[Paddlewise] Helmet and nose

JCMARTIN43_at_aol.com (Jack Martin) wrote:

>
>(I do not easily forget one such landing, where the big dumper
>which followed me in overtook my wave just as I was preparing to exit.
>Unfortunately, my nose arrived at that nice, solid foredeck a fraction of
>a
>second before my helmet rim did.

Raising the question:  How often do you need a helmet when you DON'T also
need an attached facemask?

I've resisted adding a mask to my helmet, mostly because I would feel
self-concious that I don't measure up to the more hardcore WW paddlers who
most often sport them.  

However, there must be more risk of snagging the mask on something
and tweaking your neck.  Difficult to know the exact risk, so I guess it's
a personal decision whether the reduced risk of breaking a nose or tooth,
or even losing an eye, is worth any increased chance of spinal injury, say
if you're facemasked by an irate boardsurfer!

Mike Wagenbach

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