Jun 2007 150 Posts hillsboro Stoked

A helmet will reduce the probability that you get knocked out and a life jacket may keep your head above water if you do get knocked out. The protec ace water helmet is a good one. It does not give the whiplash of the bigger helmets. Bigwinds carries a NeilPryde kiteboarding vest that is low profile with a harness hook cut out.

kiterron66 · Since 18 Jun 2007 13 Posts spi New Member

In my SEAL and skydiving days I wore my motorcycle helmet while jumping. One day a new jumper landed on the concrete runway and there was an awful THACK. We all thought that was the end when he hit his head. He got up after a minute or so and his Motorcycle helmet was seriously caved in on one side but he was fine. I can't remember if he went up and jumped again. He needed a new helmet but he was totally ok.
I still wear helmets for several reasons.
When I kitesurf, once in a while I take a real hit from the board when I am getting worked, most of the time I ride strapless no leash.
I ride alot, I'm retired, and it gives a bald head great sun protection. Since my youth I've always been outdoors alot. Skin Cancer has struck 3 times, not a big deal but I cover up as best I can.
The color makes you easier to see when you are floating away from your equipment.
Collision protection
What is a good helmet?
I think the ProTech, Gath, etc. helmets offer little protection. It is a plastic shell with poor padding. Would you wear one of these playing football?
The best one I've located is the "Sweet" Kayking helment. It is about $250, which depends how important you value your brain. The manufacturer says when the lining is dented by a shock the helmet should be repaced. This hasn't happened to me.
I have the only Lime Green helmet so my friends can spot me

windwatcher · Since 18 Aug 2005 26 Posts B.C. Canada

I am in my fifth year of kite boarding and have worn a helmet and impact vest from day one. A close friend wore a helmet, but no impact vest until he fractured his ribs and punctured his lung (spent 1 week in the hospital). First thing I asked him was if he learned anything, he said yes and now he wears both. Like it's been stated earlier shit happens so fast. I've spent the last 28 yrs. of my life as an ambulance attendant and had to intubate more unconscious head injuries that could have been prevented with a helmet. We in the ambulance business call it culling the herd (dumb ones are killed off leaving the smart ones to pass on smarter genes to the herd). I'm 54 years old now and have done sports all my life and have never been in a sport that has been so concerned about how they look. It seems the main stream kite boarder has the the mentality of a 12 year old girl. How do I look now, do I fit in, will everybody like me. Grow up, or end up in a wheel chair or died. It leaves more room on the water for me, because I hope to be doing this into my 80's. You may be smiling behind my back at what a kook I look like , but I'm looking back at you think there goes another guy thinking he's cool but is reality is a just a little short in the gene pool. Remember 28 yrs. of seeing it first hand tells me I've got my shit together with the helmet and the impact vest. Learn from other's knowlege, or first hand by injury, which is the more intelligent route.

DROCK999 · Since 31 May 2007 852 Posts Left Coast Opinionated

Beats drooling into a cup for the rest of your life

Sella · Sun Aug 02, 09 11:16 am

Right on Twin-Fin.....SHIT HAPPENS. I'm enjoying everyone in agreement the power can come so fast there is nothing our finely tuned cat-like kiter reflexes can do about controlling it.

Helmets are never kooky and if Ruben wore one....we would all be wearing one I bet.

moondog · Sun Aug 02, 09 9:00 pm

None of you young bucks mentioned sun protection. After 10 years of skin cancer removal from face and dome, I never leave home without one. I was invincible in my 20's and 30's but am now paying for my ignorance on sun protection.