I'm hoping to get out on the water this summer and I've only been kite landboarding for the past 3 years. I have a dakine pyro waist harness... do i need an impact vest? What about lifevests? Does anyone fly with a life vest or is that too cumbersome? What about good brands on wetsuits.... There's a lotta crappy made chinese knock-off stuff out there, what good brands should I be shopping for?

Depends where you are flying... it's always worthwile to have extra flotation. How much you need depends on your water (salt or fresh) and the wetsuit you have. There was a thread on this in the past few week, i recall.

Should also get a water helmet, like a protec ace stule, if you are using a landbased helmet. Water helmets are generally solid foam and won't hold water

As for wetsuits, depends on your water temp what you'll need. I'm *guessing* that the water is relitavly cold if you will be flying in ID that you'd want a 4/3. If you'be got warmer and a good tolerance water a helmet and flotation is all you need. I've really been liking my xcel x-zip, but also found that o'neil's pattern fits my rockin XL/S. The thing with wetsuites, imho, it that it's all abut fit. you need to try it on and see what work. you'll probably end up unhappy buying off the net if you don't already know what works for you. I'd reccomend going local and with a major brand. If your water is really cold then you might wat booties. If you have a local shop, they should be able to tell you what ppl generally are using in the area.

Thanks arkay. I'm thinking the 4/3 probably will be a good idea. Where does the extra flotation come from? The wetsuit or the impact vest?

I'll look into the xcel x-zip and o'neil. water helmet is a good idea as well :D. Thanks again

Wetsuit will provide some flotation because it is less dense than water. Xcel, O'neil, rip curl, hotline, patagonia, quiksilver, and body glove are all good wetsuit brands... If I were to pick tops it would be xcel patagonia and rip curl, but that's just my 2 cents

Lessons ?

I use a Neil Pryde high hook float vest. I've been in a couple of predicaments that could have gotten pretty harry if I hadn't had my vest on. Suffice it to say, I won't kite without it. I wear a seat harness and it doesn't get in the way at all. I've never worn a waist harness so I can't answer to how it would work with that. The bottom of the vest sits about midway between my belly button and my sternum.

http://www.mackiteboarding.com/cgi-bin/shopper.cgi?preadd=ac...

Right on that definitely gives me something to go on. Blade, I've got a few friends here that are going to show me the ropes. I'll look into a float vest just cuz, thanks again!