My way to feel safer ....

http://www.onyxoutdoor.com/product/452078/3001GRY/_/M-24_SUP...

Dunno...maybe for kite surfing, but if you're tumbling inside some 20 footer, it might be a lot to fumble for..

totally agree .....
I was looking at it as kiteboarder companion ......

price? im guessing a couple thousand......

They're only letting pros use them so far - prob. not on the market yet,

ive pondered this subject allot. honestly i think a small $9.99 mouth inflated doughnut style inner tube from walmart would be a great thing to have in the back pocket. I personally would like to be sitting "out" of the water as opposed to "in" the water. ...
you know those pesky blacktips and bull sharks ....

Shane Dorian is an amazing surfer, he has my respect for that, but I have my doubts about his idea:

First, when you're caught in the "crunch zone" of big waves, the absolute last thing you want is to be on the surface of the water. The only (relatively) safe place to be is as deep as you can go, grab hold to a coral head if you can, and wait for the wave to pass. Then scramble to the surface, swim like hell, and repeat when the next wave comes. If you're on the surface, you'll either get pounded by the lip of the wave or go over the falls and then pounded by the lip. Been there more times than I care to think about and when it happens you don't want anything to make you float, not even your board.

Second, the floatation is centered on your back which would make your body float -face down-. If you're teetering on consciousness and needed help this would almost assuredly cause you to drown. That's why USCG approved PFD's (personal floatation devices) are required to float you in a position where your head and face are above the surface of the water. This device could actually be more dangerous than wearing nothing at all.

I'm no Shane Dorian but I've been surfing for 30+ years and there's no way I would wear that thing in the water.

Quote:

Originally posted by bigkahuna Shane Dorian is an amazing surfer, he has my respect for that, but I have my doubts about his idea: First, when you're caught in the "crunch zone" of big waves, the absolute last thing you want is to be on the surface of the water. The only (relatively) safe place to be is as deep as you can go, grab hold to a coral head if you can, and wait for the wave to pass. Then scramble to the surface, swim like hell, and repeat when the next wave comes. If you're on the surface, you'll either get pounded by the lip of the wave or go over the falls and then pounded by the lip. Been there more times than I care to think about and when it happens you don't want anything to make you float, not even your board. Second, the floatation is centered on your back which would make your body float -face down-. If you're teetering on consciousness and needed help this would almost assuredly cause you to drown. That's why USCG approved PFD's (personal floatation devices) are required to float you in a position where your head and face are above the surface of the water. This device could actually be more dangerous than wearing nothing at all. I'm no Shane Dorian but I've been surfing for 30+ years and there's no way I would wear that thing in the water.

good points, i agree.......