Hi, what type of helmets do people wear windsurfing? Pros and cons? Any advice, information appreciated, thanks.
Gath is good - not sure about any others. They have a couple of models - I have the standard.
Pros:
Gives you some protection from a mast in the head, etc (obvious I know).
Gives you some sun protection.
Easy to attach your GoPro to.
The lighter coloured ones (white is common) make you more visible when you're in the water.
Cons:
A bit more difficult to hear people. (Not a biggy).
I know a guy who reckons his helmet saved his teeth once - so he swears by them. When the wind gets up I always wear mine. Recommended.
Skateboarding pro tec. Solid. Cheap. About $70. Make sure you don't get one with water absorbent lining. Lasts ages.
I came across a company called Bern who do a H20 helmet it sounds good, does anyone know anything about them or maybe have one they could provide some advice /information on? Thanks.
Photo below is a good reason for wearing a helmet. I have been useing a Gath helmet with wisor for years. Mainly for sun protection at first plus the safety factor, have had a few occasions when I have been hit on the head by the mast. Glad I had the helmet on.
Got a nice dent in my head from that one (99.999999999% certain that it saved my life)
after stuffing Nº 3 with another catapult into the mast.
Elmo, just curios,
what were you doing/how fast were you going when you managed that?! :S
I've got a Gath helmet that I've been wearing for many years, and I'm pretty sure it saved my life when I broke by neck several years ago. I figure there was enough padding to absorb some of the shock and save my life.
Since then I have had some cracks on the head by the mast and boom as Elmo has had. I recommend that all sailors were helmets, I find it hard to understand why they dont, they dont cost a lot and once you get used to them they are very comfy and you feel maked without them 
........ and they stop your head from getting sunburnt of your are a little hairless like me
I wear the Gath with sunvisor too! Nice to get the head a little sun protection and while I haven't managed to crack the helmet, I have definately rattled my skull a few times trying to headbutt the mast!
Definately worth the small cost!
Some fellows in the US use a baseball batting helmet, it has a visor and can come with a face guard.
I agree about the importance of wearing a helmet.....although, I was wearing a helmet last year when I smashed my nose. Some hard bit of my gear smacked me across the nose and eye socket just under the helmet. If I had been hit lower I would probably be a gummy old bugger now having to wear false teeth. I felt safe in the helmet until that point.
I too have split a helmet, although it was a bike helmet when I stacked on my bike and head planted the pavement. A lucky save that one I think.
I now wear an ice hockey helmet from www.hockeymonkey.com which only cost $49 but the postage from the US was $70. It has a polycarbonate visor which is designed to take force of a hockey stick or puck so should be strong. Now my slightly left leaning schnoz and teeth are protected. As are my ears from sun damage and causing extra drag.
helmets ?? are we doing the same sport ??
ps : okay for extreme wave riders and top end speed sailors... but what's next.... airbags ?
Anyone had a go at those Aldi ones on special at the moment, said to be for rock climbing. Feel pretty light, so may be comfortable while sailing?
Only $15. Quess that says it all....
Cheers
Know of anyone knocked inconscious and drowned while sailing ?
I don't...
But to each their own....
I wear a Gath...I look a little silly in it, but I'm also pretty reckless & have a tendency where "my ambition outweighs my ability" and need a bit extra protection. I've hit my head a few times and even have a small crack in the helmet so will update it soon.
Also as mentioned above - protects the dome from sunburn.
Dunno whether a helmet would make any difference if they collided? Maybe easier to find your head... Scary stuff.
i split the skin on mu skull before, not life threatening or serious but, could have done without the incovenience
Protec Wake - Has removable ear pads.
Initially had a soft helmet (like a rugby helmet) for warmth and relief from surfers ear. Nice and light - it blew away down the beach when I came in for a break and was never seen again 
Certainly saved me from a few bruises and realised when looking for a replacement that hard shell gives so much more protection. Also rdm masts hurt a lot more and I have been saved a few times since. Saying that, it didn't protect me from a broken nose a few weeks back.I have managed to catapult into the boom nose first.
As someone said you can't swim when unconscious and it only takes one lung full to drown, and yes I'm pretty sure I bought a board off a guy that drowned a few years later on Auckland harbour - coroner believed most likely from being knocked out - very experienced sailor too.
